chapter fourteen
Jack
I set my phone down on my bedside table after having a text exchange with Katrina Bradshaw. I walk into my bathroom to brush my teeth before bed. Katrina has me on a ride like the loop-de-loo at the summer fair. Not by any fault of hers, she had me thinking Michael was her boyfriend. Then she gave me the complete cold shoulder. I could have used a parka to withstand the frostbite she was throwing my way. Maybe the times we have been together haven’t been as meaningful for her as they have been to me.
Now she texts me out of the blue at what would normally be bedtime to take me up on my offer to grab pizza together. I hope I wasn’t too forward excluding Michael. I just didn’t want him to feel like a third wheel. Who am I kidding? I’m hoping the sparks between me and Katrina will rekindle tomorrow. I won’t push her, but I need to see if she’s feeling what I am. I don’t want to let her go back to L.A. without us trying to figure out our feelings for one another.
* * *
It’s a good day. The shop is buzzing with morning customers, the weather isn’t too hot, and I’m taking Katrina to pizza. Bryce keeps looking at me as though a question mark is sitting over his head.
“Bryce, what’s up?
“Nothing … It’s just I just never saw you this happy.”
“Oh, is that so? So you’re calling your boss a grump?” I rib him a little.
“No. It’s just … No. That’s not … Jack I didn’t mean …”
“I’m kidding. I’m in a better than average mood. You got me there.” I feel like everything is looking up right now. Katrina going out with me feels like something inside me fell into alignment. I wonder if she knows how much power she has over my mood. I’d better keep her from meeting Bryce, or she’ll get the inside scoop on just how much. Honestly, I’m feeling like the guy who risked everything to start his dream business is just about to take the greatest risk of his adult life. I only hope it pays off as well as the first risk did.
Speaking of meeting Bryce, now that I know Katrina isn’t dating Michael, I need to tell her I own Ferris Wheel Coffee and that I’m relocated here now. I don’t want to deceive her by withholding all of that. I really don’t. I will tell her. Just not tonight. She just went from cold to warming up and I don’t want to drop a bomb on her and send her running. More than anyone, I want her to know what an impact she had on me – at every level. When things are a little more certain, I’ll for sure divulge everything. Tonight is the first time I feel like we’re finally on the same page and I don’t want to overwhelm her when things are just turning a corner for us.
Wednesdays I close up Ferris Wheel at four o’clock. Today I head straight home so I can take a shower and get ready to pick up Katrina. At six o’clock I walk up the steps to the Inn. Some clever person named it the Gallat-Inn, after the Gallatin Valley which, of course, is where Bozeman is situated. People around here have some unspoken contest going to see who can pick the most corny and localized name for their businesses.
I knock on the main door of the inn like a high schooler about to meet the parents of his new girlfriend. Then I remember it’s an inn and I open the door and walk into the lobby.
The whole place is decorated in Western chic style with big woven rugs, oversized leather couches and chairs, rugged hand-hewn wooden side tables, and lamps with canvas shades. I’m standing by the living room area of the lobby as Katrina comes down the stairs. She looks amazing. Is it even possible that she gets more beautiful over time? I guess all the outdoor shoots and this good Montana air are giving her a special glow. I can’t take my eyes off her, that’s all I know.
We share a slightly awkward moment. If she feels any of the same combination of hope and hesitation I do, it’s understandable why she slightly averts her gaze, those beautiful lashes batting against her cheeks. The nervousness passes as soon as I speak. “Hey, Katrina. You ready to go see what all the hype is about local pizza?”
“You know it. I’m starved.”
“Okay, let’s go then. I’m parked right out front.” I hold the door for her, and she walks out past me. I catch a slight hint of whatever perfume she is wearing. She smells like honeysuckle and maybe vanilla and some other scent that I think is uniquely Katrina.
I have an R&B song playing on the radio in my car. Katrina starts singing along while we drive. I’m not kidding when I say it’s about the cutest thing I have ever seen. She can’t sing – at all – which makes it all the more endearing for some reason. Just when I think I’ve discovered all the sides of this woman she pulls something like this and my list for making something work with her gets even longer.
The rational side of my brain tells me a relationship between us won’t work. We’re both in our late 20s. She lives in L.A., and from what I can surmise, her job, which is her passion, thrives partly because she lives there. The rest of the time she’s traversing the globe like the free spirit she was born to be. I’m not about to let go of the life I’m reestablishing here in Bozeman. I love everything about this place and I’m finally actually pursuing my dream. Still, destiny seems to keep thrusting us together, and I can’t seem to abandon the idea of cultivating something deeper with Katrina.
I find parking right on Main Street and open Katrina’s door for her. We walk into Red Tractor Pizza together. “So, Katrina, about this pizza. I understand they make their dough from scratch and serve it fresh from the brick oven. The place has atmosphere and the pizza speaks for itself.”
“I’m looking forward to trying it.”
“Let’s grab a place to sit. Do you want a booth or a table?”
“I prefer a booth.” We head to the corner where a booth is empty.
The waitress comes over. We get the Mediterranean which is loaded with veggies and has some Kalamata olives on top.
