As Matt made his way across the wooden platform, he was grateful for the fact that they were alone. It was always a crapshoot when coming here.
Normally he didn’t care if others were around. But today was different, and he wanted their special moment to be private.
“Hey, sweet girl,” he said from behind her.
Matt thought maybe she’d swing her body around, but she just stood there. Staring out at the North Pacific waves.
Maybe she didn’t hear you.
Using the extra minute to its fullest, Matt took in the view, appreciating the slow curve of her lean figure as he silently closed the distance between them. Without another word, he reached for her hips and spoke softly in her ear.
“Hey, beautiful.”
On a start, Kat turned to face him. Instead of the smile that always brightened his day, she stared back at him with an uneasy expression.
“Hi, Matt.”
Hi, Matt?
It had been nearly a month since they’d last seen each other, and that’s all he got? No hug and kiss. Not even a ghost of a smile.
Matt’s gut began to churn like it did when he was on an op that was about to go sideways. Something was off. Way off.
“What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing,” she lied badly.
“Kat.” His tone brokered no argument.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Tears welled in her eyes, but not for the reason he’d imagined while driving here.
“It’s okay.” Matt placed his hands on her bare shoulders. “Take your time and tell me why you’re so upset.” Though she didn’t feel cold, Kat trembled beneath his touch. “Okay, Katherine, seriously. You’re starting to scare me. What’s going on?”
Without looking at him, she whispered, “I think…” She swallowed and began again. “I think we should…take a break.”
What. The. Fuck?
Matt stared back at her as he thought of the ring burning a hole inside his pocket. Unable to believe what he’d just heard, he did everything he could to control his voice.
“You’re breaking up with me?”
Sniffling, Kat wiped her nose with the back of her hand and shook her head. “I didn’t say that. I said I thought we needed to take a break.”
Matt’s voice raised as he dropped his hands and took a step back. “That’s pretty much the same damn thing, Kat.”
Okay, so maybe his control was already gone, but fuck. He had no idea why she was doing this.
You know why.
“This is because of your father, isn’t it?”
Kat’s dad had been trying to drive a wedge between them from day one. It was the reason Matt hadn’t gone to him, asking for permission for her hand. He already knew what the asshole’s answer would’ve been, so he hadn’t bothered wasting his breath.
Still avoiding eye contact, Kat looked everywhere but at him. Swiping the tears from her cheeks, she cleared her throat and said, “This is my decision.”
“Then why can’t you look me in the eye?”
Naturally, the beautiful, stubborn woman did just that. Normally Matt could read her like a book, but there was a guarded, almost emotionless look in her eyes. One he’d never seen before.
