“Stop it, Drew. I don’t want to hear that.”
He nods and presses his lips together. I guess he knows I’ve had enough of this talk. We sit for the rest of the night, me on his lap, watching the night sky over the sea. I know this talk is prophetic, or at least it’s Drew’s way of trying to prepare me if the worst happens. Only I don’t let myself get prepared. But I’m not sure anyone really can.
THE FORCED SMILE ON MY face is plastered there. I remember the times going out with friends who really didn’t want to be with me, but would rather be hanging out with their hot boyfriends. Now I have a hot boyfriend that I’d rather be home with. But it’s okay to hang out with friends, I tell myself. I can practically hear Jenna saying that I don’t have to spend every waking moment with Drew.
“Cate, what’s wrong? You’ve gone pale.”
I blink. “Sorry, nothing.”
I recall I have asked Andy nothing about his health. In fact, I should schedule my annual physical. Survival rate of anything improves the sooner it’s found. Then I chide myself. Andy knows better than the rest of us to take care of himself. I won’t ask him. He’ll think I’m babying him.
“Cate.”
I glance up.
“You’re not even in the room. I’m telling you about Daniel.”
Her lips pokes out and I feel bad. “Sorry, Mandy. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Yeah, that hot doctor. You’ve never really told me about how you know him, where you met. What’s the story?”
The story…
“It’s complicated.”
There is no way I can explain the convoluted nature of our relationship. Mandy, however, folds her arms over her chest and I sigh.
“He’s from Charleston, like me,” I toss out, like that explains everything.
She nods and I’m glad she’s accepted the simple truth of Andy and my origins.
“Obviously things are going well. You’d rather be out with him than me.”
I open my mouth to protest and a male voice speaks instead.
“Excuse me.”
We look up from the leatherette sofa we’ve commandeered to turn to face a man in a suit with dark hair and eyes staring hard at Mandy while leaning on the back of one of the chairs in front of us.
“Can I buy you ladies a drink?”
I’m about to say no, but Mandy beats me to it.
“Yes, yes you can.”
The wattage on her smile has turned to super nova levels. He’s quite handsome and the way the suit fits him like a glove spells expensive and not off the rack.
“We’re actually having wine,” Mandy explains.
The man raises a finger to a waitress walking by. “Can you bring the ladies a bottle of Domaine Vacheron 2012 Les Romains Sauvignon Blanc?”
Mandy lifts her eyebrow because the wine he’s ordered isn’t cheap, not to mention he rattles if off in perfect French. Then again, the bar and lounge Mandy has chosen is frequented by nearby professionals and up and coming lawyers. He takes a seat in the chair that he’d been leaning on. It’s one of two high back chairs on the opposite side of a small table that separates us.
Unfortunately for me, he glances to the bar and waves over a friend who makes his way over and takes the chair across from me.
“I’m Jared and this is my friend Scott.”
Mandy is too pleased and is quick to reciprocate with our names. “I’m Mandy and this is Cate.”
We exchange nods and Mandy and Jared start to make conversation. It leaves me and Scott to entertain ourselves. Scott is kind of cute. He’s a ginger with a warm smile. Someone I might have dated if I wasn’t already involved. The key words being, I’m involved, and I don’t want to have to explain that to him. It always makes the situation weird because most guys think women use that as an excuse when we aren’t interested.
“So what do you do?” Scott asks a little awkwardly.
I’m flattered he’s a little nervous. It only makes him that much cuter, but he’s not Andy.
“Cate, Mandy.”
We both glance up to find Daniel. Mandy’s eyes widen before they narrow. I feel a little giddy because this is the distraction I need.
“Sit and join us.” Then I glance at the two guys ready to make introductions. “This is Daniel and…”
“Tammy,” the redhead receptionist supplies.
“And this is Jared and Scott,” I announce.
There is only a place on the sofa next to me and another chair left in the little grouping. Daniel sits on the sofa and Tammy takes the chair next to Scott. The waitress with superb timing shows up with our wine, so Jared offers them a glass.
“Guinness, please,” Daniel orders instead.
Tammy accepts the wine. The waitress is forced to go and get another glass. Jared and Scott order a couple of fingers of Scotch and we all sit there until Mandy blurts out, “Daniel, weren’t you working late tonight? I thought you had a project to complete.”