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“I mean, I can check on the cat in the evenings, if you want,” I add, sensing conflict brewing.
“No, don’t go out of your way.” Kate beams at Rob. “Tabby’s pretty shy anyway. Just feed her twice a day, and you’ll have a friend for life.”
“I can handle that.” Rob’s relenting nod doesn’t foster confidence.
I search his profile, noting the firm set of his jaw and the crow’s-feet at the corners of his eyes. I recognize his body language. He’s holding back. Putting on a front. It’s as familiar to me as my own reflection. A pinch of sympathy manages to infiltrate to my walled-off heart.
“Are you sure?” Kate asks.
“Positive.” A tight smile curves his lips.
“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.” Kate shifts the conversation to the wedding, but I’m still fixed on Rob’s profile.
He finishes the wine in his glass and sets it aside. His gaze shifts to me, and I see exhaustion in the depths of his kind eyes.
I lean closer. “Rough day at the office?”
“You could say that.” He drops his gaze to the half-empty plate on the table.
“Too many nurses to choose from?” I tease. It bothers me when he’s in such a somber mood. I miss his smile and poke a little to stir the pot. “Did one of them shoot you down?”
“Damn it, Marcy.” He shakes his head and pierces me with a stern look. “Just sitting in your ivory tower judging everyone beneath you doesn’t give you the right to make assumptions about my life. Or my job.”
“I—”
“You’re what? Sorry?” He scoffs. “Save it, all right? I’m not in the mood for your bullshit tonight.”
My jaw drops when Rob shoves away from the table and stalks across the room. After he disappears through the archway into the bar, I turn to Kate and Arthur. Their stunned expressions mirror mine.
“What did you say to him?” Arthur narrows his eyes at me.
“Nothing. I...I made a joke...” My voice drifts off when my brother shakes his head.
“After all these years, you just can’t ease up, can you?”
Shame settles in the pit of my gut. I drop my hands to my lap. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“You never do.” Arthur stands and kisses Kate’s forehead. “I’ll be right back.” He trails after his best friend without another word.
Damn it. I bite my lip and stifle the tears threatening to ruin my mascara.
Kate slides into Rob’s seat and rests her hand on mine. “It’s okay, hon. I’m sure he’s just had a rough day at work. He didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“Yeah, he did.” I sniff. “I shouldn’t have teased him like that. I thought it would make him laugh.”
“Has he ever done that before?”
“Never.”
“Hmm.” Kate pats my hand. “How long have you known Rob?”
“Years.” The memories flood my brain. I can still remember the first time I saw him. Young and determined. Handsome as hell. “He was premed at Georgetown, where he met my brother. Arthur brought him home for Christmas. I was seventeen.”
I fell in love with him at seventeen, but he wouldn’t give me the time of day.
Kate’s eyes brighten. “You had a crush on him, didn’t you?”
“Maybe a little one.” I push aside my rising emotions. “But it vanished quickly. He wasn’t interested in anything but studying medicine and chasing older women.”
