“Cat. Please. Tell her I cannot wear that. Faux diamond tiara is not my style. And refusal or not, everything I do creates problems with Grandmeel.”
“You’ll have to tell her yourself. Because if you don’t wear it, I’ll have to. If I ever meet a guy I could marry.”
“You’re Grandmeel’s favorite. So it’s only natural she’d expect you to wear it. Which is also why you should tell her I am not wearing it because she won’t hold a grudge against you if you refuse, but she definitely will toward me. And of course you’re going to meet a great guy. Maybe even today, because there’s someone here I want you to meet.”
Cat wandered over to the window, which overlooked a tributary of the lake as it wound its way toward downtown. She was surprised to see Preston half leaning against a picnic table, cell phone to his ear. He was wearing form-fitting dress pants and a white dress shirt that fit elegantly over his muscular chest. A chest, she reminded herself, that she’d seen up close that fateful night a week ago. The memory of his hungry, all-consuming kisses made her bring her fingers to her lips as if those kisses were still imprinted there. The great time they’d had yesterday was such a contrast to anything they’d done before—it had been so much fun to just do something normal together, without the threat of war in the background or the tragedy of everything being different. In fact, they’d had so much fun they’d completely forgotten about buying a wedding gift.
“Cat?”
“Oh, sorry, Maddie. I was just—”
Suddenly her sister was behind her. “Staring at Preston.” Maddie took hold of her sister’s shoulders and shook. “This guy just might make you forget him.”
Oh, right. She was losing track of her goal. “What guy?” she said, trying to sound interested.
Maddie pointed out the window. As they watched, another man strode up to Preston. Preston tucked his phone in his pocket and pushed up from the table. Cat saw the slightest wince as he straightened, one that was quickly masked by a smile. He heartily shook the guy’s hand then drew him into a hug.
“Behold Brady Cosgrove, one of Nick’s close friends from college. He’s here for the wedding…but he came early to interview for the CEO job. He’s coming for dinner tonight at Mom and Dad’s. Grandmeel’s really excited. She’s got high hopes that you two will hit it off. And so do I.”
Oh God. A group matchmaking effort. How pathetic was she, anyway?
Cat looked at the two men below. Both tall, strapping guys. Brady had lighter hair compared to Preston’s deep brown, and it was wavy and longish compared to Preston’s short, no-nonsense cut. He, like Preston, was definitely a man capable of turning heads. But Preston possessed the lethally proud bearing of a warrior, and it was even more evident in his work environment.
Sadly, there was only one man turning her head.
“So I spoke to Derrick,” Maddie said, using the big-sister tone Cat knew so well. “According to him, you and Preston have been spending some time together lately. Do you think with your past history that’s wise?”
“How much do you know?” Cat asked right off the bat. If her siblings had chatted, she could bet the ranch Maddie knew everything.
“Besides the fact that Derrick found you in Preston’s lap? How could I not know about this?”
“You’re getting married Saturday. My problems—”
“Still matter regardless of what’s going on in my life. Don’t you know that by now?”
Cat was grateful for her sister’s concern, but she didn’t want to burden her before the wedding. “We sort of made an arrangement.”
“A what?” Maddie gave her the big-sister look she knew so well—the one loaded with disapproval…and perhaps pity.
“We agreed to let everyone think we were dating until the wedding so we didn’t upset Derrick. I didn’t want to do anything to ruin the wedding. In exchange, Preston offered to introduce me to a couple of nice guys he knew.”
“Couldn’t you have told Derrick the truth?”
Cat stared at her sister. “Remember the cowboy?”
Maddie cringed. “Okay, Derrick would have killed Preston. I get it. But he’s going to anyway once he learns this is all a farce.”
“Thus the plan to find me someone else.”
“That is seriously effed up.” The pitying look was definitely front and center now. “Oh, Cat. You’re playing with fire. But you already know that.”
