But I don’t let her finish. “He’s … we’re … together.” I’m not sure what she was truly implying, but I have a damn good idea. And for whatever reason, I want to protect him at all costs.
She cocks her head and we lock gazes. For a long time. “I love my brother. Very much. So does Cate here. They’ve both been through an extremely difficult time. Last year was, well, I won’t go into it, but let’s just say I don’t want my brother to get hurt. I know what his reputation is around town, and that it’s not very good. But the fact that he’s told you about Drew says a lot to me.”
Cate cuts in. “What’s she’s trying to say is that he acts tough, but losing Drew …” her eyes fill and I sweep my eyes for the nearest napkin. I pick one up and hand it to her. “Thanks. Ben doesn’t give himself much credit. But without him, I wouldn’t have survived. He’s got the biggest heart but hates to show it. Please, don’t hurt him.”
My hand presses to my chest because it suddenly aches for Ben. And when I look at Cate, I blink repeatedly to force the tears back. The pain these two people endured when they lost the man they loved so much must have been gut wrenching, and still is, from all accounts.
Jenna’s back like they are tag teaming me. “To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure he would survive getting his heart broken. And then I’ll be forced to kick your ass.”
Swallowing to get rid of the giant nugget that’s formed in my throat, I say, “I’m not in the habit of breaking hearts.” I let out a rueful laugh. “I’m usually the one on the receiving end of the breaks. I’m pretty sure Ben’s is safe with me.”
Both women smile at me and that’s when the subject of our discussion shows up.
“Ah, I see you’ve met my Sam.” And he puts his arm over my shoulders.
“Yes, I see you’ve changed your mind?” Jenna smirks.
“Where have you been hiding her, Ben?” Cate asks.
He ignores his sister leaving me to wonder what she meant and answers Cate. “Here and there.”
“I wish Drew were here to see this.”
There is weariness in Cate’s eyes, but Jenna’s already talking.
“You need to stop that and bring her over for Sunday dinner.”
There is some sort of challenge in Jenna’s words.
“I will,” he says as he leans down to kiss my cheek. I look up at him and smile back. He seems so much happier now than he was earlier. I’d like to think it’s me, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.
The rest of the employees start trickling in and soon the party is in full swing. Food and drinks are flowing, and the band we hired is playing. People are dancing including Ben and me. It’s a great time and I’m even having fun getting to know Jenna and Cate.
We’re all standing in a small circle, including Nick, when Ben looks up and says with a scowl, “Who the hell invited her?”
I follow the direction of his gaze and see a gorgeous blond headed our way. She’s wearing a short black skirt, stilettos, and a top that bares her midriff. She makes a beeline straight for Ben, wraps her arms around his neck, and says, “Hello, honey. Didn’t you miss your fiancée?”
If I’ve ever felt like a deer in headlights, it’s now. What is Karen doing here? Why the fuck does she think she’s my fiancée? Is she completely delusional? I pry her arms from around my neck as Samantha stands there like she’s seen a ghost, her eyes large and confused.
“Ben, I’ve missed you. Now I understand—you were pushing me away. You were planning a proposal. I’m so stupid. But it makes sense you haven’t been seeing anyone.”
Snapping out of my stunned stupor, I step back, putting space between us. “I’m not sure why you’re here, but I never planned to propose to you.”
Her high frequency smile falters as she glances around. “That can’t be. I got a call from someone at your office saying you wondered why I hadn’t come to the client meeting earlier. I hadn’t thought you wanted to see me, so I didn’t. I was told by the caller you specifically asked about me.”
Gears churn in my head as I wonder who at the office made that call. Maybe someone contacted her because she’s a client, and Karen read more into it.
“I can assure you, I never asked for you.” I pull Sam over. She stumbles towards me, taken off guard by my sudden need to tuck her against my side, apparently as stunned by Karen’s appearance as I am. “I don’t think my girlfriend would like that.”
Karen’s eyes bug out before she takes a stumbling step back. “Girlfriend!” she shrieks, garnering the attention of everyone around us. “You told me … I thought you didn’t do relationships.”
“Things change.”
Her eyes narrow as she assesses Sam.
“You’re finally over your best friend’s death and you pick the first girl to cross your path. She’s not even your type.”