by Hart, Lea
He decide to text her. She could ignore his phone calls, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t make his feelings known.
Baby, I know you’re ignoring my calls which means that you’re afraid. Which is OK. It just means you feel something for me that scares the crap out of you. I take that as a good sign. I know right about now you’re either snorting or sticking your tongue out at the phone. That’s fine. I got you and I’m not going anywhere. Except to UAE for a week, but after that I’m home and we’ll figure it out together. Xoxoxo
Cary heard her phone beep and knew that Travis had texted her, because there was no way that he was going to leave an unanswered voice message.
Travis decided to text her again. He wanted to make sure she understood that he was still around even if he wasn’t right next to her.
So, I was thinking that I should get a dog for us. That way, when I have more trips like this, you’ll have a dog to keep you company. What kind would you like? I was thinking I could talk to the woman who trained Amelia’s dog. That way we could have a dog that protects to you. Thoughts? Xoxoxox
Cary parked in front of Rory’s house, pulled out her phone, read the texts from Travis and felt like laughing and crying at the same time. The man was relentless even if he was 30,000 feet in the air. The man had an uncanny ability to read her thoughts and understand her fears. It was slightly disturbing and endearing at the same time. She saw Cat park behind her and decided to leave it alone for now. She had no idea what to say to the infuriating man. She wanted to tell him that she’d fallen in love with him, but she wasn’t quite ready yet.
********
Cary got out of her car, met Cat in front of Rory’s house and gave her a hug. “Are you here alone? How did you ditch Frank?”
Cat shook her head. “That man shows up everywhere. I hardly notice him anymore. It’s almost like he’s wallpaper, just part of the background. I find it easier to pretend like it’s no big deal. If I don’t fight him, then he relaxes and we can be friends. It turns out that he’s really handy to have around and always seems to know when I need him. I know I should worry about it more, but I can’t seem to.”
“So is he wearing you down?”
“Yeah, pretty much. He said he would and he is. I hate these damn SEALs. They always seem to do what they say.”
“A man of his word. How annoying.”
“The man was a player, and I’m not going to give him any slack.” They heard a motorcycle come down the street and slow down in front of the house. Cat looked up. “What a surprise! Here’s the devil himself.”
They both watched him park the bike next to Cat’s car. It was like watching a commercial for beer or something. He took his helmet off, shook out his long hair and gave them both a panty-dropping smile as he lifted his long legs off the bike. He grabbed his keys and then put his hair in a ponytail. He continued to smile at them as he walked up to them. “Hi ladies.”
“Stop it, Frank. I’ve seen the show, and Cary’s in love with Travis.”
“I’m not in love with Travis,” Cary said. “Who told you that? We’re just dating. It’s too soon to know. I don’t think it’s possible to know something like that so soon. It’s probably just lust and friendship. That’s what it is–lust, friendship and dating.”
They both stared at her while she made her speech, and Cat shook her head. “Like I said, she’s in love and I’m immune. The whole beer commercial posing is overkill. I’ve told you before that you don’t need to try so hard.”
He put his arm around her shoulder. “I wasn’t posing. I think you’re actually starting to like me.”
She patted his chest and rolled her eyes. “Keep thinking that. What are you doing here?”
“I have to update Max on what’s going on at the office. I also have to check in on my god-children, because I don’t want them to think that I don’t care.”
“They’re only five weeks old. They don’t know who you are.”
“Yes, they do, because they both gurgle when they see me.”
“They do that to everyone. We’re taking them for a walk, because Rory needs a nap and they need fresh air.”
“I think they like me, and even you can’t make me believe otherwise. I’ll take you both to dinner after we’re done here.”
“We have plans, and we’re not available for dinner.”
Frank gave her a look of understanding. “Cat, we go through this every time, and the result is always the same. We go to dinner and end up having a good time.”
“Cary is on her own tonight, and we’re going out, and you’re not invited.”
“All right. I’ll meet up with you two later on.”
Cary watched both of them and wondered when Cat was going to give into it. Frank was never going to stop, so it was just a matter of time. The thought stopped her, because someone could be saying the same thing about her and Travis. “If you want to join us, you have to sing, because we’re going to karaoke.”
Cat looked over and smiled at her friend. That was a brilliant idea. There was no way Frank was ever going to sing in public. “That’s right. We’re going to karaoke, and you have to get up and sing.”
Frank looked at them both and smiled. “I’ll get up and sing as long as I can do a duet with Cat.” He watched a look of horror cross her face, because she was caught and there wasn’t anything she could do. He gave her one of his winning smiles and waited for her response. He knew it was going to take a while, but it was always worth it.
“Fine.”
He leaned into her and kissed her cheek with such reverence that it made Cary uncomfortable to watch. It felt like she was witnessing an intimate moment and one she shouldn’t be privy to. Cary watched as Cat leaned in ever so slightly to his kiss and wondered how long, indeed, before she gave in to what was happening between them.
