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My heart jumps at the sound of her name. “Yes, send her back.” While I wait, I clear my desk and run a hand through my hair. I can only imagine what a mess it is. I’ve probably tugged on it a hundred times today. Then I blow my breath into my hand, checking that I smell okay.
I grab a mint just in case.
As the door to my office opens, I snatch the first thing I can find on my desk to make myself look busy and grimace when I realize I’ve picked up the stapler. I squeeze it a few times, because what the fuck else am I going to do?
“You okay over there?” she says, zeroing in on my hand.
I squeeze it a few more times and smirk. “Just working out my hands. I was getting a cramp. Don’t you do this? If not, you should. It’s totally good for your fingers…and you know how I need to keep my fingers strong.”
Her face contorts as she scrutinizes me. “Are you okay?”
No.
“Who me? I’m fine. Why are you acting so weird?”
She lets out a nervous laugh and points to the chair. “Can I sit, or should I leave you alone to finish your workout?”
I drop the stapler like it’s got rabies and the staples I’ve needlessly set free scatter across my desk. “All done.” I turn my attention to her. “So, uh, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
She clears her throat, crosses her legs, and places her hands flat against her knee. “Well, um, I came to say that I think I was wrong.”
“About?”
“Grace.”
Surprised by the topic, I lean back in my chair and observe her for a moment. I want to ask her about Chloe, but maybe she’s trying to let me down easy. Maybe Chloe wants nothing to do with me, and Cat is buttering me up with this. I rub my hand over my face and silence my racing thoughts. When I focus on Cat again, she’s looking at me like I’m insane.
“Really? Why do you say that?”
She licks her lips, and my eyes track her tongue before it darts back. “I had lunch with her and Tessa. They told me everything. I’m…I’m sorry I didn’t listen.”
“That’s hard for you, huh?” I tease, feigning a levity I don’t feel. Hoping she can’t see how I’m dying inside and silently begging her to get to what I really want to know.
She rolls her eyes. “I admit I didn’t handle everything well. But to be fair, you sprang a lot of shit on me.”
I blow out a breath and steeple my hands below my chin. “I did. And for the record, Kitten, I’m sorry too. I wish I could change the past.”
She nods. “I know. My point is…maybe we could start over?”
“I’m not following.”
“We’re going to be married,” she says, swallowing thickly. “If that’s still what you want.” She looks out the window before meeting my eyes. “I mean, if you just wanted the company, I understand.”
“I want you,” I blurt with far less finesse than I’m known for. Then I swallow my fears and put my heart on the line. “You’re it for me, Cat. You are the only thing I want. You and Chloe…if she’s open to meeting me, that is.”
Cat drops her gaze to the floor, and my stomach plummets. But then she drags her focus back to me, and I’m hit with a look I wasn’t ready for. Happiness. Maybe even relief. As if, maybe, just maybe, I said the right thing for once.
“She’d like to meet you.”
“She would?” I practically shout in disbelief, bolting upright in my chair, which causes it to roll away from the desk.
She shakes her head, but her eyes remain bright. “Yes, but you have to play it cool.”
“I’m cool.” With a scoff, I give her the coolest look I have and hit her with a smolder.
She laughs and shuts her eyes. “No. No, you are not. But it’s okay. I’m not cool when it comes to her either.”
My chest squeezes at the smile on her face as I settle into easy banter with my favorite person. It’s like coming home. A soft blanket that’s worn in all the right places. “You’re not?”
