AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Catherine wraps her hands around my waist and rises onto the tips of her toes, resting her head on my shoulder. It’s a subtle move meant to de-escalate the conversation, and it works like a charm. Palmer disappears from my view, blurring into the background. All I feel is the warmth of Catherine. I twist my neck to capture her gaze and she is staring at me as if I’ve hung the moon. When she tips forward and places a quick peck on my lips, my heart stops beating.
“Are we done here, dear? I’ve made us reservations for lunch.” I whisper the words into the universe, hoping this dream never ends.
“I’m all yours babe.” Catherine may be constructing the words to destroy Palmer, but every syllable pulls me along for the ride. Words I know I shouldn’t believe, my heart pounds loudly attempting to drown out the words but it's too late. They can’t be unheard.
“Ummmm.” Palmer clears his throat pulling our attention to him. “Don’t mind me. Since when are you so public with your affections Catherine. I recall…”
I don’t wait this time. I won’t let him belittle her any longer. “The past is history Palmer. Stop reliving it. Maybe she’s changed or maybe she now has someone in her life she’s proud to flaunt in front of the world.” I pause to let the words sink in. Catherine slides next to me, her hand back in mine, a slight squeeze of support.
“We’ll see about that. I’ll see the two of you at the wedding.” Palmer steps in front of me and jabs a finger toward my chest, stopping an inch in front of me. “That is if she’s even bringing you.”
Catherine steps forward but I stop her movement with a hand on her slender shoulder. “I’m looking forward to meeting Ava and Carlos.” I register the surprised look on his face as he takes a step back. He hadn’t expected I’d know the details. I press my luck and pray I’ve read the situation correctly, “I’m her plus one, dude. Always will be from now on.”
I hold my breath, not for Palmer’s reaction but for Catherine’s. She tugs on my arm, forcing me to lean toward her. My reward another quiet kiss on my cheek and a not so soft whisper. “Aww, you are the sweetest, dear.”
Her words are like daggers to the soul of Palmer. I watch as he takes another step back as if physically assaulted. Defeat in his eyes and the fight escaping his body. I turn, giving him our backs, and walk away hand in hand with the woman who consumes both our thoughts.
In less than five minutes she’s not only put her ex back in his place but has me reconsidering everything I’ve planned in the last three months. All the hard work and sacrifice that requires me to remain focused placed in jeopardy because of one kiss, because of one woman.
But what a kiss.
What a woman.