I say, “I am so glad you decided to take me up on going to dinner. I wasn’t sure you were going to say yes.”
“I’m glad we’re here together too. It’s really good to see you again.” Kat looks at me with a combination of hesitance and relief.
“So tell me about your shoots. What have you loved about Montana so far?”
“This week we went out to a ranch. I’m not a stranger to ranches. I grew up in Texas. Still, it’s been a while since I was on one. The guys gave me opportunities for some great shots of them riding, roping, just hanging around the barn, typical images with them putting one boot up on the fence. I got a bunch I really think are going to work well.” She beams.
“Sounds like a great day. Does it wear you out?” I can’t take my eyes off her.
“It does. And I love it, you know?”
“I do. There’s nothing like spending a day doing what you love.” I think of the shop. “What have been some of your other favorite shoots?” I’m curious to know what she loves about my home state.
“Just about any of the rivers and waterfalls. Stunning, really. I love shooting water with light coming at various angles. Playing with the speed of my shutter to get different effects. We had a few days out on the plains outside town to catch some pictures of buffalo.”
“That sounds amazing. I’d love to see your work if you have time to share it. What’s next for you?”
“Michael and I have plans to go to Yellowstone to get pictures of geysers and the wildlife that make the park their home.”
“You know Caleb’s fire station is near the western entrance of Yellowstone – my brother, Caleb.”
“I remember you mentioning him when we were in Santa Monica. So tell me about you and Caleb.” Katrina leans her elbow on the table and puts her chin in her hand as she tilts her head at me.
“He’s really all the family I have left now that Mom passed. Even though we’re only two years apart, we never really had any competition between us. We’re just so different our interests and abilities ran in different directions. I’ve always had a guiding influence in Caleb’s life, but when I think of it, he is one of the first people I turn to if I want someone t
o shoot straight and give me some solid advice.”
“I love hearing about your relationship with him. I always wished I had a younger brother.”
“Well, honestly, he’s lived a far more adventuresome and daring life than I have. Plus, he was a bit crazy as a kid. Dad used to say if you couldn’t see or hear Caleb, you better go check to find out what he was up to.” She laughs. That laugh. It makes me feel everything is right in the world. I am sitting with Katrina and she’s laughing.
I remember a funny story about him. “There was this time when Caleb held his breath because Mom said no to dessert. He might have been three or four. He thought he could blackmail her into changing her mind. While she always had a soft spot for Caleb, she wasn’t about to teach him he could manipulate to get his way. He ended up turning a bit blue and gasping for breath.” She laughs again and I feel this deep satisfaction in my heart.
“That’s what it’s like between me and Michael. I don’t have a baby brother, but he fills that spot in so many ways.”
I have to confess. “Do you remember the day I first saw you at Ferris Wheel Coffee?”
“Yes. How could I forget? It was our third chance meeting. I couldn’t believe it was you.”
“I felt the same. I had been thinking of you on and off since our day in Santa Monica.” When I say that, she smiles a little. “ And I was so overwhelmed when I heard your voice and then saw you right there. Anyway, as you were leaving, you said, ‘I’ve got to go. Michael’s waiting in the car.’ You hadn’t ever mentioned Michael to me before, so I assumed …”
She covers her mouth and then laughs. “You thought Michael was my … oh my gosh! Jack, no! Michael is like family, and … just no. There’s nothing between Michael and me. Even if there could be, which there isn’t, that would totally break the man-fast and my mantra …” She looks flustered.
Now I’m intrigued. Man-fast? Mantra? It looks like Katrina said more than she had planned. “What exactly is a man-fast?”
She tilts her head slightly downward toward her lap so I can’t quite lock eyes with her. I don’t want to pry, but she did just blurt out something I can’t leave alone. “Katrina? I promise you can tell me. It won’t change anything. Okay?”
“I don’t really know where to start. It’s just with speed dating and guys who don’t know how to keep their word, then there was Thomas …”
“Slow down. Let’s start at the beginning. We’ve got all night, right?”
Katrina sighs. “I haven’t actually had the best of luck in dating. After all, my lifestyle means I’m on the go a lot. I don’t have time to settle down and do anything on a consistent basis. It suits me, but it sure makes maintaining a committed relationship challenging to say the least.” She blows out a small breath. I smile at her to reassure her I want to hear all she has to say.
“I dated a few guys in college. They weren’t old enough to know their own minds or show me the respect I knew I deserved. Typical college boys out to have a good time, not really intent on building something committed, you know? Once I moved to L.A., some of my friends set me up for speed dating. Let’s just say that wasn’t all it was hyped up to be. I’d rather sit through a horror movie marathon, or have consecutive root canals, or relocate to Antarctica. You get the idea.” She laughs. I nod. Sounds like we had similar L.A. dating experiences.
“I finally got set up with this guy by a friend I know in the industry. She does social media management and arranges product shoots for a few big-name companies. Thomas was in accounting for one of her clients, and for some unknown reason she thought we would hit it off.” She gives me an uneasy smile.
“We went on a few dates and he was pretty easy to talk to. We had some fun together. Mostly, our relationship had to build slowly because I was always heading out somewhere or another. Even when I’m home I’m not always sure what jobs will come up, and I tend to take most of them considering I don’t have a predictable income.”