Cat sighed. “It’s complicated.” Maddie had no clue how much. “But Maddie, we’ve spent some time together and I really feel like…like we’re starting to communicate again.” She felt a blush rise into her face. That sounded lame, but how could she tell her sister she’d felt things with him, sensed things, that made her think that maybe it was possible…
“Have you had a heart-to-heart with him? Did you find out why he ghosted on you?”
“No, but…”
“You always give people the benefit of the doubt. You always think the best of them, Cat, and it gets you hurt every time. All the more reason to step away from Preston and meet somebody else—someone not of Preston’s choosing, because knowing him, I can’t imagine the kind of man he’d choose for you. Probably someone seventy and completely unattractive.”
You have no idea, Cat thought, remembering iPad man.
“I’m telling you,” Maddie said, “Brady is a great guy from a great family. Nick says he has a heart of gold, and he’s at the point in his life where he wants to settle down. Unlike Preston, who has a terrible track record with women.”
Cat sat down on a comfortable sofa against the window. “I can’t help thinking there’s something he’s not telling me. Something preventing him from getting close to me.”
Her sister sighed the kind of sigh Cat knew meant advice was forthcoming. Lots of advice. “He’s told you no in no uncertain terms. Maybe he needs time to get his shit together after all he’s been through. And sometimes after a life-and-death experience, people just decide something’s not right, you know?” She placed a hand on her shoulder. “Forget about him, Cat. Meet Brady. Turn your life in a new direction. Okay?”
Now it was Cat’s turn to sigh. Maddie was practically begging. She knew her sister meant well and just wanted her to move on and be happy—like Maddie was. “Okay, fine. Introduce me.” Maybe Maddie was right. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to meet someone, would it? Besides, seeing Preston’s reaction to her meeting a hot guy under the age of seventy would be very interesting.
Cat eventually left Maddie and wandered into her father’s office, hoping to find Preston there. He was always punctual, but if they didn’t hurry, he was going to miss PT. “Where’s Dad?’ Maddie asked after greeting Rebecca, the gray-haired receptionist who’d been working for her father since 1985.
“In a meeting with Pres—I mean Mr. Guthrie. They should be out in a minute. I swear, knowing you all since you’ve been children makes it all the more hard to believe you’re all grown up now. Who knew that gorgeous stud muffin of a man used to be a wild boy who used to pull your braids and wipe boogers on your sleeve?”
Come to think of it, Preston did have the ability to torment her even way back then. “Do you mind if I grab some coffee while I wait?”
“Help yourself, dear.”
Cat walked over to a coffeepot on a little table against the wall, but judging from the burned smell, it was at least a couple hours old. She made a mental reminder to have Santa bring her father a professional-grade coffee and tea brewer for Christmas. Or sooner. The idea of being able to buy something brought back memories of her botched job interview and a wave of panic that she had nothing else lined up. To distract herself, she poured a cup of the thick, black liquid.
“It’s so nice to see you again,” Rebecca said. “I hope you’re doing okay after—um, you know. Besides being a little on the thin side, you’re looking quite well.”
Cat added powdered creamer, but dark grounds were swirling ominously around the cup.
So her broken engagement was now
the event-that-will-not-be-spoken. “Thanks, but that was almost a year ago. I’m doing fine now.” She liked Rebecca, but she had to find an excuse to leave before the prying started.
Rebecca leaned forward on her elbows and tapped her pen on a stack of papers. “My sister’s got kids in Philadelphia, and she heard Robert’s news.”
Cat stopped stirring and looked up. “What news?”
“Oh, I thought surely you knew. He’s getting married over Labor Day weekend. And his fiancée…she’s pregnant.”
“Oh, that news.” Her hand was shaking so bad, she set down the cup for fear she’d drop it. Pretending to be busy with the coffee, she tried adding sugar, which poured out in a large dump, making it essentially undrinkable, but at this point, she just wanted to survive long enough to bolt out of here. She forced a pleasant smile. “Of course I wish them the best of luck.” She casually took a sip of the slurry and couldn’t help choking. “I’ll wait for Preston in the break room.”