Cat opened her eyes, looked around and pulled herself together. “Enough standing around-let’s go get those babies.”
Max opened the door and smiled at the people standing on his doorstep. “So this is the afternoon relief?”
“Frank, are you here to take the babies for a walk, or are you here to see me?”
“I’m here to give you a download, and I want to see my god-children. I plan on being their favorite, and I need to start now to make sure that happens.”
Rory walked up behind him and smiled at the group. “Come in. We’re happy to see you.”
Cary noticed that Rory looked beautiful, certainly not like a woman who had given birth to twins only five weeks ago. She was obviously meant for mother-hood and the man standing next to her looked like he felt the same way.
“Come in-the babies are still sleeping. I’ll make coffee to go with the cookies Mama made yesterday.”
Everyone settled in the kitchen while Rory made coffee and Catalina pulled out cups and plates. “So, how are my niece and nephew?
Max had his arm around Rory as he looked at the group. “Brilliant, perfect and loud. Their repertoire is eating, pooping and sleeping, and they’re doing well at all three.”
Rory checked the coffee and started to pour everyone a little cup. “My children have the eating and the pooping down, but the sleeping is still a work in progress. We’re lucky to have all of this support. I don’t know how we would do it without everyone helping out.”
The loud cry of two babies making their displeasure known was heard by everyone. Cat looked up. “That’s my cue. Come on, Cary. Let’s see what they want.”
They made their way upstairs. Frank watched Cat walk away and smiled at her retreating figure. Rory watched him and shook her head. While she was impressed with the changes that he’d made in his life, she felt like it was never going to be enough for her sister. Catalina had a stubborn streak that matched his, and she wasn’t likely to give up or give in any time soon. She wondered if Frank would be willing to continue for very much longer. “So how are things going at the office?” she asked.
“We don’t have any major crisis
going on, because the people that you hired to run the operations, accounting and human resources are making everything run smoothly. I don’t know what we’d do without your team. They could give any senior chief on the Teams a run for their money.”
“That was the idea,” Rory said. “I wanted to have a group of people run the operations so you all could go out and do your job and make the world a safer place.”
“It’s working, and we’re starting to make a dent in the backlog. Sean has been able to recruit a bunch of guys he met at the vet hospital. A lot of them are mission-ready even with their injuries. We probably have six platoons that are up and operational at any given time. We’re like Team One of the private sector. It took us a couple of years, but we did it.”
Max nodded his head in agreement. “Damn right we did. The LA and Virginia offices are mirroring what we’ve done, and they’re having the same results.” He looked over at his wife. “Rory did an amazing job and we can thank her for a lot of our success.”
Frank looked at them and noticed how much they respected one another. He’d been a witness to it over the last six months and it never failed to impress him. While they were crazy in love with each other, they also understood what the other was capable of professionally. Someday soon he was going to have that with Catalina. It didn’t matter how long it took, because this was the mission of his life.
Max stood against the counter. “So Travis, Ed and Sean got off this morning? The client’s plane showed up with no problems?”
“They were wheels up and en route. This will be the first time that we’re offering this service to a client. We can evaluate it when they get back and see if it makes sense to go forward with it. I know what they are paying us, but I want to make sure it makes sense from a personnel point of view.”
Rory looked at both of them. “So are either of you going to tell me what Travis’s intentions are toward Cary?”
They both looked down at their shoes, and Frank decided Max could take the heat on this one. After all, it was his wife, and he had to live with her.
“I’m not sure honey,” Max said.
“What a crock of bull hockey-you know and you’re holding back.” She looked at her husband and gave him another chance, and he remained silent. “That’s fine. When he loses the woman of his dreams, he has the two of you to blame.”
Max looked at Frank. “When did we become involved in the romantic lives of our friends?”
“We didn’t get involved. Your wife and Birdie are the ring-leaders. You’re involved because you’re married. My guess is that if you want to stay married and happy, you need to go along with her plan. That, my friend, is how you got involved. I’m not married yet, and Catalina isn’t nearly as interested in matchmaking as her sister, so I may actually get a break.”
Catalina and Cary walked down the stairs and came into the kitchen. “What are you going to get a break from Frank?” Catalina asked.
“I was telling your brother-in-law that I may not have to be involved in everyone’s love life because you don’t seem all that interested in it. So when we get married, it won’t be my problem, because it won’t be your problem. He, on the other hand, is married to one half of the great matchmaking duo and doesn’t have a choice. Having said that, if you decide to become involved, I fully support you and will become involved.”
Cat held on to Gemma, patted her back and swayed back and forth, “We’re not going to get married, so I think you’re off the hook in the whole matchmaking fandango.”
He smiled at her and said under his breath, “Yet.”
“Did you just say ‘yet’?”
