It’s the alcohol. It has to be.
“Fine, thanks.”
Susan’s smile slipped as she peered over Kate’s shoulder. “I hope you’re not lying, sis, cause it’s about to get worse.”
“How can it get worse?”
Valerie sent her a sympathetic smile. “Alice is on her way over.”
Despite the hand still on her back, she grew cold. Not her mother-in-law. Not now. Lord, couldn’t they have given her a reprieve for ten minutes? She drained her glass, squared her shoulders, and put on a smile. “Bring it.”
She turned and opened her arms to William’s mother. “Alice, how are you?”
“Kate, it’s been so long.” She hugged her tight.
Alice Henderson’s face showed all of her sixty-seven years, plus a few more. Her once round face was sunken and hollow, her brown eyes devoid of the sparkle they held when Kate first met her. She hadn’t been the same since William died.
After Alice greeted Valerie and Susan, they moved away, taking Jake with them. Kate wished they hadn’t. Alice was bound to see her with him at some point during the evening, and Kate didn’t want her to get the wrong idea.
“Where’s Andrew? You said he was coming.” The eagerness in her voice made Kate’s answer that much more difficult.
“He couldn’t make it.”
“Oh.” Sadness fell over her face. “I haven’t seen them in over a week. I was looking forward to it.”
And here comes the guilt. “Alice, I try to make sure you see them as much as possible.”
“I know. It’s just that they’re the only living link we have to William.”
Kate hoped Alice didn’t say things like that in front of William’s sisters. Leigh, the youngest, would probably brush it off with her evil-bitch nose in the air, but Roxanne, the older of the two daughters, had enough self-esteem issues to fill a football stadium.
Silence grew between them. Kate searched for something to say, but Alice beat her to it.
“I’m sorry you had to come alone.”
Kate’s mouth went dry. “Actually, my—um—friend, Jake, came along.” She gestured toward his seat.
Alice’s eyes shifted to where Kate pointed, and her mouth fell open, her face a horrified mask. “What are you thinking dating a man half your age? Have you no concern for your children?”
Shock silenced her for a moment, and then her resentment grew. “He’s not my date. He’s my boss.”
“Your boss?” Alice slapped her hand over her heart. “My God, what if you lose your job? What have you turned into?”
Apparently, her mother-in-law didn’t hear the not date part. Her disgusted gasps attracted the attention of guests nearby, pissing Kate off further. She stepped closer, her voice a harsh whisper. “Back off, Alice. I haven’t turned into a damn thing. He’s my boss. He’s also my neighbor, and he did me a huge favor by helping me face yet another happy event without William.”
She hated the tremor in her voice at the end of her tirade, but it had an effect on Alice. She grabbed Kate’s hands, squeezing them. “Please forgive me. I’m just upset about not getting to see Andrew, and I took it out on you.”
“Mom, you okay?”
Kate wasn’t sure if she was happy or not at Leigh’s sudden appearance. She never really liked William’s youngest sister, but at least she was a distraction.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Hello, Leigh.” Kate forced a smile. “Is Roxanne here as well?”
“Yeah. She’s at the table, probably shoveling hors d'oeuvres into her mouth.”
God, she couldn’t stand this woman. Roxanne was a plus-size lady, and Leigh never missed an opportunity to remind her of that fact. She didn’t seem to grasp that Roxanne was a thousand times more beautiful than Leigh could ever hope to be.
“Don’t be nasty,” Alice scolded. “I was just explaining how much I missed the boys, and I got rather choked up.”
Leigh glared at Kate, but said to her mother, “Well, try to remember you’re going to have them all to yourself for a whole week.”
“I am, but I wish I could see them sooner. Maybe we could pick them up a day or two early?”
Before she could answer, Leigh butted in. “I’m sure Kate can spare them since she gets them all the time.”
Annoyance simmered in her stomach. Leigh made her sound like a selfish witch who had no sympathy for a grieving mother when just the opposite was true. Kate did all she could to give William’s family time with her sons. One of her biggest fears was her kids forgetting their dad.