She forced herself to walk at a normal pace into the break room and closed the door. At three thirty in the afternoon, it was empty, so she collapsed into the nearest chair and rubbed her temples. She didn’t still love Robert. If anything, she felt a sense of relief at having dodged something that would have made her miserable in the long run. Mostly she was angry with herself for picking someone so totally wrong. And yes, she was jealous…but not of him. Of his happiness. Of the fact that he had a new baby on the way, the start of a new life she was nowhere near achieving.
“Dammit,” she said out loud, “I should have taken that trip to Hawaii when I had the chance. Why didn’t I?”
Anger turned to sadness. She wanted babies to love, a home of her own, and a life with someone you loved more than anyone. Who loved you for who you were, not for who he wanted you to be.
Instead, here she was, living back in Buckleberry Bend with her parents, out of a job and alone. Ready to watch her sister walk down the aisle with a man whom she was crazy about and who was clearly crazy about her.
To cure her urge toward self-pity, she took another slug of the disgusting coffee.
Someone cleared their throat. Cat looked up, coffee suddenly sloshing onto her blouse.
The woman standing by the coffee maker was blond and buxom, with perfect makeup, her hair done up in a professional-looking bun. “I—I remember you from…from the hospital,” Cat said. “Lacey, right?”
Preston’s personal assistant. She’d been the one to call Cat and tell her Preston was injured, that he’d hurt his knee and suffered a concussion and had lost enough blood to require a transfusion.
Cat had dropped everything that day and left. She’d still been working in Philly, and had gotten in her car and driven the two and a half hours to Walter Reed. She’d sat by his side day and night for two days until he’d finally woken up. Lacey had been there, too, and she’d seemed to be a faithful friend, a longtime employee who hadn’t intimidated Cat even though she was stunningly beautiful.
At the time Cat had interpreted Preston’s stoic demeanor, his distance, as coming from someone who’d been through a huge shock. Who was critically ill. Looking back, however, she’d missed all the signs that he was about to kiss her off. How much Lacey knew of Preston’s personal life she had no idea.
In the break room, Lacey walked over to Cat. She was wearing a beautifully tailored gray business suit and classy high heels Cat herself would have been struggling to walk in. “Great to see you again, Cat.” She smiled and extended her hand.
“You, too,” Cat said. “I’m here to drive Preston to PT. But he said his assistant was coming, so since you’re here, maybe you don’t need me to—”
The door swung open. Preston stood there for a moment, taking in Cat and Lacey, looking a little thrown off guard. “I see you two have met.” He paused. Sort of uncomfortably. Cleared his throat. “Hi, sweetheart.”
Cat felt her face heat up. She was actually a little shocked, but mostly pleased. He’d called her sweetheart, in public! Her heart felt a little swollen; her breath came a little fast. It was a small acknowledgment, a baby step. It proved they were finding their way back to each other. Their day in Charlotte had been amazing, and it really had broken down some barriers between them.
“I’ve missed you,” Preston said. Cat looked up to see his gaze directed not at her but at Lacey. What? He’d just called Lacey sweetheart?
“Well, I’ve missed you too, boss,” Lacey said, her tone all business. “Guess we better get going to that appointment of yours—”
Preston moved forward, and right before Cat’s eyes, he grabbed Lacey around the waist, dipped her a little, and planted a kiss on her lips. Not just any kiss, either. This kiss was big and bold, a grand gesture. Romantic and dramatic at the same time.
Cat blinked. Her mouth fell open. Sweetheart? A ballroom dip? That kind of kiss was not an I-really-missed-my-personal-assistant kind of kiss at all—unless he was getting really personal with her.
Cat must be hallucinating from those coffee grounds she just swallowed, because Preston couldn’t possibly have just kissed this woman. Not after the fantastic time they’d had together yesterday. The lunch, the ice cream, the shopping. She’d thought they were making inroads. Starting to communicate. She’d been a fool.
What was going on here? Preston couldn’t possibly be…oh God. He was fucking his PA. Of course he was. It had never even occurred to her, naive, trusting person that she was. Unbelievable.
She turned toward the door. It was time to go. This amusement park ride was making her seasick with all the ups and downs, and she couldn’t keep spinning in circles. She needed off the carousel.
