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I followed her into the living room, half-scared I’d find Katie tied to a chair. But she was fine, if a bit pale, as she rose from the couch. “It’s nice to see you.”
I scowled first at Katie, then at Aileen. “Um, I don’t want to be a jerk, but why the hell am I here?”
Aileen pointed at Katie. “This woman tells me you haven’t been to see her once since you’ve been back from the island.”
“Yeah…so?”
“You really hurt me, Bob.” Katie’s voice wobbled as she took a step closer.
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I didn’t do anything. You made your bed, and it had nothing to do with me.”
She reached for me. “Don’t say things like that. You just need to give it a chance.”
Even on the verge of tears, Katie looked great. She always did. Her glossy brown bob showed off her cheekbones and striking blue eyes. Her toned body was showcased underneath her leggings and slim-fitting sweater.
But to me, she was as pretty as a scorpion. “No I don’t. I don’t owe you anything.”
She rocked back on her feet as if I’d slapped her. “Bob. This is a very emotional time for me. I can’t believe you’re being so cold and adding to my anxiety like this.”
I turned to Aileen. “Why am I here?”
She crossed her arms against her chest. “I just wanted to see something.” She flicked her fingers in Katie’s direction. “That’ll be all. I’ll have my assistant send you a check. Let’s go, Roberto.”
“Bob, wait—” Katie reached for me again, her hand grasping my arm.
I backed away immediately, as if she might have cooties.
“There’s nothing to say. I can’t even tell you that I’m sorry about what happened between us, because I’m not.” I shook my head. “I thought I had real feelings for you until I met someone else, someone who I truly cared for. So if I wasn’t done with you befor
e, for what you did, I sure as hell am now.”
The tears started streaming down her face and I sighed. “I don’t wish you any harm, Katie. But get on with your life. It’s got nothing to do with me—it never did.”
I followed Aileen Delaney outside. I had a million questions swirling through my head, not the least of which was: “What the hell was that all about?”
“Nothing.” She gestured vaguely in the direction of Katie’s house. “I just needed to make sure that you weren’t still in love with that girl.”
“I don’t… I don’t understand.”
Aileen secured her wrap around her artfully, then smoothed her hair over her shoulders. “If you’re going to date my daughter, you need to be emotionally available.”
“She doesn’t… I haven’t heard from Madison, Mrs. Delaney.”
“You should probably do something about that.” Chip hustled out and opened the door for her. “Her office is that way.” She pointed down the avenue. “And the next time you come for dinner, try not to punch anyone out, all right dear?”
“Wait.” I stepped forward and she paused before getting in. “I thought you didn’t think I was good enough for your daughter.”
She shrugged one elegant shoulder. “No one is, darling. But at least you have some testicoli. That goes a long way in a relationship. You also seem to have a semi-decent head on your shoulders—except when you’re fighting, referring to yourself in the third person, or blowing it with my daughter, of course.”
I coughed. “Of course.”
“My daughter deserves the best. So give it to her.” She got into the car and Chip tipped his cap at me. I watched as they disappeared down the road.
And I just stared after them, scratching my head.
Chapter Twenty-Four
MADISON