Her brow furrows a little. Something tells me what’s coming next is hard for her to share. “Anyway, one day I had a shoot in North Hollywood and as I got out of my car, I saw Thomas sitting at a bistro table outside a café. He was getting very friendly with another woman. I just stood there like a giant-mouthed frog fish, gaping at them groping one another in broad daylight. Thomas finally saw me. Can you believe he stood up and tried to introduce the two of us? Later he blamed me for not being willing to settle down and stay home so we could be closer. He said he wouldn’t have wandered if I had been more available.”
I reach over and touch her arm to comfort her. I can’t believe she went through all this.
She continues, “My head knows that’s not an excuse but try to convince my heart of that. Anyway, that’s when the man-fast came into play. I swore off men. I even have a little thing I repeat to remind myself of my resolve.”
At this, she blushes the most adorable shade of pink. I can’t help but smile. Honestly, this track record is awful. I feel like taking names and hiring hit men – especially for Thomas. What kind of fool has the opportunity at a relationship with Katrina and pulls what he did? He didn’t deserve her. That’s for sure, and if she gives me even half the chance she gave Thomas I know right now that I will make sure she never regrets it.
My curiosity is piqued so I ask her, “What’s do you chant to yourself?” She just stares at me like she’d tell me, but then she’d have to shoot me. “Okay. You don’t have to tell me. I’m sure you already shared more than you probably planned to say anyway. The more important question is, if you are on a man-fast, did it start before or after our day in Santa Monica?”
And there goes the pink to the cheeks again. I have this urge to reach over and gently brush the pad of my thumb across them, but I hold back. I feel like a man in the presence of a skittish doe. I don’t want to move too quickly, or she might dart away.
“Before. But, it’s complicated, you know? I didn’t plan on you, and then when you showed up to the wedding, and we danced, and you helped me hide from the bouquet toss, well, I gave you a chance.”
“And Santa Monica was my chance?”
“Yes.” Our eyes lock. I wonder if she’s remembering our connection that day.
“What about now? Is the man-fast in place, or are we on a hiatus?”
“I don’t know. Everything since day one between us has been unpredictable. Funny thing, that’s usually my jam. I love adventure, spontaneity, and not knowing what comes next. It’s just when it comes to my heart, I guess I like something I can count on a little more than what I’ve had so far. I totally blew the first date rule anyway.”
“How so?”
“Well, I talked about all my exes in a matter of five minutes at the start of our first date.” She looks slightly disappointed in herself, then she sighs as if she’s used to her own idiosyncrasies.
I want to let her off the hook and lighten the mood. “Technically, this is our second date, unless Santa Monica doesn’t count. Of course, if you count lunch near Ventura while we waited for your car to cool down, we’re practically an old married couple!”
She laughs. I’m glad, because I can’t believe I just said the word married to her in the fragile condition she’s in right now. “Honestly, Katrina, I’m glad you shared all that with me. I feel like I know you a lot better. And just so you know, if I ever meet Thomas, you better introduce him under a pseudonym because I’m not a violent man, but I think a latent killer instinct might just overcome me in his presence.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
“I really like you, Katrina. I know we haven’t spent a ton of time together, but what we have spent has been more relaxed and enjoyable than what I’ve experienced with any other woman up to this time in my life. I’m not saying that to scare you off, but to let you know how I feel. I want to see if this thing between us can go anywhere. I’d hate not to give it a chance – to give us a chance, you know? And the funny thing about me is I never take risks. I’m a pretty by-the-book
guy in every other area of life. But I guess when it comes to matters of the heart, I’m realizing I might be a bit of a risk taker after all.”
The pizza comes and I almost feel like blurting out something corny like, “Saved by the bell!” But I don’t.
Katrina takes a bite and I sit watching. She closes her eyes and lets out a little moaning noise. I swear I’m never going to eat pizza again without thinking of the way she eats it. “Good?” I ask.
“More than good. It’s the crust. You can always tell when it’s made in-house. Plus, the brick oven. I’m guessing the ingredients are fresh and local too.”
“Yep. All true. I’m pretty sure they should hire you if they ever need to make an ad to promote this place. People would line up around the block after watching you savor your slice.” She giggles. How have I lived not hearing that laugh? It’s so carefree and melodic. It feels like when the sun comes out from behind a cloud. Every time she laughs I feel like the weight of my grief and concerns dissipates.
Our conversation shifts to lighter subjects. Katrina asks me what it was like growing up in Bozeman. She shares about her childhood in Texas. There are quite a few parallels, really. We talk about life in L.A., our favorite venues to see live music, and the best places to drink coffee around the world.
On that subject, Katrina has me hands down. She’s had coffee in such a variety of locations ranging from South America to Asia to Africa. As she talks, I find myself imagining us traveling together one day. My brain doesn’t know how to pace itself when it comes to Katrina.
We settle into an easy feeling between us as we finish our pizza and get the rest to go.
“Are you ready to go home, or would you want to take a stroll up Main?”
Love's Second Chance Page 10