Lacey stepped forward, blocking her exit. She folded her arms, looking no-nonsense, professional and polished. “Preston,” she said, casting a sympathetic glance at Cat.
He’d embarrassed Lacey, which led Cat to think she was a decent person, but who knew?
“Yes, babe?” he said.
“I have no idea what’s going on, but it needs to stop now. I won’t take part in whatever you’re trying to do here.”
Cat looked from Lacey to Preston. The color in his face was high. She knew him well enough to know he was displeased. He was casting frowning glances at his PA, but she was just standing there rolling her eyes.
“Tell her the truth,” Lacey said, tapping her foot.
Preston rubbed his neck. Shuffled his feet. Looked at the floor. “You know the truth, Lacey. It’s okay to admit we’ve been seeing each other.”
Cat forced herself to maintain an even gait as she headed for the door. She had no idea what this was about but she’d had enough. She’d thrown open the door and stepped into the corridor when she overheard Lacey saying, “If you don’t tell her, I will.”
As soon as Cat reached the end of hall, Lacey caught up with her and motioned her into the supply room. Her clear blue eyes looked troubled, probably from guilt. She reached out a hand and gripped Cat’s arm tightly. “He’s never kissed me before ever. He’s my boss. I don’t know what just got into him.”
“You don’t owe me any explanations.” Cat was done here, and she wanted to leave. Now.
Lacey tried to put a hand on her shoulder, but Cat stepped away and opened the door. “Look, Cat,” she said, “there’s nothing between us, I swear.”
“I’m sorry, Lacey,” Cat said. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“If you don’t believe me, check his wallet.”
The cryptic answer pissed her off. “What?”
“Check his wallet,” Lacey said. “I had to open it when he was in the hospital. What you find there might surprise you.”
Cat left, only to run right into Preston, who was standing in the hall with the man from outside near the picnic table that Maddie wanted her to meet. Dammit, right when she was one door away from the stairs. She struggled to take deep, calming breaths and paste a smile on her face when inside she felt like she was coming down with the plague. Or anything else th
at made you feel like living death.
In contrast to Preston’s concrete-hard stare, this man’s gaze raked over her in blatant appreciation. He was even more handsome up close, with sandy brown hair and a muscular build, but lacking the foreboding power Preston carried like a second skin.
“I’m Brady Cosgrove.” Preston’s companion flashed a brilliant white smile and offered his hand, which she took as she returned a forced smile. “I’m interviewing for the new CEO position.” Maybe he wasn’t as tall or as large as Preston, but he certainly was more pleasant-looking, as Preston wore a deep scowl that would’ve scared her five-year-olds half to death.
“Catherine Kingston. Maddie’s sister.” She could handle saying her name but beyond that, God only knew. She needed to get out of here as soon as possible before she lost it. To scold herself, she gave herself a harsh reminder that she asked for this. For all of it, by getting tangled up with Preston again. But when the chips were down, Kingstons didn’t disappoint other Kingstons, so she faked a smile so this man wouldn’t think any of her family were crazed.
“I know who you are,” Brady said. “You work for the Inquirer. I read the piece your paper did on the revitalization of Kingston Shoes. It’s what first brought the company to my notice. I picked up the phone and called Nick and…here I am.”
“That was a great piece,” she said, still fake-smiling. “I’m so glad you found it useful.”
He had golden brown eyes that reminded her of a tiger. His hand lingered until she broke contact.
Now it was Preston’s turn to clear his throat. “We need to be going, Brady. I’ll look over your file and present your candidacy to the board.” He looked over at Lacey, who was standing behind Cat. “You’ll escort Mr. Cosgrove out, won’t you, Lacey?”
Preston steered Cat down the hall, away from the stairs and her precious escape, before she could even say good-bye. He walked so fast, she had to run a little to keep up despite his impaired gait. At the opposite end of the hall, he got into the elevator and held his hand across the door opening so she could get in. She stared at him from the hallway and crossed her arms.
A Man of Honor Page 9
