“As soon as I get packed.”
Jenna presses her lips together. “Did he tell you what to pack?”
“No, why?”
“I don’t know. Just asking.”
“Gah, you suck.”
She makes a face, runs to her room, and slams the door shut. I look at the flowers, smell them, and go finish packing. I want to take the flowers with me.
“Hey Jenna, how can I take these with me and not have them spill all over the place?”
“Got a box? Set them in a box,” she yells through her door.
Looking around, I don’t see anything, until she tosses one out of her room. “Here.” Then her door slams shut again. Damn, she definitely is avoiding me.
When I’m finally packed, I yell through her door that I’m leaving. She runs out and squishes me in a giant hug. “Have fun, birthday girl and I’ll see you on Sunday.” Then she skedaddles right back into her room, as though she can’t bear to face me. Weird. Shaking my head, I head to my car and hit the road.
Sexy Drew waits for me as I pull into his parking lot. It’s a gorgeous spring day, and he’s wearing a black t-shirt and faded jeans. He opens my car door, as usual, and pulls me into his arms.
“Happy Birthday weekend, gorgeous.”
For whatever reason, I’m unusually excited to see him.
“Thank you,” I bubble out. Then his warm, wet lips find mine and I sink into his embrace. My fingers weave into his thick, messy hair, and all I want to do is stand here and kiss him. But he ends my pleasure all too soon.
“Let’s get your things.” I pop open the trunk and he surprises me when he takes my things and instead of carrying them inside, he puts them in his car. Then he takes my hand and says, “Let’s go.”
“I … where … the flowers.”
His brows crease in confusion.
“I brought the gorgeous flowers you sent.”
“Ahh.” He nods.
He walks to the passenger’s side and retrieves them. “We’ll bring them, too.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
We drive downtown and he pulls up to the Conrad Indianapolis Hotel and a valet opens my door. I look at Drew and he gets out of the car and meets me, grabs my hand, and we walk inside to check in. Apparently he’s booked a suite for the weekend. He’s lost his mind.
Leaning in to him, I whisper, “Are you crazy? This is expensive!” He chooses to ignore me. The clerk hands him his keys and the bellman follows with our luggage on a cart. Once upstairs, the bellman gives us a brief tour of our one-bedroom suite and then leaves. When he’s gone, I say, “This is amazing, but Drew, it’s way too much.”
“Happy birthday to the love of my life. Now if you don’t stop with this train of thought, you’ll kill my pleasure. Don’t kill this for us, Cate.”
A bottle of iced champagne awaits us with two glasses and Drew heads over to uncork it. He holds up his glass and says, “Here’s to the girl who changed my life. Happy birthday, Cate.”
After we sip our tasty drinks, he announces that it’s room service tonight and tomorrow is a spa day for me. He’s lined up some sort of body treatment, massage, a manicure, and pedicure.
“And, by the way, their room service is supposed to be excellent.”
I’m stunned. I don’t know what to say. I suppose I look like some big goofy fool, because I say nothing. And then I start to cry. Not a full on ugly, boohoo cry. But an overwhelming type of cry. You know, the kind where you feel joy and loved.
“Don’t cry, babe. This is supposed to be fun for you.”
“It is,” I wail and sniff. “But I’ve never done these things before and I’m so affected—in a good way.”
He puts his hands on my shoulders and says, “Cate, look at me.”
I do as he says.
“This is only the beginning of all the things I want to do for you. So, sweet beautiful thing, you’d better get used to it in a big hurry.”
He’s all blurred as I look at him, and I smile, though it’s watery and icky, but he hugs me into his broad chest. And it’s exactly where I want to be.
In the morning, I slap Drew’s hands away as he wakes me.
“Don’t you want coffee and breakfast before you go to the spa?”
“Grr. What time is it?”
“Nine-thirty.”
“No, it’s not.” I stick my face back into my pillow, convinced he’s teasing me.
“Uh, yes it is. There’s a clock on the bedside table if you don’t believe me.”
Lifting my head, I take a quick look and am shocked to see he’s right. “Holy hell! How did I sleep this late?”
“Want me to tell you?”
Then I remember the night before and my face warms.
“Ahh, she still blushes at the thought of sex with her boyfriend.” I don’t know why, but I do.
“That wasn’t sex. What we did should be illegal.” I think about all the things his mouth did to me, and the places his fingers went, and I’m pretty sure my face is now red as an apple.
“God, I love it when your skin flushes like that.” His mouth moves to my neck and kisses me on my pulse point. “If you don’t get a move on, you’ll end up going to your spa appointment smelling like a freshly fucked woman. I don’t mind it, but I’m not sure if you do.”
Shit! I hop out of bed and make a dash for the shower, hearing his laughter follow me.
After a quick shower and some breakfast, we head off to the spa. Drew’s only getting a massage and says to meet him back in the room when I’m done.
The rest of the morning and early afternoon I am pampered, exfoliated, moisturized, massaged, hot-stoned, and given the hand and foot treatment. It’s amazingly relaxing and when I return to the room, I feel like a new woman.
Drew is watching hockey when I get back. He’s totally absorbed since the playoffs are set to begin in a couple of weeks. But as soon as I enter the room, he turns the TV off, and I’m the center of his world.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say.
