“I have to go back to the city.”
Rick hadn’t meant for the words to come out so bluntly but there was no turning back now. Kate lifted her head from the kitchen table; he had caught her while she was enjoying a quick breakfast before catering to everyone else’s whims. “Barry called this morning. It seems there’s some sort of problem with the budget. Nothing too worrisome, but I need to be there to sort it out.”
“Oh, okay.”
Rick winced at the obvious disappointment and hurt that was plainly written in her eyes. What had he done? Kate was the sweetest and most innocent woman he’d ever encountered. It was easy to see that she was inexperienced with men. As far as he knew, she had only dated one man… the one who had caused her so much pain. She was too inexperienced be able to differentiate between a flirtation and love, he realized. He would only end up hurting her. She deserved someone who would be there for her. She deserved a husband and kids and the white picket fence — the whole deal. And he, Mr. No-Commitment himself, had gone and taken advantage of her innocence and allowed them to develop a bond. . He should have known better, he chided himself. But maybe it wasn’t too late to save her from getting hurt.
He pried himself away from her searching eyes and moved to collect his bags from the bottom of the stairs.
“How long are you leaving for?”
Rick shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. As long as it takes, I guess.” He glanced up and made eye contact with her. Her eyes were big and wide and he felt like a complete and total heel. “I’ll try to get back as soon as I can.”
The smile returned to her eyes. “Then I’ll keep your room waiting,” she said.
“Don’t do that.”
She had been reaching for the sugar bowl to sweeten her coffee and looked up in surprise. “Don’t what? Use sugar? My secret’s out — I have a wicked sweet tooth.”
“I meant don’t hold my room,” he said.
Kate’s eyes widened and her mouth gaped open a bit as she stared at him uncomprehendingly for a moment. “Oh,” she said after a moment of silence. Her cheeks were burning and she avoided making eye contact as he tried to explain.
“It’s not that I don’t love it here,” he said. “And you know how much I’ve enjoyed this,” he gestured around him ineffectually, trying with a wave of his hand to sum up the complicated mix of emotions that seemed to fill the air between them. “I just think I should stay with the rest of the cast and crew.”
She was staring into her coffee and biting her lip. “For the sake of morale,” he added. It sounded lame even to him. He could tell she didn’t believe him but he didn’t know what else to say. He had given this a lot of thought last night and this morning and, if she was only beginning to feel a fraction of what he was feeling, it was better for them both if they kept some distance.
It had seemed like a good idea ten minutes ago. But now, seeing the disappointment that was clearly written on her face, he wished he could take it all back and scoop her into his arms and kiss her until the disappointment was replaced with joy. But he had to be strong for both of them, he reminded himself.
He watched helplessly as she collected her dirty dishes as though she couldn’t get out of there fast enough. “I’ll, uh, I’ll have breakfast ready in a minute if you’re hungry,” she said. She had resorted to hiding behind her hostess façade and Rick couldn’t blame her. He wished there was something he could say or do to make the situation a little easier. She was halfway to the door when he stopped her.
“Kate.” She spun around to face him. He was rendered momentarily speechless as their eyes connected. “I’ll call you when I get back.” She nodded and slipped out the door. It was done, he told himself. And it was for the best – for both of them.
****
He was still trying to convince himself of that two days later as he sat at his desk and sorted through a pile of paperwork. The meetings had gone well – better than expected even – and the film was right on track. They would be ready to return to Rockville before the week was over.
He should be happy. He should be ecstatic. He should not be sitting here miserable and exhausted. But he was. He looked like something the cat dragged in, his assistant had cheerfully informed him that morning. He had muttered something back that made it clear that he didn’t feel much better than he looked. She had stocked him up with aspirin and coffee but they were no use. His problem was in Rockville, probably fixing dinner right about now and trying to figure out what she had done wrong. Rick glared at the phone as though it were taunting him. He had been battling this urge to pick it up and call her since he had walked out the door two days ago. When the phone rang, he nearly jumped out of his seat. He had been staring at it so intently, for a moment he felt as though he had willed it to ring.
Shaking his head at his ridiculous behavior he reached for the phone. “Yes? Oh, hi, Barry.”
“You sound terrible,” his friend stated bluntly.
“Thanks a lot. Is that what you called to tell me? I’ve got a ton of work to do before we leave for the shoot.”
“Actually,” Barry said. “That’s what I’ve called to talk to you about. Are you going to be home tonight? There’s something you need to see.”
****
“Why don’t you just call him?” Ellen asked.
Kate dug her hands into the earth with more force than was necessary. Ellen had decided to stick around for a while and she was helping Kate with the garden. She was also acting as Kate’s very own relationship counselor. Kate blew the hair out of her face as she yanked a weed out of the ground.
“It’s obvious that you can’t stop thinking about him,” Ellen continued.
“Of course I can’t stop thinking about him,” Kate replied. “How can I when you insist on bringing him up every five minutes?”
Ellen merely raised her eyebrows as though she had made her point.
Kate sighed and sat back on her heels. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“It’s all right,” Ellen said, handing Kate a spade. “That’s what I’m here for. Besides, I haven’t exactly been a joy to be around these past couple of days either.”
“Speaking of which,” Kate said. “When are you going to tell me what’s going on between you and Tony?”
Now it was Ellen’s turn to attack the offensive weeds. “I already told you — nothing. There is absolutely nothing going on.”
“Right,” Kate scoffed. “Nothing is going on, but suddenly you two can barely stand to be in the same room with each other and why you jump two feet every time the phone rings.”
It was obvious there was something going on between Tony and Ellen but Kate knew that they would talk to her about it in their own good time. She just wished that Ellen would afford her the same courtesy. But ever since Rick had bolted in such a hurry two days earlier, Ellen had pestered her with questions. Earlier that morning she had finally broken down and told her friend what had gone on between them. And as much as it had hurt to say the words out loud, sharing her fears and concerns had helped to clarify what she was feeling.
