Chapter 103
KATE
"Is everything okay?" Michael asks.
"Of course. It's just my boss. He's demanding." And I wish I could be with him right now instead of being here.
"I know you're not a big fan of these places. If you prefer, we can leave and do something else, I don't know... Maybe take a dip in a pool." He smiles. I almost choke. Did he just say that? "It was just a joke, Kate," he laughs.
"What a joke." I take a long sip of the whiskey the bartender places on the counter.
"I found Lisa." He points towards a corner where Lisa is talking to Matt and a girl.
"She always does that."
"Leave you behind? Maybe that's why she invited me."
"To try and get me into trouble."
"I'm starting to think that I really am the trouble you always talk about."
"No!" Yes.
"I guess I still don't understand."
"You're just an old friend."
"As long as you want." God!
"I thought it was a joke?"
"It was." That smile. Everything about him was so familiar that it was hard to be around him. His smell, the hair so black, the honey-colored eyes, almost yellow from so clear. The combination stirred my psychological system dangerously back then, and perhaps it was still dangerous even now.
"So, you have to stop with the flirting."
"Do you think I'm flirting with you?"
"Aren't you? Well, maybe it's the whiskey, I should stop."
"No. I've always liked you a little drunk, you were less serious and more open."
"I think even in the short time we spent together, you had to carry me and take care of me," I say, recalling some moments.
"You have no idea how difficult it was. There was one night, in particular."
"One night? Which one?"
"I don't think you remember. One night at Sarah's house, I took you back home."
"I don't remember. Damn, what did I do?" I laugh at the memory. "Did I vomit on you?"
"You didn't want me to leave, so you kind of lifted your shirt." What? I blush. Damn. I don't remember that.
"Okay. If I could, I'd bury my face in a hole right now."
"I ran out the door. I don't know how I managed... it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do."
"Okay! Enough! Thank you, I guess, and I'm sorry too for harassing you." I laugh.
"So, you owe me many apologies. You always used to..."
My phone vibrates again.
"One second."
I open the message with a swipe of the screen.
From Nathan: WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?
Right. Capital letters screaming. That meant he was pissed. But he was far away, which meant zero danger to my life.
From Kate: Shouldn't you be enjoying your guys' night? Stop bothering me.
I send it with a smile on my face.
"Sorry. More work." I turn my attention back to Michael.
"Your boss really doesn't seem pleasant at all. Who disturbs someone with work at this hour?"
"You have no idea. He can be much worse than that."
"I've heard about him... Nathan Ryan, right? Young and successful. Built an empire."
"He's a jerk." The words come out automatically. Michael looks surprised. "Sorry, it must be the drink. I didn't mean that."
"I already know that side of you, don't forget. Can I ask you a question?"
"You already did."
"Okay, smartypants. I never understood... why did you change your mind on the night before the trip?"
"Okay, I always thought we would never talk about this."
"After we almost got caught by Mrs. Meyers at the pool, you backed out and didn't let me into your room afterward."
"It's been so long... I don't know, I wanted to, but the idea of sleeping with you right before leaving, I guess reality hit me like a punch."
"Okay. I'm here now, and I'm not leaving." He holds my hand.
"We can be friends." I force a smile. How terrible, Kate!
"I thought we already were."
"We were. I think we've changed a lot. At least I have."
"The difference is, now I don't have to pretend I'm not dying to sleep with you." I blink several times. Did he just say that? Did he? This is awful. I need to leave before I get too sleepy and can't think straight. My vision was slightly blurred.
"I think we should stop drinking," I say, abandoning my glass.
"Why are you running away?" He furrows his brow, smiling.
"Am I? Then stop using your charm." I laugh.
"There's clearly something bothering you. I know it."
"You and your habit of trying to decipher me." I roll my eyes.
"I've always been good at it, haven't I?"
"You were. But it's been a while, you know?"
"You've always been direct. Don't try to fool me. Tell me."
"What?"
"We have palpable chemistry, and you're pretending it's not there for some reason. I just want to know."
"You think we have chemistry?"
"Don't play with fire, Kate. Don't make me show you."
"Don't do that. We can only be friends. That's it."
"Why?"
"It's complicated..."
"I've always waited for your timing, and now that I wouldn't have to wait anymore, you say no, even though you feel something. It's confusing."
"I'm getting to know someone." I finally say. His expression changes, seeming reflective.
"Getting to know?"
"Going out." He sighs.
"And why are you here alone?"
"Shouldn't I be?"
"If you had plans with me and went out with an ex, I wouldn't feel comfortable."
"It's not like you're an ex-boyfriend. And I didn't know you would come."
"Damn, it... Lisa didn't tell you?" He looks surprised and disappointed at the same time.
"No."
"Let me guess... She probably doesn't like your boyfriend."
"He's not exactly a boyfriend."
"Okay. I won't ask anymore. I confess it's disheartening. Friends, it is then. Do you want to leave? I think I'm going to go."
"I'm fine, but thank you. Don't be disheartened, there are plenty of girls here."
"You were my only interest tonight. You know me."
"Don't make me feel bad about it."
NATHAN
"Look at that! At least he hasn't lost his taste for upscale places," Ben shouts to Niels over the deafening music. I wonder how I'll find her here. What the hell is she doing in this place? I try to locate her by scanning the surroundings, but it's impossible.
"What are you looking for?" Stephan yells.
"Nothing." I walk towards the bar. My phone tells me she's still here. I take a few more steps before stopping. I analyze the silhouette sitting at the bar. She's talking to a guy.
"Nat!" Ben shouts from behind me. "Where are you going?" I can't take my eyes off her, she looks so happy.
"What's up?" Stephan approaches, catching up to me and standing beside me. "Niels went to the bathroom. He asked me to order a drink... Are you kidding me?" He stops talking.
"What?" Ben asks, stopping by our side. Stephan points at Kate.
"Did you know she was here? Are you chasing after her, aren't you?"
"That's none of your business." I start walking towards her.
"Damn, it... Wait, Nat." Stephan steps in front of me. "What are you going to do? Not again, man."
"Get out of my way. It's fine."
"So, we're here because you wanted to see her?" Ben tries to understand. "Last time, you punched a guy, didn't you?" Stephan nods.
"I'm not going to do anything. I just want to talk to her."
"Then we'll go with you," Ben says.
"What are you going to say, Nat? She's not your girlfriend anymore, remember? She's your secretary, damn it." My brother was concerned that I might lose control again.
"Great, I'm the boss. So don't get involved." I push him aside and start walking toward the bar.
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