“That’s a great idea. You can get a jump on your travel plans and have more time for fun stuff.”
Leigh let out a huff. “Oh, so now we need a valid reason to spend extra time with them?”
Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was the stress or maybe because her feet were aching in her five-inch stilettos. Whatever the reason, Kate’s anger reached the boiling point. She held her arms straight at her sides, her hands balling into fists.
She stepped forward. Leigh backed up. Before Kate could utter a word, Jake was between them, taking her hand.
“Sorry to intrude, but Susan wants to take a group picture.”
Kate tried to shake him off as he led her toward the table, furious he’d denied her the chance to put that queen bitch in her place, but he held firm. “Why did you do that?”
“Because you had that glare on your face. You know, the one that scares away the single moms.”
“Huh, no wonder Leigh backed up.”
They reached their seats. Jake pulled out her chair, and Kate was finally able to sit and kick off her shoes. She busied herself by checking her cell phone, but the silence at the table made her glance up. Instead of all eyes on her as she suspected, they focused on Jake.
“You okay, buddy?” Logan asked.
Her eyes shifted from her brother to Jake. “Why are you asking him? I’m the one who almost gave Leigh a fresh new face.”
“Because one minute we were having a laugh and the next the good doctor shot from his chair, slammed it under the table, and made a beeline for you.” Logan grinned. “Muttering phrases he wouldn’t say in front of his patients.”
Kate turned to her date. “Why were you mad?”
He played with the label on his beer bottle. “They upset you.”
An adorable pink flush rose in his cheeks. She wasn’t sure what troubled her more. That she’d been a damsel in distress and Jake was her knight in shining armor.
Or that she’d just thought of him as her date.
Chapter Fifteen
“GO JA-AKE! Go Ja-ake!”
Egged on by the crowd that circled him, Jake moved his body tothe beat of You Should be Dancing, matching John Travolta’s iconic boogie step-by-step. His heart pounded against his ribs, beating with something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Joy.
Reminiscent of the life he’d led before fate had taken it away. Friends, cheering, dancing, and having fun.
Tucker and Sean were having a contest on who could whistle the loudest, while Susan and Valerie chanted Jake’s name beside their husbands. Even Shirley and Eddie gave up the dance floor to watch him.
He felt alive, a part of something. All because of the woman who stood on the edge of the dance floor spinning a napkin in the air and hooting the loudest.
Jake caught Kate’s eye and beckoned with his index finger for her to join him. She sashayed over, her heels long gone, and matched his moves as if she too had stayed up nights watching the famous dance scene repeatedly until she had it perfect.
He took her hand and twirled her, wishing he could pull her close, but through the many dances they’d shared this evening, she’d kept him at arm’s length. The song switched to Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl, and he moved them out of the center of the dance floor.
Kate leaned in close, shouting over the music. “That was amazing! Where did you learn to dance like that? You weren’t even born when the movie came out.”
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Memories of dancing in the family room with Arthur brought a lump to his throat. “My older brother used to watch Saturday Night Fever all the time. I guess I learned vicariously.”
“Well, you sure know how to move.”
If only he could show her exactly how well. Trying not to ogle the sway of her hips or the thrust of her breasts as she danced was bad enough, but fighting the urge to grab her and mold her against him was just plain torture.
Uptown Girl morphed into a slow, sexy ballad he didn’t recognize. Kate slanted toward him. For one incredible moment, he thought she was falling into his arms, but she righted herself. Then she tilted again.
He threw out his hands to steady her. Well, she wasn’t too sure on her feet. He’d stopped drinking after a few beers, but Kate had enjoyed several glasses of wine. “Whoa, maybe you should slow down on the Pinot Grigio.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m not drunk. I have a cramp in my side. I’m not as young as you are, ya know?”
“Yeah, yeah.” He slipped his arm around her waist. “Come on, old lady, let’s get back to the table. They’re probably doing the cake thing soon anyway.”
