“Earth to Penn...” Cat wiggles in my lap before her lips find the corner of my mouth. “Did you hear me?”
“Sorry, what?” I try to shake off the fog that my altercation with London has left me with, a fog that has made even the clearest images difficult to see.
“I asked what time you were picking me up tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night?” My forehead furrows in confusion.
“Please do not tell me you forgot.”
I rack my brain for what she could be talking about. Cat says so much and yet it typically amounts to so little, I rarely actually listen to her. And yes, I’m aware of how bad that sounds. Then again, I’ve told her more than a few times that this isn’t a relationship. I don’t want a relationship, least of all with Cat Stewart. So really, do I need to listen?
“Wow. So you did forget.” My silence clearly speaks volumes.
“Forget what exactly?” Apology lines my face, though I don’t actually feel sorry at all. Really, I just feel annoyed.
“My birthday party. You said you’d go.”
“That’s tomorrow?”
“Yes, it’s tomorrow and I’ve only told you about it a hundred times at this point.”
I pick up a strand of thick, auburn hair, twisting the end around my finger. I always hated her hair. Hell, I hate everything about her. Her voice. How fake she is. How two-faced. How over the top and dramatic she makes everything.
I know what you’re thinking—then why the hell am I sleeping with her? And honestly, the answer is pretty simple. I don’t haveto like her to screw her. And while thatistrue, it’s not the only reason I’m sleeping with her. In a way, I guess it was also my petty way of trying to get back at London.
Not that I ever expected that she’d find out, but something about having the girl she always hated bent over my desk gave me a sick sense of satisfaction I couldn’t resist. Like I’m really showing her. It’s not why I continued, though. She may irritate the hell out of me, but she’s also one hell of a lay—that much even I can admit.
Though the thought of doing anything with her that doesn’t equate to us being naked is enough to make me want to throw myself into the middle of the ocean with no means of getting home.
“I’m sorry, but I—”
“Do not finish that sentence.” Cat pushes off my lap so abruptly that it causes my chair to roll several inches backward before colliding with my desk, jarring my body.
“I’m captaining one of the boats tomorrow night,” I try to explain.
“On the night of my birthday party.”
“Well, I didn’t plan to do it to avoid your party if that’s what you’re implying. Jack’s wife had her baby this morning, and the least I can do is give the guy the weekend to spend with his new daughter.”
“She had the baby?” Her demeanor softens.
“She did. Healthy eight-pound girl.”
“What did they name her?”
“Lily.”
“Aww. I’ll have to send flowers.” She pushes her thick hair over her shoulders.
“So you’re not mad at me then?” Not that I care if she is, but I know if I don’t at least pretend to care, she’ll never let this go.
“I mean, I’m disappointed. It seems like every time I ask you to go out with me, you find an excuse not to. I’m starting to take it personally.”
You should, I think but don’t say.
“It’s not like that. You know how busy I am. It’s only been nine months. I’m still finding my footing. Things will slow down... Eventually.”
“What time do you get back in?”
