He refused to listen, didn’t want to hear something that would justify doing what he wanted to do but knew would be wrong. He left her standing there and stormed back into the bedroom to get ready for the flight back to Dallas.
Couldn’t Kate see he was trying to protect her?
Or maybe he was trying to protect himself.
God, she missed him. Kate couldn’t believe how much. She was back at work, her apartment stripped of anything Jason had been keeping there, any reminder that he had ever been there. He had picked up his things as soon as they got back to Dallas.
The emptiness she felt without him ached like a hole in her heart.
His invisible presence was everywhere. He was so big and powerful, so much larger than life, it was impossible to forget him. She was more than half in love with him. Way more, if she were honest.
But she had known from the start this was how it would end, so she was at least somewhat prepared.
She immersed herself in work, made it a point to keep herself busy. She spent the days catching up and trying to drum up new business. She called Stan Weiner, CEO of Solerno Engineering, the potential client Andrew had mentioned. Weiner hadn’t hired a consulting firm yet. She had an interview with him at three o’clock that afternoon.
Lani called a little before noon and suggested they meet for a quick lunch. She needed to eat so she said yes. The Blue Cottage café was just down the block. She and Lani arrived at the same time and sat down at a table in front of the window.
Lani grabbed a menu, ran a hand through her short black hair as she perused the contents. She glanced over at Kate and smiled. “Okay, no use wasting time. What’s going on with Mr. Hot?”
Kate sighed and closed her menu. “We decided to stop the investigation. Well, actually, I decided. Mr. Hot decided that since his investigative services were no longer needed, neither were his services in the bedroom.”
“Wow.” Lani folded her menu, and set it on the table next to Kate’s. “I didn’t see that one coming.”
“Fortunately, I did. Jason isn’t a relationship kind of guy. I knew that from the start. It doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“I liked him. And I could swear he was really into you.”
The waitress, a plump, silver-haired woman whose name tag read Betty, came to take their orders.
“Cobb salad with blue cheese and a glass of iced tea,” Kate said.
“Same for me,” said Lani. Betty collected the menus and walked away.
“So what happened with the investigation?” Lani asked.
“It got too dangerous. I almost got Jason killed. I figured revenge wasn’t worth it.”
The iced tea arrived and Lani took a drink. “What happened?”
While they waited for their food, Kate filled her friend in on the flight down to Houston and the shootout that had convinced her to stop looking for Chrissy’s killer. “I didn’t really want to quit. I feel like I failed my sister again.”
“You did the right thing,” Lani insisted. “Your mom wouldn’t want you getting killed, too.”
The salads arrived, which gave Kate a chance to change the subject. She forced herself to eat. Lani made her laugh, then it was time to head back to work.
At one fifteen, she had a meeting scheduled with Jim and Vera Lockwood to review the package they were putting together. An outline of next year’s budget for New Hope, as well as the cost of expansion. Kate had spoken to Harper about it, and, as promised, Harper had arranged a presentation with the head of the Garrett family charities.
Kate checked her watch. She needed to get on the road if she was going to be on time. Her phone pinged as she rose from the chair behind her desk.
“Kate, it’s Vera. I’m afraid I have to cancel. I’m at the hospital. Holly’s in labor.”
A rush of excitement poured through her. “That’s great! Which hospital is she in?”
“Texas Presbyterian. She’s been in labor nearly six hours. First babies can take a while, you know. But the doctor thinks she’s going to deliver fairly soon.”
“Good, I’m coming down.”
“Really? Holly will be so thrilled. Jim’s on his way, too. I’ll have him bring the proposal so you can take a look at it while we’re waiting.”