“Yes, I did. I was clarifying your statement. We are not going to get married…yet.” He gave her one of his best smiles. “It makes more sense when you say the whole sentence.”
She smiled back at him and spoke to him in Italian with a very sweet voice so the babies wouldn’t become upset. She told him quite clearly what she thought of his whole sentence.
He responded in kind, smiling and using a gentle voice…speaking in Italian. “Hai finito?”
“Si.”
“Te amo.”
Rory shook her head at both of them. “You both know that this is going to only last for a little while, because I’m already speaking to them in both languages.”
Frank put his arms out for Gemma, and Cat passed him the baby. “We should have it worked out before they become fluent.”
“Speak for yourself,” Catalina said.
Cary laughed at looked down at Alex and laughed. “You, my friend, are stuck with a crazy aunt and uncle. You’ll never be bored.”
They all started to laugh as Rory got the bottles ready. “Are you two sure that you want to take them for a walk?”
They both said “yes” at the same time. Catalina picked up the baby bag and went to get the stroller ready for their walk.
Frank grabbed a bottle from Rory and sat down on the couch. He looked down at his precious god daughter and knew that he would do anything to protect her. “Let’s eat, and then the two crazy ladies will take you and your brother for a walk. You would probably like to see how blue the sky is today and feel the warm sun on your feet, and if you’re lucky, you might hear the song of a bird. All in all, not a bad way to spend the afternoon.”
Catalina watched from the doorway and locked down her heart at the sight of Frank with Gemma. He had a lot more work to do before she was going to let him in. Once she let him in, that was going to be it. They were going to be together for the rest of their lives. She just wanted him to get most of the work out of the way before that happened. His reformation was going along nicely, but he wasn’t there yet. There was still work that needed to be done before she was going to take him on.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Frank walked into the karaoke bar downtown, stood in the doorway and looked around for Catalina and Cary. He noticed a group of men surrounding a table toward the front and had a bad feeling that was where the ladies were sitting. The waitress approached the table, the men moved aside, and sure enough, there sat Cat and Cary. They were smiling and laughing as they enjoyed themselves. He pulled out his phone and texted David and Chris and requested backup. The possibility of things getting ugly was increasing, and he didn’t feel like spending the night in jail after he wiped the floor with the assholes that were surrounding the ladies. He checked his phone and got confirmation that the guys were on the way over. He walked up to the table and waited for Cat to see him. Several moments passed before she looked up. Their eyes fell upon one another, and the connection was instant….just like always. They smiled at each other. “Hi, baby,” Frank said. “Sorry I’m late.”
Frank moved one of the guys as he made his way next to the ladies and felt the tension in the group increase as he leaned down and kissed Catalina. It was a chaste kiss, over in less than a minute. But it was enough to send the message to the men without him needing to lay his hands on anyone. Which was good, because he never raised his hands unless he meant it. The guys seem to understand that Frank wasn’t going to let anyone in and slowly moved away toward easier targets.
Cary leaned over. “Are you two ready to sing?” She shoved the notebook toward them. “Look in there and pick a song.” The host called out her name, and she jumped up and clapped her hands. “My turn.”
Cat and Frank watched her get up and walk towards the stage. “Can she sing?” Frank asked
“Take out your phone and record this, because Travis will want to see this.”
Frank got out his phone and texted his friend, giving him a heads-up. Cary stood under the spotlight in her short skirt and cowboy boots and looked out over the crowd. There were quite a few whistles, and Cary shook out her hair and looked down at the ground with a small smile playing against her lips. The host announced the song she was singing and thanked her for singing. Frank thought that was weird. She must come here a lot and be popular. He got his phone ready, because he wanted Travis to see her performance.
The music started, and she began singing “Wrecking Ball.”
The crowd quieted as she started singing. Her voice floated over the music, and people started clapping and whistling. Cat looked over at Frank and winked at him. He shook his head in disbelief. Why wasn’t this woman singing professionally? Her voice was beautiful, and she was singing the hell out of the song as she held the audience in the palm of her hand. She stood on the stage, leaned into the song, and belted out line after line. Cary owned the audience as her voice filled the room. It seemed to end too quickly, and the crowd was on its feet, clapping and cheering. Frank and Catalina got up and joined everyone in applauding the performance. Frank put his arm around Cat and spoke into her ear. “Does Travis know about this?”
“He heard her sing when they first met, but I don’t think he understands how good she is.”
Cary made her way back to the table and sat down. “That was fun. I always like singing that song.”
Frank stared at her. “Why don’t you sing professionally?”
“I’m not that good. I just do it for fun.”
“You’re better than you think.”
Cat put her hand on his arm. “Leave it. We’ve been trying for years to tell her, and she doesn’t want to believe us.”
Cary smiled and looked for the waitress. One of the guys who had been hanging around caught her eye and came over. “What can I get you, darling?”
Frank answered for her. “I got it, man. Don’t worry about it.”
