The Writer's Romance

by Elsa Kurt

  Janie’s long pauses caused Katharine to set her mug down on the patio table, lean forward in her seat, and study her face. The over-bright smile came back again, then she took a sip of coffee and slid her eyes away.

  “Janie? Is there something you want to tell me?”

  “Oh, doesn’t the lake look especially beautiful this morning?”

  “Spill it,” said Katharine.

  Janie rapidly tapped the side of the mug with one bubblegum-pink painted fingernail. Then, squinching one eye closed, she took a big breath and laid out her confession. “I maybe, kind of, totally mentioned your party this morning while I was at the gym.”

  Katharine stared at her, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Undoubtedly, there was still more. She tilted her head down and raised an eyebrow.

  Janie continued, “You know that saying, ‘the more, the merrier?’ Well, I somehow sort of said you’d love more people to come. I mean it was only Trish and Gina. Oh, and Kathy. But then Gina told Jeff, and Jeff told Ned, and Ned is married to Trish’s sister, so—”

  “Stop. How about you tell me how many people are now coming to my small, intimate party?”

  “Um, okay. So, if I had to guess? Twenty. Twenty-five, tops. I think.”

  Katharine fell back against the thick cushion of her chair and blinked at Janie. She wasn’t sure whether she should laugh or cry. “Janie, I’ve never, ever thrown a party before. This is going to be a disaster.”

  Janie put on what Katharine could only describe as her ‘mom face’ and spoke in its accompaniment, her mom voice. “Okay, now, sweetie, it’s not going to be a disaster. It’s going to be fun! Have you gotten all your shopping done?” Katharine shook her head. Janie’s smile slipped, then resurfaced. “Not a problem. Have you made a list yet?” Upon seeing Katharine’s blank stare, she continued, nonplussed. “All right, that’s fine, totally fine. Still not a problem. How about we do that right now? Me and you?”

  She sent a dazed Katharine inside for pen and paper, then on her return, began dictating everything Katharine would need for the next day. The list was long and overwhelming. Fortunately, Janie took pity on her and offered to go shopping with her.

  “There now, that isn’t so bad, is it?”

  “Oh, no, not at all.” Katharine’s tone dripped with sarcasm. What had she gotten herself into? More than thirty people—strangers, no less—would be invading her home in less than twenty-four hours. She would know exactly three people: her brother, Tori, and Janie. At least there’d be no racket from next door going on. Then Katharine remembered—she still had to invite him. Janie, with her uncanny timing, spoke the dreaded name.

  “Now, about Mitch Ford. There’s a rumor he’s going to be here, so that means—”

  “Don’t remind me. I still have to go over there and invite the oaf. Can’t I simply not invite him?”

  Another stab of anxiety pierced her. It grew as she watched Janie’s face redden and her fingernail drum her coffee mug again. Katharine curled her hands around the wicker arms of her chair and pushed back against the cushion as if bracing for a crash.

  “Well,” Janie began, “it’s kind of all over social media, honey. It made tabloid news, too. Haven’t you looked?”

  She had not. Not since Tori had all but banned her from using her own platform and she’d willingly obliged. Katharine bolted inside and grabbed her phone from the charger in the kitchen. She paced back and forth as it powered on, biting her nail. After waiting an eternity, she tapped her social media icon. The screen filled with images and links to articles speculating about the ‘swirling rumors of a budding relationship’ between her and Mitch Ford.

  “Seriously? Don’t people have anything better to do?”

  Janie shrugged and opened her mouth to speak, but Katharine railed on.

  “I mean, I met this guy, what? Barely a week ago? Suddenly now we’re a ‘budding relationship?’ It’s absurd! I can tell you: I don’t care how good looking he is, I have zero interest in that smug, self-centered, arrogant—”

  “Katharine—”

  “—fake humble, chauvinistic—” Katharine paused and blinked at Janie, who was looking not at her, but over her shoulder. “He’s behind me, isn’t he?”

  Janie put her head in her hand and nodded. Katharine turned slowly and tried to hide her mortification with a defiant glare. A sharp, preemptive rebuke was ready on her lips, but instead of anger on his face, he wore a boyish grin. He spread his hands out and tilted his head at her. “Aww, you think I’m good-looking? Why shucks, ma’am.”