Kate hoisted her arm around his shoulders. Jake breathed in her sweet scent, savoring the feel of her hand rubbing his neck. Was that an unconscious gesture or was he reading too much into it?
“Oh my God, Kate!”
Her hand slid from around him as she turned to the excited shriek; then she gasped. “Lois, Vinnie! I didn’t know you were in town.”
A short, slim brunette nearly tackled Kate in a hug. Delight lit up her features. A bulky, middle-aged man stood behind them, grinning. Jake disliked him on sight. He looked like the type of guy who flipped you the bird after he just cut you off on the parkway.
“It’s been ages. We haven’t seen you since William’s—” Lois bit her lip, her eyes wide in horror.
Kate’s smile was tight. “I know.”
Vinnie snuck an arm around Kate’s shoulder. She leaned in and gave him a side-hug. “It’s good to see you again, kiddo.” He kissed her temple then turned to Jake and offered his hand. “Vince Rossi.”
“Jake Harris.”
The three chatted for a few minutes, until the conversation lagged. Jake was about to suggest they move on when Kate eyed a passing waiter carrying a tray of desserts and said, “I see chocolate! I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
“You’d better. I want to hear all about how you two met,” Lois said.
“Oh, we’re not dating. Jake’s just doing me a favor.”
The inside of his cheek was raw from biting it every time she clarified his position. Was the idea of him as her date really that repulsive?
Lois and Vince moved on, but Kate’s words still stung. “You know, I don’t think the valets have heard about my generous goodwill. If you hurry, you could probably enlighten them before dessert is served.”
He stormed off, blood pumping in his temples, leaving Kate alone on the edge of the dance floor. Luckily, their table was empty when he reached it. He needed a few minutes to calm down. To get his head straight.
This was not a date—as much as he might wish otherwise—and he needed to remember that.
He dropped his chin to his chest. God, he was such an ass. Here he was trying to convince Kate he wasn’t a child and he’d just stomped off like one.
Great. Just fucking wonderful.
He had no idea why he was so drawn to her. She thought she was too old for him, still mourning her husband, and too damn stubborn. But, man, she was also strong, kind, and sexy.
Maybe he just needed to get laid. It’d been a while. A quick romp might do him some good. He could go to a bar and pick up a willing out-of-towner. God knows Tucker would tell him to.
Yeah, right.
One night stands weren’t his style. He liked getting to know a woman before they slept together. It was more fulfilling. Less terrifying.
Jake hadn’t noticed Kate’s arrival until she pulled out the chair beside him. She sat and stared. He stared back until she said, “I’m sorry.”
As soon as her words registered, the anger left him. “I shouldn’t have marched off like that.”
“Why not? I would have.” She took great care in unfolding her napkin and placing it in her lap. “What I was doing was insulting. I just don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.”
“Why do you care?” He sat forward in his seat, resting his elbow on the table. “What difference does it make what they think?”
“You’ve never lived in a small town before, huh?” Kate smoothed out the creases of her napkin, her voice husky when she spoke. “I guess I feel if I’m still mourning William, so should they.”
Jake shifted to face her, sliding his arm around the back of her chair. He understood how she felt all too well. “We all grieve differently and at different speeds. It’s not an exact science.”
“Thank you.” Tears glistened in her eyes. One escaped and made a slow trail.
The urge to wipe the stray droplet from her cheek was so strong he had to clench his hands into fists. “For what?”
“Letting me talk about it. People seem to think it’s taboo to mention his name. They react like Lois did a few minutes ago. Like I’ll fall apart or something.”
“You never have to worry about that with me. And if you fall apart, that’s fine, too.”
Kate reached over and linked her fingers with his. “Know what?”
His heart pounded in his chest so hard he could barely speak. “What?”
“I’m glad you came with me tonight.”
Much to Jake’s dismay, the Emcee’s voice echoed through the microphone, demanding everyone’s attention. Damn it! He’d wanted to see where their talk would take them, hoping it would transform his label of boss and neighbor into something more intimate.
