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Kat placed her drink on the table and settled back in her seat. “Not much, yet. But I’m hopeful for more than what his lawyers offered.”
“Was he being cheap?” Morgan asked, an appalled look on her face.
“No, not at all. He was extremely generous, actually. But I guess I’m looking for something different from him. To be honest, what I want is a family for my child. For us both. I grew up with busy parents who were always working, and then they were gone and I was all alone in the world. I want to do this differently. I don’t just want money from Finn, I want his time. Real, quality time.”
“Do you want to get married?” Jade asked. “It seems like a big leap after a single date, especially for Finn, but I’m sure that’s what Dad is going to be pushing for.”
“Yes,” Kat admitted. “I know it seems silly in this day and age, but I do want to get married to my baby’s father. I know I don’t love Finn and he doesn’t love me, but this is about more than that. It’s about creating a supportive and loving environment for the baby to grow up in. Maybe love will come in time. I don’t know. I can only hope that Finn will step up and do the right thing, and that everything works out.”
“Well, Finn is always surprising people,” Morgan said. “I hope for your sake that he takes this seriously and you get everything you’re hoping for. Then you can name the baby after her sweet and supportive Aunt Morgan.”
Nine
Sawyer didn’t pay much attention to the fireworks, the patriotic music or the impressive desserts the yacht’s chef brought out when they were over. No, his mind was someplace else, thanks to overhearing Kat’s discussion with his sisters.
After she’d walked out on him at lunch the other day, he couldn’t decide if he was irritated or grateful. She’d pushed him away and he’d pushed back twice as hard on reflex. Maybe it was for the best, after everything he’d overheard tonight, but he couldn’t help but feel like crap since it happened. He wanted to apologize for the ugly things he’d said. He’d almost pulled her aside twice today to do just that. The first time he’d been stopped by a text from Steele security about District protesters outside their corporate offices. Even with Kat on the boat with him, he knew she was behind it. He’d stewed about it for a while and then went to find her again after his chess game. He found her with his sisters and hesitated. Now that he’d heard what she’d said to Jade and Morgan, he was glad he hadn’t spoken to her alone. He needed to butt out of the whole situation.
Kat wanted to marry Finn and live happily ever after with their daughter. She knew the odds were stacked against her, and yet she wanted the best for her baby, and he could tell she wouldn’t rest until she had it. Before Finn even knew what hit him, he’d be swept away in a tide of domesticity. He’d own a nice house in a good school district, drive a minivan and be celebrating his fifth wedding anniversary with Kat. Somehow, he did everything wrong and was going to be rewarded with a woman and a life he didn’t deserve.
For the third time in recent memory, Sawyer was practically green with jealously of Finn. He hated that feeling.
And so he’d started smothering it with alcohol. Or trying to. The Scotch had unfortunately kicked in right about the time the yacht returned to port and everyone was unloading to go home.
Sawyer ordered a coffee and chugged it so hot he burned his tongue, but he wasn’t sure it was going to be enough. He stumbled a bit heading down the stairs, but was lucky enough for Harley to be there and keep him from hitting the deck with his face.
“Whoa, there. Do we need to call you a car, Sawyer?” Harley asked. “I’d give you a ride, but you live the wrong way.”
“Shh,” Sawyer slurred, and looked around for Trevor and Patricia. “Don’t make a fuss about it or my folks will make me ride home with them and stay at the house. I do not want to sober up with our housekeeper’s homemade hangover juice.”
“Ugh,” Morgan groaned. “I think Lena just made us drink that as a punishment for partying as teenagers. It doesn’t help the hangover at all.”
“Well, you can’t drive. Can you just sleep over on the boat tonight?”
“I’ll take him home. I’m pretty sure it’s on my way. Pregnant women are nature’s designated drivers, anyway.”
Sawyer turned around to see Kat standing nearby. She was the last person he needed to be alone with while his filter was down and his tongue was loose. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll talk to the captain about crashing here.”
“No, you won’t. You drove me home when my Jeep wouldn’t start. I owe you one. Just promise me you won’t throw up in the Lexus. You can’t regift a car that smells like puke.”
She smiled at her joke and his heart started racing in his chest. Kat had a light sweater pulled over her bare shoulders to protect from the chill of the sea air, but earlier, she’d worn only the strapless navy blue sundress. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and it swung back and forth when she walked. He’d wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked today, casual and elegant, but it had seemed like a bad idea. Lately, all his ideas were bad ones.
“I promise,” he said instead. Perhaps some time alone would be what he needed to apologize, and then both of them could move on.
Harley and River helped Sawyer walk off the boat, and loaded him into her passenger seat while Morgan put Sawyer’s address into the GPS. “Are you sure you can handle him?” Harley asked with concerned eyes.
Kat nod
ded and climbed into the car beside him. “I’ll be fine. I’ll just slap him when we get to his place and he’ll wake right up.”
Harley’s and River’s laughter was muted by the slamming of the car door. As she started the engine, Sawyer pushed himself up in the seat and put on his seat belt for the ride.
“Thank you for driving me home even though you hate me.”
“It’s not a problem, and I don’t hate you. You might be a jerk sometimes, but I don’t want you driving if it isn’t safe.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, after an extended silence.
Kat turned to him for a moment before merging into the traffic and heading to his place. “You’re sorry for what?”