  Katharine’s cheeks were on fire. She ignored his attempt at disarming humor and thrust her phone in his face. He jerked his head back and squinted at the screen, then bobbed his head in understanding. “Ah, yes. That. It just so happens, that is why I came over. Katharine, I swear, I had nothing to do with it. We both have our publicists to thank.”

  Janie was watching them—mostly him— with rapt attention. They both turned to her at the same time, and she jumped like she’d been stung.

  “Hello, I’m Janie. My husband, Jim, and I live on the other side of Katharine. We love your show, Mr. Ford.”

  Katharine mouthed ‘traitor’ at her.

  Mitch said, “Why, thank you, Janie. You’re too kind. Please, call me Mitch. Mr. Ford is my father.”

  Katharine rolled her eyes at him and stepped away, her face glued to her screen once again. “Listen to this: ‘Mitch Ford to attend swanky summer bash at the home of his new girlfriend, writer, Katharine Evan.’ It’s Evans, with an ‘s’ you idiots.”

  “It’s really better if you don’t read any—”

  “Swanky? Who even uses the word ‘swanky’?”

  Janie slowly stood up and edged her way around Katharine as if she were a poisonous snake.

  “Okay, Katharine? Sweetie? I’m gonna head on out and let you two… sort things. You come over when you’re ready to hit the grocery store, alright?”

  Katharine hardly looked up from her phone as she muttered her goodbye to Janie.

  Mitch was much more gracious. “It was lovely meeting you, Janie. I look forward to meeting the rest of the family at the… you know.”

  He jerked his head in Katharine’s direction. They both looked at her nervously. It was needless, she wasn’t paying attention to either of them. She was too busy scrolling and swearing under her breath. Janie left them, throwing several glances back at the pair before she rounded the corner. Mitch waved her off, then returned his attention to Katharine.

  “Katharine? Katharine.”

  “What? Oh, God, you’re still here? You know, when I get ahold of Tori, I swear, I’m going to—”

  “Could you, perhaps, give the floor to someone else for one moment? Me, specifically.”

  Katharine shrugged and set down the phone. She crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her eyebrows at him.

  “Thank you. Now, listen. This is not all bad, you know. Think of it as free press for your books. Have you even looked at your sales records since this all started up? I’ll bet there’s a spike. How about your charity organization? Guarantee there’s a jump in donations there, too. Speaking of that, will my buddy Nate be here tomorrow?”

  The moment Mitch mentioned Nate, Katharine smiled. It is kind of sweet that he asked about Nate. Nate hasn’t stopped talking about Mitch, either. The grin faltered when she looked at Mitch. Her shoulders dropped, and she uncrossed her arms and considered him, a new expression on her face than the usual sour ones he’d probably grown accustomed to.

  “Nate seemed to be quite taken with you. And yes, he’ll be here tomorrow.” After a pause, she said, “Obviously, you’re invited.”

  “Great.”

  They smiled at one another for a moment, until it became awkward. Mitch rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled. Katharine tucked her hair behind her ear. Several times. Mitch found it endearing. They spoke at the same time.

  “Would you like a cup—”

  “Well, I guess I’ll be
—”

  “Sorry, what,” they both asked.

  Mitch tipped his cap, “Ladies first.”

  Katharine smiled. “Would you like a cup of coffee? I suppose we should at least get to know each other a bit since we’re the new ‘it’ couple.”

  “Yes, I suppose so, hmm? I’d love a cup of coffee, Katharine,” he said with a slowly spreading smile.

  She went inside with the sound of him saying her name reverberating in her brain, and Mitch sat down at her patio table. From her kitchen window, she could see him squirming in the plush, floral print cushioned chair. He resembled a bear at a child’s tea party. When she came out, he tried to look natural.

  Katharine made no attempt to hide her grin. “Well, look at the big, burly man in the pretty chair. The tabloids would love this. Maybe I should take a picture and send it to them myself?”

  “I’d prefer not, Ms. Evans, thank you.”