Any chance of continuing was shattered further when her siblings joined them. True to form, Kate regained her composure, unlinked theirhands, and shifted in her seat, away from him. No one would’ve suspected she’d been choked up a few minutes ago.
But he knew. She’d shared with him. No one else. And that warmed his insides like hot chocolate on a snowy day.
***
The ladies room appeared empty when Kate hurried inside, praying for sanctuary. A splash of cool water was usually all she needed when circumstances knocked her off her game, but she feared a gallon wouldn’t work tonight. Hell, ice couldn’t calm the flame inside her because Jake was always nearby to stoke it.
Well, his heat couldn’t reach her in here, thank God.
She turned to the sink and let the water run cold before tossing it on her face and neck. So much for her carefully applied make-up.
The stall door behind her opened. Damn, she’d thought she was alone. Her eyes met the reflection in the mirror. Susan.
Shit!
“Hey.” Her sister stepped up to the second sink, washing her hands before she yanked a paper towel from its dispenser. She hitched a pale yellow chiffon hip against the granite countertop as best a woman in her eight month of pregnancy could. “Feeling a little overheated?”
“There were a lot of people on the dance floor.” Kate snatched a tissue from the box sitting on the counter.
“Hmm.” Susan tossed the paper towel into the bin, then turned, and tugged at the waist of Kate’s gown. “It’s a little looser than when you tried it on a few weeks ago.”
She grinned, hoping to hide the sudden nervous twitch of her lip. “Can’t have you wearing it better than me, now can I?”
“Sounds like something you’d do. And I might’ve believed it too, if not for the circles under your eyes and the way you’ve fiddled with your napkin all night.”
Kate pressed the tissue against her lips. She hadn’t thought she washed off that much make-up. “It’s been a crazy week.”
“Week, huh? When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep?”
Great. Her sister was too damn astute for her own good.
Oh, well, no sense playing coy. None of this was news to Susan. Kate sighed and threw the tissue in the trash. “Who remembers?”
“Doesn’t that tell you something?” Susan rubbed her swollen tummy as if doing so would conjure up words of wisdom. “Sounds like anxiety to me. You need some stress relief.”
Kate let out a snort as she searched for her lipstick. “As much as I’d like to, I can’t afford a trip to Hawaii right now.”
“There are other, less expensive ways to relieve stress.” Her sister wiggled her eyebrows.
“Good God, Susan!” In a heartbeat, her skin flamed again. “Have you no boundaries?”
“Not as your caregiver. It’s very healthy and could do wonders.”
Self-pleasure had never been something Kate practiced. Whenever she needed that kind of release, William had always been within arm’s reach. After he died, on the rare occasion she succumbed to temptation, it only left her feeling cold and lonely. Empty. “I can’t. It only reminds me how alone I am.”
“Who said anything about being alone?”
With that hanging in the air, Susan winked, grabbed the door handle, and left the bathroom.
Kate leaned against the sink, mind racing from her sister’s parting words. Sleep with another man? Insane. William had been her only lover. To have sex just for the sake of having it would somehow cheapen what they’d shared.
But could she really continue to live a celibate life? Did she want to? Besides, who could she do the deed with? In an instant, Jake popped into her head. She pushed the thought aside. Her nerves were on edge as it was. The last thing she needed right now was something else to stress over.
After applying lipstick, she left the bathroom, heading past the smoker’s lounge, hoping the reception would start winding down.
“Hey, Kate.” Vince exited the lounge, bringing with him the stale smell of cigarettes.
She grinned. “Can’t go a full night without a drag, huh?”
“Yeah, I know, I know… those things will kill me. You heading back to the party?”
“Yup, and I believe you owe me a dance.”
“You bet.”
She continued toward the music, but a firm hand around her wrist stopped her. Vince pulled her toward him. “I was hoping we could have a more private dance.”
Crazy Little Thing Called Matchmaking Page 11
