Gwen frowns at Cat. “Don’t go yet.”
But she’s already gathering her purse, unable to escape fast enough. “I’m tired, and I have a bunch of stuff that needs to be done early tomorrow.”
She’s upset with me, I think, although I can’t be 100-percent sure. Somehow whenever I’m around her, I end up making things worse instead of better. It bothers me. It shouldn’t, but it does. I should let her go on her way and find a woman to take out my frustration on, like I’ve been telling myself I should do for weeks.
But of course, that’s not what I do.
When Gabe slides out of the seat to allow her an exit, I follow right behind her. “Wait.”
She turns, looking back at me. “Yeah?”
I meet her eyes. “Can you give me a lift?”
Two lines appear on her forehead. She glances around the table, probably wondering what she can say to reject the request without raising suspicion.
I head her off. “Since we are going to the same place.”
She flashes a glare before her face clears. “Sure.”
I’m not sure if I’m relieved or want to kick myself. I guess my desire to clear the air is stronger than my sense of self preservation. No surprise there.
We say our goodbyes and walk out of the place. We enter her car in silence. The drive is tense. She doesn’t make conversation and neither do I.
I’m still trying to gather my thoughts and formulate a plan when she pulls up in front of the small cabin I call home. I stare at the front door. Maybe it’s best to get out of this car and leave everything unspoken, but I don’t move.
Finally she loses patience and points to the porch. “Are we done here?”
“I don’t know, are we?” Stupid question.
Her head jerks in my direction. “Yeah, I think we are.”
I shift to face her. “It seems I always do the wrong thing where you’re concerned.”
She stares out through the windshield, refusing to meet my gaze. “We’re on the same page.”
And yet she’s angry. “It’s the smart page. The page we both agreed on.”
“I know.” She points at my front door. “You can go now.”
I could, but things feel unfinished. “I have something I need to say.”
“What’s that?” Her tone is well modulated, but the tension in her shoulders gives her away.
Nothing can change the way things need to be, but I want her to understand. “I want you. I feel like you doubt that, but don’t. It’s hard for me to stay away from you.”
She opens her mouth to speak, but I’m not sure this conversation leads to anywhere good, so I continue, “Goodnight, Cat.”
I climb out of the car and walk up the two steps that lead to the safety inside.
9
Cat
Ican’t sleep. It’s too hot, the sheets are tangled, and I keep replaying Caden’s parting words in my head. Frustrated, I get out of bed, grab my phone, and go to the double doors that lead to the balcony off my bedroom. I walk outside, letting the warm breeze float across my skin.
I sit on the double chaise lounge, lean back against the thick cushions, and stare up at the stars twinkling bright in the sky. I discard my cell. It’s too pretty to surf the internet, and my mind needs quiet, not more distraction.
Distraction isn’t working for me.