I’m not sure why there is a question in her voice. I glance over my shoulder and see that Becca and Fredrick have been roped into another conversation. So I don’t feel so bad that we’ve rudely turned away from them.
“Désirée, I’m surprised to see you here. This is a staff event,” Andy says questioningly.
“I’m on the board now.” Her tone is brusque and she’s busy checking out all the places we touch as Andy has me tucked against his side. “I hear that you might be moving to another hospital.”
She glances between us.
“I’m moving to DC to be closer to Cate,” Andy says matter-of-factly.
For a second, her eyes narrow before they open with wide-eyed, fake glee. “Congratulations. I hope to get a wedding invitation soon.”
She’s probing and I’m prepared with an answer, but Andy beats me to it.
“We’ll be sure to mail you one.”
It’s hard to hold back a snicker as her smile flattens out. I know she expected that he’s say something to contradict her. Instead, he’s given her exactly what she doesn’t want to hear.
“Great, I look forward to it.” She spins on her heels and stalks away.
I let the laugh come out that I’ve been holding back.
“That was brilliant. Too bad we have no invitation to send.”
Andy’s magnetic blue eyes gaze into mine. “You never know.”
My hand stills midair with the wine glass I’ve been holding. I’m not sure what to say to that.
“Drew,” another person calls and we are pulled into another introduction and conversation.
Later, I’m finally able to step away as a long winded doctor draws Drew into a conversation with so many nonsensical five syllable words, my head starts to spin. I’ve just picked up one of the yummy calamari appetizers when a woman steps into my personal space.
Her blonde hair is carefully styled in an updo, but I recognize her as the one who couldn’t keep her lips to herself and off of Drew.
“You may have won this round, but if you manage to marry him, you’ll still lose. Half of the doctors here cheat on their spouses with nurses and other staff. I mean, they spend more time with us than they do at home with their spouses.”
Everything about her looks angry.
I can’t stop the quick retort that barrels out of my mouth. “You realize that if you didn’t walk around with a sneer on your face, any one of the single guys here tonight would ask you out. You’re an attractive woman whose beauty is hidden behind hate and envy. A genuine smile and happy thoughts would go a long way toward getting a man that wants you. And a bit of advice—no man wants to be chased. Men like to do the chasing.”
I think of HockeyHo as I shake my head feeling so sorry for the woman before me. I pivot and plow right into Andy. He must have come up while I was talking.
“Cate.” My name is but a whisper from his sly and half parted smile. He leans down and kisses me right in front of the woman and anyone else nearby to see.
I still don’t know her name, but I don’t care either—especially while Andy is touching me. He puts an arm around me and I turn back to face her. Only she’s stalking off before we can share any other words.
“I sure am one lucky woman.” I glance up at the man I call mine.
Andy appears mystified. “Why is that?”
“My boyfriend is like a super star.”
He gives me a cheeky grin. “I’m lucky too. Do you know how many guys have come up to me tonight and begged me to tell them you were just my sister so they could ask you out?”
I shake my head. “No way.”
“Yes, way, my beautiful Cate.”
He makes me feel beautiful, but I don’t say it. Instead, I teasingly say, “So it’s my beauty you want.”
“Pot and kettle and all that. You called me a mega model.” He winks at me.
“Did not.” I playfully slap at his arm. “Super star, Doctor extraordinaire, the man who could have any one he wants.”
“And he wants only one woman. The one before me. So why don’t you let me take you home so I can get even luckier?”
He kisses me again before we leave the party and when we get back to his place, he makes good on his promise.
Days later when I arrive at my parents’ house in Charleston for the holidays, I sit in the kitchen with my mother.
“You can’t stay more than a couple of days?” Mom pouts.
“I promised Jenna I would help get her place ready for the party. It’s just easier if I stay with her.”
I don’t want to feel like a kid sleeping at my parents’ house. They will want to know my every move, especially with my younger sister and brother at home. I plan to spend every night with Andy when he arrives. Which is why I’m staying with Jenna and not them because they would never allow it.
“You’re coming Christmas morning to open presents.”
I sigh. “Mom, I’m not five.”
“I know. But you’ll always be my baby.”
She kisses the top of my head and I feel bad.
“I’ll be by Christmas day at some point.” I take in a deep breath and just say the words I’ve been thinking about all day. “And I’ll be bringing Drew with me.”