He gives me a look like I’m one of the Velociraptors from Jurassic World and I just stepped off the screen and into the living room. “It’s your birthday weekend and I plan to be with you every moment. I can watch hockey any day of the week. Now, how was it?”
“Oh my goodness. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”
“Okay, now you’re stepping on my toes, babe. I thought I was your best.” He winks.
I laugh. “You know what I mean.”
“You loved it, then?”
“God, yeah!”
“Let me see your fingers and toes.”
I hold out my hands while I kick off my shoes.
“Nice. I’m gonna have to play with those toes a little.”
“Didn’t know you have a toe thing.”
“I don’t. But I kinda like yours. You hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Let’s go eat.”
During lunch we talk about mundane things, but then I turn the conversation down another lane. “I’ve been offered an internship this summer with a finance firm here in town. It’s a great opportunity and I’d like to take it.”
“Congratulations, Cate, that’s great! When did this happen?”
“This past week. One of my professors told me about and said it was a long shot, so I didn’t think much about it until they called and made me the offer yesterday.”
“You accepted, I presume?”
“Not exactly. I told them I’d let them know on Monday.”
“Why?”
“Because I need a place to live.”
He laughs. “What? Did you think I’d say no?”
I fidget with my napkin before answering. “No. It’s only that a whole summer is a lot longer than we’re used to, and my parents will freak at the idea of me living with you.”
“Hmm. I see. So you’re willing to give up a huge career enhancer because of a couple of minor
glitches.”
He has a way of making my objections sound silly. “I guess it would be pretty damn stupid of me.”
“Look, we won’t get on each other’s nerves, if that’s what you’re worried about. I would love having you with me for an entire summer. In fact, I’ll go so far as to beg you to take the damn job. Please, oh please, Cate.”
He has me laughing by this time.
“And didn’t you say your father thought you had a silly major?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, this is your chance to prove him wrong.”
“True. But they still won’t like us living together.”
He waves his hand through the air. “Oh, hell, they’ll get over it when they find out you have free rent.”
“Oh no. I can’t do that. I’ll pay a part of it.”
He shrugs. “We’ll figure something out then. But make that call Monday.”
“Okay, I will.”
That evening, Drew tells me only to dress in whatever is most comfortable to me. He’s wearing jeans and a light sweater. A knock on our door surprises me and he goes to answer it with a sly smile on his face. In walks an entourage of people, one obviously a chef. His name is Michael and he’s here to prepare our dinner. I go to the bedroom to quickly change, and come out wearing jeans and a sweater, too.
The chef prepares something, but Drew won’t tell me what. And the other people have disappeared. When I ask about them, Drew only smiles and shrugs. Then he leads me back into the bedroom for a minute. “It’s a big surprise birthday dinner, so if it doesn’t work out exactly right, please don’t hold it against me.”
“Why would I hold it against you? And everything you’ve done so far has surpassed anything I’ve ever experienced, so stop.” I hug him. “You’re the best, Drew.”
“No, you are. And you stole my line.” He smacks my butt and then gets that heated look in his eyes.
“No! We can’t. Michael is out there. And those other people.”
“Don’t worry about them.” He starts stalking me around the bedroom. I can’t help giggling because I feel like a little kid. Finally, I’m trapped in the corner and he pulls me by my wrists and tosses me onto the bed, where he tickles me until I almost pee.
“With everything I’ve ever done, all the places I’ve ever been, and every person I’ve ever met, nothing can come close to the sparkle in your eyes, or the love I feel in my soul when you look at me, Cate Forbes.” His lips skim mine, teasing them, as they taste and his words touch a place in my heart I didn’t know existed.
“I feel it too, Drew, when you look at me.”
It’s one of those rare moments between two people that love each other and I don’t want it to end. But we’re interrupted by a knock, and Drew offers me a crooked grin when he gets up to answer it. I hear them murmuring, but don’t know what’s said. Then he’s back and tells me dinner will be ready in about forty-five minutes.
“Would you like some wine? And we can watch Michael cook.”
“That would be nice.”
So we sit at the small counter in the kitchen while Michael is busy preparing our meal and I soon become engrossed watching him. He’s making oven-roasted salmon, sautéed mixed baby vegetables, and parmesan risotto. He will also serve a grilled romaine salad with walnuts, gorgonzola, and a cherry vinaigrette. It all looks and sounds delicious.
When it’s almost ready, the chef nods to Drew, and Drew asks me to wait in the bedroom. I think it’s sort of strange, but I don’t say anything. I go in and sit on the bed, waiting patiently. About five minutes pass and Drew comes to get me.
“Okay, close your eyes for me, please, and I’ll lead the way.”
“We’re going someplace else?”
“Just follow my lead, Sherlock.”
With my eyes closed, and holding onto him, I follow. I step up and down when he tells me and finally I hear the words, “You can open your eyes now, Cate.”
