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“But yeah,” Simon confirmed. “We’re going to meet over coffee so he can give me some pointers on starting a new business.”
Her hand tightened on his. “I’m so glad to hear it.” She brought his hand to her lips, kissing it before she got to her feet and pulled him up with her. “If you’re going to get coffee in the morning, you should probably get to bed.” Her face drew nearer to his and her voice lowered. “I’ll come by your place when you’re done, okay?”
“Sheesh, you two. Get a room already,” Daniel muttered, his fun having been spent.
Simon chuckled. He brushed Katrina’s hair from her face and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Katrina had thoughtshe couldn’t have been happier when she’d gotten her job in New York. Then when she’d moved to LA. Coming home had been like experiencing a death in the family, but it wasn’t a person she’d mourned—it was her career.
There was still a hole in her heart, longing for what might have been, and she wasn’t prepared to give up on that dream just yet. But for now, she was going to see where this thing with Simon would go.
She wasn’t an idiot. She knew they were still two very different people with two very different ideas of what they wanted out of life, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t find a way to make it work.
If she ended up finding a job that she was happy with, they would cross that bridge when they came to it.
This new change in her life created a fresh zest that had her looking at everything differently. The sky was brighter, the lavender scent in the fields was sweeter. Life in general seemed more fulfilling than before.
And all because she’d found the connection she’d been craving.
Katrina got up early on Saturday morning to help Bo with the chores. She didn’t make one complaint and found it humorous when she overheard her brothers talking about the fact that something had gotten into her.
Apparently, Daniel hadn’t had a chance to spill the beans to Bo, Andrew, or Jack. They’d find out eventually. For now, she fully intended on sharing her news with only one other person.
She pulled up in front of Brianne’s house at barely past seven. Brianne probably wasn’t even out of bed yet. They’d had a late night and she wasn’t born and raised on a ranch.
Luckily, she didn’t live with her family either, so Katrina could pound on her door all morning long.
Her fist connected with the wooden barrier several times before the door swung open and a bleary-eyed Brianne glowered at her. “What are you doing? Do you even know what time it is?” she demanded.
Katrina pushed past her, holding up the two coffee cups she’d grabbed on her way over. “I got coffee.”
Brianne’s place was on the small side, and no amount of open concept was enough to make it feel bigger. The kitchen had a total of six cupboards, a single sink, and it was void of a dishwasher. But Brianne could afford it and she liked to be on her own, so this was where they hung out when Katrina got tired of her family.
“So? I didn’t get to bed until four hours ago.”
Katrina whirled around and stared at her friend. “What are you talking about? You left before Simon did.”
At the mere mention of Simon’s name, Brianne reacted. He was right. She wouldn’t be able to hide the fact that she knew something. That much was certain.
Moving across the room, Katrina pushed the hot cup at her friend. “Tell me you didn’t stay up all night talking on the phone to Jackson’s friend.”
Another chagrined look.
“Brianne! You said you have to leave some mystery. What happened to making sure they want to keep coming back?”
“Well, you certainly have that with Jackson. I don’t know what you did to him, but he keeps pestering us to go on another double.”
Katrina lifted one brow, taking a sip of her drink. She waited for a moment before speaking. “Us?”
“Yeah, his friend. He wanted us to all do something tonight.”
This was it. This would be the moment when Brianne would have to tell her. Based on the vague message last night, Katrina hadn’t been entirely sure that Brianne would spill Simon’s secret. This morning, she had a better idea of what might be discussed.
Now, she needed to hear it from her friend’s own lips. “You didn’t tell him that I was available, did you? I got your message—the one about going out tonight. Tell me you didn’t agree to give Jackson one more chance.”
Brianne took a gulp of her drink and winced, then shot Katrina a dark look. “Of course not. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
