“I’d like to welcome all of you to the first annual Davenport Cancer Research Fund benefit. As you all are aware, I lost my sister to this deadly disease two years ago. But it was a young resident who was on duty one day over six years ago who spotted something so tiny it might have been overlooked. He gave my sister more time. Even with experimental drugs and radiation treatments, we were not able to save her. But we were able to extend her life, so she and I could travel and see the world together while she was still relatively healthy. That young resident found the incurable early on. Only this disease had already claimed my sister. And time was against us. Still, before she died, she asked me to do this. She wanted me to continue the fight even though she was gone. She wanted me to thank the resident that gave her time to say goodbye to everyone she loved. She gave me this.”
Désirée pulls out a sheet of paper and begins to read a letter that makes even me wipe at my eyes. By the time she invites Andy to come up and say a few words, you can hear the sniffles throughout the room.
I want to hear Andy speak, but Désirée has other plans. She plops herself in his vacated chair. “He’s really great isn’t he?”
“He is.” I face the podium not wanting to miss his speech.
“He’s never mentioned you.”
Glancing back, I shrug, not planning to play this woman’s game. I switch my focus back to Andy, knowing what she is up to. I wish Jenna were here. She would have told her off by now. I’m not so bold, at least during Andy’s speech.
“I mean, just yesterday when I was at the hospital and he practiced his speech with me, he never said a single word about you.”
Points for me, as I maintain a smile. “Funny, he hasn’t mentioned you either.” I almost throw in a bit about us spending the night together even though nothing happened. However, I know she will say something else to one up me. I’m really not sure I want to know if Andy has slept with her or not.
Andy’s speech is short because when she goes quiet, the room erupts with applause. She smiles at me as she stands to give Andy another hug. Only she leans up and presses her mouth to his. His eyes are wide and he glances at me as he steps back trying to be polite. She is back at the podium introducing someone else as Andy sits. He dabs at his mouth with a napkin while I wonder just what was between the two of them.
He moves to take my hand, but I manage to put it in my lap without making a scene. I’m not exactly pissed at him. He didn’t initiate the kiss. However, I feel blindsided and it would be disingenuous on my part to pretend I’m okay with how this night has gone so far. He sighs and we listen to several more speeches before food arrives, which seems backward. The few events I’ve attended, you ate and then the talking occurred.
I pick at the food and I’m grateful when the servers appear to remove the plates. Afterward, when more people come to talk to Andy, I excuse myself to the restroom. When I come back, I head to an atrium to get some air instead of going back into the ballroom. A few people are mingling and I rest my hand on rails when a voice has me turning around.
“Long night.”
I turn to face Ted. “You can say that.”
“Ah,” he says tipping his head back a little. “Désirée has her sights on your young man. I can’t say I’m unhappy with it. I’m glad I’m out of her crosshairs.”
He winks then laughs with a jovial sound. I’m left unsure of exactly what he means.
“She knows what she wants.” That’s the best compliment I can give. I’m not totally sure who she is to him and don’t want to offend one of my company’s best clients.
“That she does.”
We stand there in silence for a bit before he flags down a waiter and grabs two flutes of champagne.
“A toast,” he says. “To Désirée.”
I have no idea where he’s going with this so I reluctantly raise my glass.
“May she never get what she wants, at least when it comes to men.”
I raise my glass a little higher and then I drink deep.
Ted starts to tell me stories about her amorous pursuits. After just one, I know he isn’t one of her fans. I’m practically doubled over with laughter as he tells me about this one guy’s girlfriend tossing red wine all over Désirée and her white dress when she finally had enough of her chasing her man. That’s when Andy finds me.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Ted glances between us. “Well, it was fun talking to you, Cate. I’ll see you Monday.”
I nod, feeling a little tipsy.
“So you know Ted?” he asks awkwardly.
Again, his jaw is tense and his jealousy is cute. But I have my own questions.
“Not as much as you know Désirée.”
He lets out a suffering breath. “Cate.”
“You know, I’m tired. If you’re not ready to go, I think I’ll take a cab home.”
He studies me and I hold his gaze.
“No need for a cab. I brought you and I’ll take you home. Let me just say some goodbyes before we leave.”
He takes my hand and won’t let me go as much as my heart needs him to. Instead, I want to melt, with his fingers interlocked with mine. This man means more to me than I want to admit, which is why I’m so hurt. I know my anger is irrational. Andy is a gentleman. Désirée, on the other hand, is a viper and I shouldn’t let her ruin my night. Only she already has.
After the farewells and so sad you’re leaving earlys, Andy helps me into my coat. While we wait for valet, he says, “Désirée is a friend.”
“Oh, I know,” I say sarcastically.
“Cate—”
“Don’t worry. I know she’s into you and maybe you’re not into her. I get it. But she heard your speech and I didn’t. Hell, I didn’t even know you were giving one.”