Page 55 of Be My Valentine

Emma reached them and stared at Kate, who returned her gaze.

“You knew! You were my friend.”

“I’m still your friend, Kate, please, let’s talk about this calmly.”

She shook her head, furious.

“You had no right. I’m not one of your projects to be fixed, I’m a person! I’ve never asked for a handout in my life, when things fell apart, I worked, always!”

Mark shouted back, frustrated that he couldn’t explain, that he couldn’t hug her or touch her.

“Yes, you worked! Killing yourself and coming home who knows what time, risking running into some jerk, alone, at night!”

“And instead, I ran into you! Oh, how lucky I was!” sarcasm tore through stunted sobs “Was I a plaything? Or a poor beggar to bestow your alms upon? I really am an idiot… I fell in love while you were just acting.”

“It wasn’t an act, it was me!” yelled Mark.

Kate pierced him with her glare, her eyes flashing with sudden awareness.

“You said you didn’t want me to come back late at night. Did you ask Mr. Campbell to send me away? You got me fired…” it was no longer a question. She understood “What else did you do! What?” Kate screamed. Every attempt to placate her was in vain.

“I gave you the shoes…” Said Mark.

Kate blinked and looked at the Louboutins she held tightly in her fist.

“You bastard!” she hurled them violently at him. She ran the back of her hand under the dripping nose “Go ahead and bang your dear friend, believe me, she can’t wait! And you won’t even have to write a check!”

She clutched herself, seeking comfort in the empty embrace. She looked up at the road, desperate for help.

Alone, alone, alone… I am alone.

She saw the group of drivers standing on the sidewalk on the opposite side. Among them she recognized Hugh. He was the only possibility. She crossed the street like a frightened deer, hearing Mark cursing.

The driver of the Arrow family did not shirk. He slipped off his coat and wrapped her in it.

“This way, Kate.” He’d driven her for three weeks around the streets of New York, heard her organize, laugh, correct, Kate hoped he wouldn’t abandon her, and Hugh didn’t. Holding her firmly by the shoulders, he opened the door for her.

Kate gasped when she felt Mark’s fist on the hood. Hugh started the car and drove her away.

She was still shaking when she arrived in front of the house.

“Thank you. I hope I didn’t cause you too much trouble.”

“I wouldn’t have left a girl in trouble alone.”

“Thank you, Hugh.”

Alone

Her mother was still on the couch and looked at her alarmed.

“What happened?”

Kate shook her head.

“Whose coat is this? And where are your shoes?”

“I can’t stay here. He’s going to come after me. I don’t want to see him, Mom, please, I don’t want to!”