Jenna, never surprised by anything, says, “Well, maybe he’s hung up.”
“Oh, I’d say he’s hung … up.” He winks at her. “Anyway, it was nice meeting you. And Jenna, a beautiful woman like yourself deserves a ring on your finger. If he’s not going to put one there, maybe you should cut him loose.”
Kenneth looks on the verge of exploding, so I step between them. “Good seeing you, Horace.”
He gives me the once over. “Always good seeing you, Ben. If you ever change your mind …”
Sam walks over at that precise moment.
“Oh, you’re her,” Horace says taking her measure. Sam glances between us. He goes on as I cringe wondering what exactly he’ll say. “I came into Ben’s office when he was having a bit of trouble.” He grins at me and I shake my head. “He was looking at your picture, and I must say I can’t blame him for the not-so-small problem he had.”
Before he can say much more, I jump in.
“Sam, this is Horace. Horace, this is my Samantha.”
“Your Samantha. Good for you. Nice meeting you. But I think I need to go check on my friend. He might be pissed at me for not being where I’m supposed to be.”
Jenna laughs hysterically as Horace saunters off.
“Where’d Kenneth go?” I ask.
She points towards the exit. “He’s got a rage-on for some reason. You’d think I stuck a jalapeno in his boxers by the way he’s acting. He’s gone to the room to cool off.”
I turn my attention to Sam.
“Do you mind hanging with my sister for a little while? Cate isn’t doing so well and I’m going to take her to her room.”
Her eyes soften with understanding. “Is this about Drew?”
I nod, grateful I don’t have to explain. I’m more surprised that she gets it and isn’t stupidly jealous.
“I might be a while.” I don’t make it a question, but I do wait for her reaction.
“You take all the time you need. I’ll meet you in the room if you don’t make it back here.”
I lean in and kiss her lips. “God, you’re the best girlfriend ever.”
She laughs. “I’m your only ever girlfriend.”
I kiss her one more time before I have to force myself away knowing I’ve been gone too long from Cate. I finagle the purchase of a bottle of wine from the bar, though they said they only sold it by the glass. Then, I find Cate exactly where I left her.
“Come on. Let’s go to your room and see if this Merlot is up to snuff.”
“You don’t have to do that. You have someone waiting for you.”
“And if she’s worth it, or if I’m worth it to her, she’ll know how important you are to me. You’re my best friend, Cate. And you need me right now. Sam will be fine. She’s a big girl and can handle me not being with her every second.”
Cate lets me lead her out and to her room a few floors down from mine. It isn’t until we’re in her room that she finally speaks.
“Am I doing the right thing?”
We sit on the bed with our backs against the headboard. And I know she’s talking about moving. I tip my head back fighting the need to beg her to stay.
“I love you, Cate. I always will. And I’ll miss the hell out of you, but like I said before, I get it. You just promise me you won’t turn into a stranger on me.”
She leans over and kisses my cheek. “Never that.” Then she places her head on my shoulder.
Finally, I ask. “What about Mercer?”
She sits up. “What about him?”
If the guy hasn’t told her what he’s told me, it’s not my place. Still, I want to gauge how she feels about him.
“I have the feeling he’s interested in making you happy.”
She shakes her head. “He’s just a friend and I like him. But how can I possibly love someone else? And how could you want that for me?”
“I imagine it would be tough to top Drew. But he wanted you to be happy. I want you to be happy”
“I’m not ready,” she admits.
I glance down at her, tucking my finger under her chin so she’s forced to look me in the eye. “To be happy?”
She agrees and the tears begin to pour out of her eyes. I have a hard time keeping my eyes dry as I hold her.
I pull her into my lap and cradle her like she’s mine because tears are my weakness. And I don’t know how to combat them. Plus, I don’t want her to see me holding back my own.
Long after her tears dry and her sobs becomes restful breathing, Jenna comes in.
“I’ve got her, Ben.”
I lay Cate down on the bed. She doesn’t stir which makes me wonder how much sleep she’s been getting. If she’s anything like me, dreams make it hard to rest these days. I’m again assaulted by the realization that I haven’t been around much lately. And that has to change. Cate’s moving and I won’t be able to see her on a whim like I’m so used to.
Jenna adds. “Go find your girl. I like her.”
“I do too.”