Grinning, I do, but then, I gasp and my hand flies to my mouth. This is one of those I can’t believe it moments. I do a couple of pirouettes and my eyes stay saucered. One thing I didn’t pay attention to was the fact that there was a terrace outside of our living room. The team of people that arrived with Michael evidently came out here and decorated it. There are paper lanterns, rose petals, candles, and twinkling lights everywhere. A small table is set for dinner and music plays from inside. A waiter is ready to serve us and it’s the most perfect setting I’ve ever seen.
Drew holds the chair out for me and I sit. Our food is delivered and it’s so tasty I keep mmming.
“You keep that up, you’ll mmm yourself to death.”
“Maybe, but this is really delicious.”
“The hotel said I wouldn’t be disappointed and they were right. Michael is excellent.”
“How did you come up with this?”
“I wanted something special for your twenty-first birthday.”
“You succeeded by miles. Thank you, if I haven’t said it yet. You keep upping the ante.”
“There is no ante.” His kind eyes are earnest and intently focused on me. “I want to please you, Cate.”
It’s difficult to contain my excitement and I feel giddy. “You’ve more than done that.”
We finish eating and I’m ashamed to say there isn’t a morsel left on my plate. Then the waiter reappears with a small cake and candles in it while Drew sings me happy birthday.
“Thank you, Drew. I wouldn’t change a thing. But oh god, it’s a good thing you have another career because you’d go broke as a singer.”
“Yeah, pitiful, aren’t I?”
“Never that,” I say conjuring up images of last night remembering how he makes up for the lack of singing skills in other areas. “But the cake?”
“Just wait.”
The waiter serves us and it’s an ice cream cake with chocolate cake and oreo ice cream.
“It’s official. Best birthday ever,” I say around a huge mouthful of creamy, yummy stuff.
When we finish our cake and all the servers and Michael are gone, I look at Drew and say, “I doubt this birthday could ever be topped.”
“You sure about that?”
“Hell yeah. This was nothing but a series of awesome.”
Only he strikes me speechless when he gets out of his seat, drops to his knee, and takes my hands in his. “Cate Forbes, I knew the minute I saw you that I would be asking you this question one day. You have opened up my heart and soul to a love I didn’t understand, but now that I do, I never want to let it go.” He swallows and I feel the tears begin to well up in my eyes. “Will you say yes to being my better half? I promise to be Louise’s slave for life.” I open my mouth to form the word yes, but all the air has left my lungs. “Marry me, Cate.”
He has the most adorable look on his face; all I can do is hug him. I’m so surprised by everything he’s managed to do, but when he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the ring box, he looks like that playful, excited little boy again. He places it in the palm of his hand and holds it out for me.
Finally, words burst from my mouth. “You don’t want to put it on me?”
“I want you to see if you like it or not. If you don’t, we’ll get whatever you want.”
“I’m sure it’s perfect, like everything else about tonight.”
He just holds the box for me to take. “It’s all yours, Cate.”
I take it, open it, and feel myself smile from ear to ear. I close the box, and throw myself into his arms again. “I couldn’t have chosen anything better.” My body trembles from head to toe. I never in a million years imagined I’d be getting a diamond ring for my birthday.
“You never answered me.”
“Huh?”
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes! A million yesses!”
He stands, spins me around, and lets out a huge whoop!
“When?” I ask.
“After you graduate and I finish my residency. Next year.”
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“Oh, that’s perfect. Can it be small?”
“I don’t care if we get married in the Elvis Chapel in Vegas. I just want to be Mr. Cate Forbes.” He grabs the box from me and slides the ring on my finger.
“Oh my god!” And we both start laughing. Then I sober up. “My parents!”
“They know. I called your dad to ask for your hand and for his blessing.”
I put my hand over my heart thinking how sweet that is. “You did that?”
“Of course! I’m a southern boy, you know. Besides, my mother would’ve killed me if I hadn’t.”
“And your parents?”
“They know too.”
“And?”
“Can hardly wait to hear your reaction. My mom helped me pick out your ring. Do you like the solitaire?”
“Yes! It’s what I always wanted. Just a solitaire. How did you know?”
“Mom asked if you wore a lot of jewelry, and I said no. This is what she said to go with.”
“Remind me to thank her. It’s so huge.”
“No, it’s not. It’s two carats.”
“Whoa. I’ll be afraid to wear this.”
“Don’t be. It’s insured. I love you. You, Cate are everything to me.”
“I love you, too, Drew. I can’t wait until you’re Drew Forbes.” I manage to say straight faced before a laugh bursts from me.
He cracks a smile. Then his lids lower to half-staff and he says, “Let’s dance.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask, because his mood has shifted.
“Not a thing. I’m just so damned happy you’ve agreed to make it official and be mine forever.”
He pulls me into his arms, and it’s here I want to stay. For a lifetime.
FOR SOME REASON I STAND in the elevator glancing at my ring-less finger. I want to run, but I promised Andy I wouldn’t. I’ve been given a second chance and I’m ready to take it.
The doors part and Ted is standing there, waiting. I step out.
“Cate, just the woman I’m looking for.”
I frown and say, “Me?” I place my hand on the hollow of my throat.
“Yes, I have to reschedule our ten o’clock. I’m hoping we could do lunch instead.”
I hesitate because I want to see Andy for lunch.
Cruel & Beautiful Page 26