  ***

  He accepted the outstretched mug with mock chagrin. He was secure in his manhood, and it wouldn’t have been the end of the world to have his photograph taken in the flowery, girly chair, but still. Katharine positioned her chair beside his so they both could look out over the lake. At first, they sat quietly, gazing at the calm water. The sun climbed lazily over the trees and cicadas had already begun their crescendo buzz. It was going to be another hot day. By noon, the guys would be irritable and slow next door, thanks to the heat.

  Mitch’s gaze traveled the span of her yard. Variegated, elephant, and blue Hosta plants alternated with orange daylilies all around the perimeter. Creeping phlox in several shades of blue blanketed a stone border in some spots, and crimson carpet roses spilled over others. Several lilac bushes—well past bloom—intertwined, and a lone wisteria tree drooped over a bird bath. Birdfeeders and gourd birdhouses took residence on one side of the yard, while hummingbird feeders populated the other side. Below her kitchen window, two raised garden beds worked overtime to confine their inhabitants. One bragged a row of ripe fruit-laden tomato plants, cucumber vines that wove through and over an A-frame trellis, vibrant green bean bushes, a line of green cabbage, another of red, and lastly—that he could see—large squash plants. The other raised bed was host to all kinds of lettuces and herbs.

  Mitch’s eyes move from the garden boxes back to the opening of the lake. Two sizeable blue hydrangea bushes stood sentry on either side of her dock and kayak access. This is where Katharine’s profile picture was taken. Everything about Katharine’s nature-loving backyard was quaint and near perfect. All but for one very noticeable distraction. The sound of hammers, saws, and men shouting to one another carried through the bushes with jarring regularity. It disturbed the serenity of the haven Katharine had created for herself with deliberate care. Abashed, he turned his eyes on Katharine, who was watching the birds at their feeders.

  “I’m sorry, Katharine. I see why you’re so protective of your privacy now. This—back here— it’s beautiful. You’ve got your own little paradise, and we’re disturbing it. We’ve got a couple more weeks, barring any delays, then we’ll be out of your hair, and your life can go back to normal.”

  Katharine sighed and shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. I mean, yes, the noise and disruption are awful, but what you’re doing? It’s pretty amazing. I’ve never so much as waved to Mr. Genoma, and here you are—a complete stranger—rebuilding his home for his war veteran grandson.”

  “Well, you know, makes great publicity and ratings for the show.”

  Katharine turned warmly toward Mitch and put her hand on his arm. “No, I don’t believe that. It’s not about publicity… or ratings for you, is it?” She didn’t wait for Mitch to respond. “I knew it the moment I heard you speak on that show. You do it because you care.”

  Mitch squirmed again in his seat. People patted him on the back and told him how great he was practically every day, but he never got used to it. He never enjoyed it. Mitch did what he did because he could. He’d been blessed with the ability, then the means to change and better the lives of people less fortunate than him. It was how he was raised, to be a good human. Do good, be good. Simple as that.

  “Eh, I’m not so bad for a—what did you call me? Self-centered, arrogant, fake—”

  Now it was Katharine’s turn to squirm. Mitch wasn’t about to let her off the hook, at least not right away. But then she turned those big green eyes of hers on him, and all the sarcasm died on his lips. She looked genuinely mortified. Her small hand was still warm on his arm. He placed his over hers and leaned toward Katharine.

  “I’m teasing you, Katharine. Don’t worry, I’ve got thick skin.”

  She shifted closer. “I don’t think your fake anything. I think you might be the most genuine person I’ve met in a long time.”

  They inched closer. Mitch could smell the intoxicating scent of her shampoo again. He took his hand off hers and reached up to her face. The lock of hair she’d been fastidiously tucking had come free again, and he tucked it for her. Katharine smiled shyly against his rough palm. All Mitch could think about was kissing her.

  “Hey! Here they are! KatMitch, look over here!”

  Mitch and Katharine jumped away from each other and searched for the source of the commotion. Camera’s flashed, and several people burst through the bushes from Genoma’s side.

