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On the way here, Cat told me about her plans to go see Spencer after Julianna’s birthday celebration, and it made me feel a little sick to my stomach. It’s been over two months since they started dating. I knew this was coming, and I’m honestly surprised it hasn’t yet. What I find so troublesome is the fact that I’m still not ready to hear it. Spencer is typically a subject I tend to avoid with Cat as much as possible. It’s not that I’m not happy for her. I am. It’s still a little awkward, though. I don’t think I can handle hearing about what goes down between them in the bedroom. Not when the memory of what it felt like with his hands and mouth on me is still so fresh.
Spencer’s relentless mission to befriend me isn’t helping matters either. Normally, I find it easy to keep people out, but he always seems to find a way in. I’m growing fonder of him, getting more attached, which isn’t good. When we were out shopping for Cat, I mentioned The Wizard was one of my favorite movies growing up. What does the bastard do? He finds me a damn DVD copy for Christmas.
“He’s definitely all of those things,” Cat says.
Another big bite of cake goes into my mouth, suppressing my urge to groan.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me how Cat met him, Lori,” Julianna says, shoving my shoulder.
I look up at them, then pick up my wine and take a sip to wash down the cake so I can speak. “Sure I did, in the coffee shop.”
What I didn’t tell her was he’d been there looking for me. They don’t know it could be me gushing about how perfect he is right now. As soon as I finish the thought, the red velvet cake sours in my stomach. I don’t know what my issue is, but this guilt and jealousy isn’t like me at all. Given the chance, I doubt I would do things any differently. I’d choose Cat’s happiness over my own any day, but that isn’t even the reason I chose to walk away from Spencer.
“No, I’m talking about when he was waiting at the hospital with Lizzy,” Julianna says.
I nod. “Oh, right…he’s Officer Hotbod.”
Cat grins at my statement, and my own cheeks heat as an image of him in his uniform pops into my head, forcing me to avert my eyes again. She talked about Spencer for months after Xander’s accident, but I’m not sure I was really listening. Maybe if I had, I would’ve known who he was that day in the coffee shop. Then we never would’ve shared that night together. Perhaps then, I would be genuinely happy for my best friend the way I want to be.
“I know you’re a cynic when it comes to matters of the heart, but even you have to admit that’s romantic,” Julianna teases.
I sit back in my chair, crossing my arms as I eye the three of them. “Yep, it’s the perfect beginning to an epic love story.”
Spencer
Cat stands in my doorway, biting on her bottom lip to hide her grin. I hadn’t been expecting her, but I can’t say I’m disappointed to see her. She looks sexy as hell. Her full lips are painted red, her dark chocolate hair in ringlets around her shoulders. The staple t-shirt, jeans, and flannel shirt have been replaced with a tight-fitting black dress that has a plunging neckline, showcasing her large bust.
“Well, hello there.” Smiling, I step back to open the door wider and gesture for her to come inside. She must be freezing, and I’m betting her lack of coat is for my benefit. My eyes roam over her again as she walks past me. I turn to close and lock the door, wondering if she showed up for a very specific reason.
She seems nervous as I reach out for her and place my hands on her cold arms, rubbing them to warm her as I kiss her forehead. “You look beautiful. Did you have fun with the girls?”
She nods, heading into the living room. Cat is allergic to Elvis, so I hurry to put him out back before taking a seat next to her on the couch.
Cat beams as she shifts to get comfortable, her pumps falling to the floor before she sweeps her feet up to rest next to her. “I know the circumstances of Julianna’s return home aren’t great,” she says, “but it was so nice for the four of us to be back together again. And Lizzy…” Her eyes light up, her hands coming together as if she’s praying. “God, she seems so much happier. It’s like night and day. She’d never admit it to me, but I know it’s because of Brenden. Julianna told me she’s been spending a lot of time with him and they talk on the phone every night.”
Cat is an extremely beautiful woman, but the love she has for her sister is hands down her most attractive quality. It doesn’t escape me that the fierce way she loves her family and friends is the only trait she shares with her nearly polar opposite best friend.
“Does that mean she still doesn’t know you set that whole thing into motion?”
When she confessed to me how she’d helped a random guy hook up with her sister, I thought it was a terrible idea. But I’d seen how broken Lizzy was the day her husband died. It reminded me of my mother when my father died. Maybe if someone had cared enough to interfere in my mother’s life, she could have been happy again, allowing me to get some semblance of a normal life back.
But I don’t say any of that to Cat. I still haven’t even told her about my parents yet.
“Oh yeah, if she knew, she’d probably stop talking to him simply to spite me. Never mind that she’s in a better place because of it or that he makes her happy.”
“So, you’re saying it’s okay to keep a secret from someone you care about so long as you’re doing it for them—to ensure their happiness?”
The guilt of my secret gnaws at my gut as I wait for her response.
“Well…yeah. Why? Are you saying you don’t agree?”
“No, not at all.” If anything, I needed to hear she felt the same way. I hate keeping the situation with Lori from Cat, but I don’t believe her knowing would be good for any of us.
“I only interfered in the first place to help her.”
“I know your heart was in the right place, I didn’t mean to make it sound like I thought otherwise. You’re right. She probably wouldn’t have agreed to be his friend if she knew you were involved.”
“Friend…” she groans. “Why can’t she admit she has feelings for him?”
