Her questions break my heart to even consider this, but I know I can’t hold her back. She deserves to take every opportunity that comes her way, and if it is something she really wants, then I will support her.
“I want you to do what’s best for you and to follow your dreams,” I tell her, taking her face in my hands and staring into her eyes. “If going out of state is something you feel passionate about, then go for it. I won’t stand in your way.”
Catherine’s face falls, disappointment clear on her features. I can see she was hoping for a different answer, and I can’t help but feel guilty. My fear of admitting it aloud is stronger than my love for her, though, so instead I stay quiet.
She takes my hands in hers, and I can feel the sadness radiating off her. “It’s okay,” she whispers. “I understand.”
But as she looks into my eyes, I can see something else there, too. A spark of hope that I hadn’t seen before. The way she gazes at me tells me she might feel the same way for me as I do for her, and that we are both falling for one another without either of us wanting to admit it yet.
That Catherine has been hurt by Jason is still lingering in the air between us, and it’s understandable why she may not be ready to confess what’s in her heart just yet.
I slip my arms around her and pull her closer, feeling her heart beat against my chest. We lie there together, forgetting everything else that isn’t this moment.
I press my lips against her bare shoulder, then rest my chin on it. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I hope that whatever Catherine does, it may just be the path to a future with me.
Catherine gives a contented sigh and snuggles closer to me, her breathing growing deeper as she drifts off to sleep. I brush my lips against her forehead and close my eyes, enjoying the feel of her in my arms for as long as I can.
Once I’m sure that Catherine is asleep, I gently slip out of bed. My laptop beckons me from across the room.
I open it up, and an email notification appears on the screen. I click on it. As the screen lights up, the words that flash across it confirm my fears: I’ve lost out on the deal.
I grab my robe from out of my closet and throw it on. I must wake Catherine with all my movement, because she lifts her head up from the pillow and watches me as I grab my phone and head into my office.
“Oliver, I just saw the email,” Fred says over the phone as I slip into my office, closing the door behind me.
“I can’t fucking believe it,” I reply. I sink down in my chair, feeling like I’m suffocating. “We met with Darren’s family and we had an amazing time together in Pismo.”
“Money talks, my friend,” Fred tells me. “As long as Darren and the rest of the board are getting what they want, they don’t care about who you are as a person.”
“I know, I know,” I say, getting up and going to the window. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out, but I thought I had a better shot at it.”
“Listen, Oliver,” Fred says, “it’s not the end of the world.”
“Yes, it is,” I retort. “As long as Jason’s involved, I can’t let him win.”
Fred sighs on the other end of the line. “I’m sorry, Oliver. I know how much you were hoping to get this hotel. But I’m sure we’ll get the next deal.”
I nod, knowing that Fred is right. But at that moment, it doesn’t make me feel any better.
“I better go,” I say. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Talk soon, buddy,” Fred says before hanging up.
I slowly and quietly make my way back to bed. I slip back under the covers, and Catherine turns over to face me.
“Hey,” she says sleepily. “Why did you go?”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry I left,” I tell her. “I just need some time to process this.”
She sits up with a look of concern on her face. “What happened?”
I smile, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s nothing for you to worry about,” I reassure her. “It’s just business.”
Catherine looks at me, her eyebrows furrowing with concern. She wants to know more, but she also knows that now is not the time. Instead, she wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me closer.
“Try to get some sleep,” she whispers.
I do as instructed, letting out a deep breath as I lay down next to her again. With Catherine by my side, I’m able to find a little peace and a little comfort, despite the tremendous loss I just suffered.
