And how would Karen know what my type is? Sam is exactly what I want. True, she’s different than the others. Her beauty is subtle, natural, and not in your face. She isn’t plastic and doesn’t need gobs of shit on her face to look stunning. More importantly, she’s just as genuine on the inside as she is on the outside.
“Not exactly.” I don’t clarify because that answer is true for both her statements. “But she’s the right girl, and she doesn’t compare herself to my best friend.”
She fish mouths a few unspoken words before she spins on her heels and swiftly walks away.
“That was Karen?” Sam asks glancing up at me.
I nod.
“That was interesting. I guess I should go find her,” Jenna sighs before she turns and strides off.
But it’s Cate’s face that has gone pale that has me concerned as she walks away and stands against the wall as if she needs it to help her remain uptight.
“Sam, I need to go check on Cate.”
She pats my forearm. “Sure, I have some things I need to check on anyway.”
I weave my way over to Cate.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
She glances up as though she hadn’t noticed me walk over.
“I can’t stay here.”
I search around to locate Sam needing to tell her I have to leave. “Sure, I’ll take you home,” I say absently to Cate.
“It’s not that, Ben. I need to leave Charleston. I can’t stay in South Carolina. I feel Drew everywhere I go, which should be a good thing. Instead, I feel like crying all the time. I need to move so that maybe I can get past this melancholy I feel.”
“Cate.” But what can I say? “I feel it too.” I haven’t been doing my job as her protector very well as of late. “I was at my parents’ the other day and outside I could picture Drew and me as kids. God, Cate, it hurts like a dagger in my chest knowing I can’t call because he’s not here and never will be again. I almost hate going to my parents’ for that reason.”
She clings to me and I draw her into a hug. I think back to so many days we’d ended up in this very position hiding our suffering from Drew. We didn’t want him to see our pain as he faded away into nothingness. Our grief has tied us together in a way that only the two of us can share. For that reason, I want to beg her to stay because I selfishly need her. Something I would do, except Drew counted on me. And I can’t let him down because I have no way of explaining to him my shortcomings. He would want me to let her go so she can live her life.
When we pull back, her eyes shimmer with tears. “I’ve been offered a position in Washington, DC, and I think I’m going to take it. It will be a fresh start.”
“I don’t want you to go, but I get it. And know I’ll be here whenever you need me.” She nods and I help her to a chair where she sits. I’m not sure a drink will cut it, but I say it anyway. “Stay here. Let me get you a drink.”
As I make my way over to the cash bar, I see Horace heading my way and we meet near where my sister stands with Kenneth. I scan the room and Karen is nowhere in sight, which is a good thing.
“Horace,” I say with a grin. The guy has a way that makes it hard not to smile in his presence.
“Happy to see me again?”
Automatically, I glance down at my dick, which thankfully isn’t tenting my pants this time.
“Haha, made you look.”
I shake my head and chuckle because he got me.
“You’re a little late for the client meeting.”
He pats my shoulder. “I’m actually not here for this. I’m meeting someone and saw you. I thought I’d come and say hi.”
“Oh. Too good to come to our meeting?”
He flashes me a smile. “Not too good, just too busy. Besides, I trust you with my money … and other things if you’d let me.”
My jaw hangs loose because what the hell do you say to that?
“Close your mouth, darling. Wouldn’t want you to catch flies with all that honey you have going on,” he adds.
I actually feel my cheeks burn as my sister takes two steps over seeing my discomfort.
“I must meet the man that made my brother blush. I’m sure this is a first.”
Horace proudly reaches out his hand. “Ah, what a lovely specimen you are.”
Jenna gives him her hand and he draws her in for a full on hug. “Well, I can see why your man there is giving me the death glare. You’re beautiful. But then you are your brother’s sister.”
Kenneth glares at Horace with what must be jealousy. When he releases Jenna, he says to Kenneth, “You’re one lucky guy. I’m sure you would never leave your date waiting.”
Kenneth’s cheeks flame pink and I’m beginning to think Horace has that effect on everyone, guys at least.
“Your date stood you up?” Jenna asks, more interest in this line of conversation.
“Not exactly, but he’s surely making me wait. And he knows how I so hate to wait.”
She takes his arm like they’re best buddies.
“Boyfriends suck,” Jenna teases.
“Don’t they?” Horace says leaning in as if they are sharing a secret just between the two of them. Either that or he’s making a joke of the double entendre. “But in all honesty, I have a fiancée. She’s out with the girls. I’m meeting a friend.”