  ***

  One moment Mitch Ford’s lips were inches from hers, and the next, pandemonium. Katharine’s pitter-pattering heart shifted into thunderous pounding as she jumped up from her seat. Her shock and confusion became an unbridled outrage. Only part of her brain registered Mitch beside her, saying ‘let me handle this’ while the other part told her to become a raging shrew. She chose to heed to the latter, which would end up being unfortunate.

  “This is private property! Get off my grass, you idiots!”

  Katharine started marching toward the crowd, who were taking even more pictures as they laughed and pointed. Mitch grabbed her arm to stop her, but she swung free, yelling all the while. No one was leaving, they were just stepping back into the bushes and trampling her flowers. She looked around for something to throw and spied the hose instead. Katharine’s eyes lit up with evil glee. I’ll show them.

  She’d be lying if she said she didn’t hear Mitch warning her not to do it. He was right, of course, but Katharine didn’t care. She was furious these people had the audacity to not only trespass onto her property, but to proceed to take pictures and film her while doing it. If this was what fame was like, she wanted no part of it. She grabbed the nozzle, adjusted it to ‘power wash’ mode, aimed and squeezed. As expected, the crowd scattered and ran back through the bushes. Once they were all gone, she released the trigger and set the hose down with a self-congratulatory cheer. From behind her, Mitch cleared his throat. Katharine spun around, expecting a high-five. Instead, she found herself on the receiving end of a stern, disapproving, and decidedly displeased Mitch Ford stare.

  “What? Oh, come on, they deserved it.”

  “Yes, that may be very true. However, now we are once again fodder for their stories. That right there, is what Sam would call—”

  “Cinematic gold!” Sam himself walked out from around the side of the house, camera perched on his shoulder like a giant parrot. Katharine looked from one to the other in disbelief.

  “Again? You did this to me again? Get out of here.”

  “Katharine, this isn’t—”

  “Just go, Mitch. Please.”

  Her anger was only overshadowed by hurt. This is what happens when you let your guard down, Katharine.

  Katharine’s voice shook. She was dangerously close to crying, and she needed Mitch and his sidekick to leave her alone. Mitch took a step toward her, and she put her hand up and looked away.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll play my part tomorrow, my half of KatMitch. I’ll even play along for as long as your crew is here. But after that? I hope I never see you again, Mitch.”

  She passed them and went inside the house, shutting the
door and blinds behind her.

  FOURTEEN

  LIFE OF THE PARTY

  One hour before the party, Mitch stood in the lobby of the bed and breakfast with Justin. For the third time, he announced, “I don’t think I should go to the party, Justin.”

  “Mitch, bro. It’ll be fine, chill. Tori said Katharine was, like, totally dope with it. Here, take these.” Justin handed him a bouquet of wildflowers.

  “Gee, you shouldn’t have,” said Mitch.

  “Dude, they’re for your little bombie, man! It’ll go over killer for the press, bro.”

  Mitch’s right eye twitched with every utterance of surfer jargon that drawled from Justin’s mouth. He anticipated a full day of that, along with God knew how many strangers. Not to mention spending the day with a woman who hated him.

  Katharine. It pained him to even think her name. If she’d turned her anger on him, it would’ve been better than the look of betrayal and hurt in her beautiful eyes. He was the kind of man who lived by the ‘do no harm’ motto, and yet his presence in Katharine’s life brought nothing but harm to her. He wanted to fix the damage—that was his thing, after all—and yet he was baffled as to how. Ending the build was out of the question. Finishing it sooner than scheduled, impossible. There was the party, which held possibilities he supposed.

  Think big, old man. Their Up All-Night Show appearance. Maybe he could do something, like a grand gesture, to make her see he wasn’t the guy she imagined he was. But what? What could he say or do to knock down the barrier between them? Maybe he could get some intel from her friends, Janie and Tori.

  “Dude? You spacin’ out on me, or what?”

  Mitch pressed his palms against his eyes and heaved a big breath.

  “No, Justin, I am not ‘spacin’ out’ on you. I was thinking.”

  “Right, right. Cool, man. Okay, so you and Katharine gotta, like, keep the tension going for the cameras. You think you can do that?”

  “Oh, I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”