Hurt. And confused. And more than a little mad.
Although not so much with Rick, like Ellen assumed. She was mad at herself for letting herself get carried away. She had broken her vow to keep her distance and now she was paying the price.
She sank her hands into the earth, glad for the tiring labor. Maybe tonight she would finally be able to sleep. The past two nights she had tossed and turned, memories of Rick tormenting her every time she closed her eyes. The guests had all left and Kate had been sorry to see them go. Without the distraction of guests to care for, she had far too much time on her hands to think about what had gone on between them. She found herself obsessively replaying every conversation, every touch, every kiss. She analyzed her memories for some sign of where she had gone wrong. When had she lost her heart as well as her mind? Had she ever stood a chance of escaping this weekend unscathed? Would she have been better off if she had never given in to temptation in the first place? That was a question she could not answer. Her mind said yes but when she thought about his lips on hers and his hands against her skin, she knew that if she had to do it all over again, she wouldn’t be able to refuse.
That was what annoyed her most of all. She knew that she couldn’t refuse him. Even if it meant being hurt and humiliated all over again. How had she left herself so vulnerable? How had he managed to get past her guard and make himself at home in her heart? How had she not seen it coming?
She stabbed at the earth so hard that Ellen put a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you talk to him?” she asked. Her voice was gentle but persistent
“And say what?”
Ellen shrugged. “I don’t know. You could tell him off for running out of here like the house was on fire. You could curse him out for acting like a cad to his little sister’s best friend. You could call him out on being a slimy player with only one thing on his mind. You could tell him how humiliated you were when you were left alone to face a house full of curious friends and his ex-girlfriend. You could—”
“Okay, okay,” Kate held her hands up in mock surrender. “I get the point.” Ellen’s face was flushed in anger on her friend’s behalf. “Are you sure you don’t want me to have a talk with this guy?” she asked for the umpteenth time.
“I’m positive.” The only thing more humiliating than being jilted by a notorious Lothario was to have her well-intentioned friend stand up for her.
“Then you’ll say something?” she asked.
“I don’t see what good it will do,” she grumbled. “He made his feelings pretty clear when he ran out the door that morning.” Ellen gave her a look and Kate relented with a sigh. “Fine, I’ll talk to him. But not over the phone. I’ve tried to call him but his assistant seems to have it in for me. Either she’s his personal body guard as well as his assistant or he is avoiding my phone calls.”
Ellen raised her eyebrows in a challenge.
Kate sighed. “I’ll go to see him in person when he gets back to town for the filming.”
Ellen nodded in approval. “Good.”
“On one condition,” Kate added. “You have to talk to Tony.”
Ellen scowled and fiddled with the spade in her hands. “Fine.”
They finished gardening in silence, each too caught up in her own thoughts to carry on a conversation.
Kate spent the rest of the day trying to take her mind off Rick and the irritatingly silent phone but it was to no avail. She tried to run errands in town but everywhere she went, townspeople were asking her when Rick was expected back and pestering her with questions about what he was like, what he ate, what Evangeline wore, how she acted, how they acted together. Luckily everyone in Rockville had the good taste to avoid asking the question she knew they were all dying to ask. What had gone on between the superstar stud and their very own girl next door? Kate was glad that she didn’t have to answer that question directly because — well, she didn’t know what to say. She had no answer. In fact, she wished someone would tell her what had happened.
Looking back on those few days together, Kate had the distinct impression that it had happened to somebody else. It had been a dream, or a scene from one of Rick’s movies, but it had most definitely not been her life. For a few days her ordinary, ho hum life had been abuzz with passion and excitement and feelings she had yet to name, even to herself. And then, just like that, it was over. What had happened? She wondered. Had she done something wrong? Had he really grown tired of her that quickly? Or had he realized once and for all that he wasn’t over his ex?
She tried to stop the questions in their tracks. Once she started down the path of questioning herself and what she had thought they’d shared it was nearly impossible to turn back. So she tried to distract herself. For the week that followed Rick’s abrupt departure, Kate threw herself into household projects, particularly those that required manual labor. She added a fresh coat of paint to the fence, she hedged the bushes, she scrubbed floors — all in an attempt to divert her attention. And all the while, Ellen was by her side. Kate had a feeling that she had the same idea — that maybe if she kept herself busy, she could keep her mind off certain persistent memories. Or, at the very least, they could wear themselves out to the point where they could sleep at night rather than toss and turn in bed.
The only bright spot in that long week were the calls she received for reservations. Kate was thrilled by the incredible response. She hadn’t expected such an influx right off the bat. She had expected to pay her dues and build up a clientele. But just days after her official opening weekend, her phone was practically ringing off the hook with inquiries.
“That’s what you get when the world’s biggest celebrities show up for your opening weekend,” Ellen had said with a laugh.
The two women had been so pleased by the unexpected success that Kate decided to treat her friend to a nice dinner in Rockville as a thank you for all her help.
“Should I invite Tony?” Kate asked.
Ellen glared at her and Kate raised her eyebrows. “Okay, okay. I’ll take Tony out another night to thank him. But you did promise you’d talk to him,” she pointed out.
“I tried,” Ellen said.
Kate’s eyes widened in alarm. Her friend looked like she was fighting back tears.
“Oh, Ellen, I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to pry. But if you’d like to talk about it—”
Ellen shook her head and brushed away the tears that were threatening to fall. “Thanks but I’d rather have a nice night out with my friend, talking about anything and everything — as long as it has nothing to do with men.”
Kate grinned. “You’re on.”
****
Kate was lucky to get reservations so late on a Friday afternoon. Rockville was the only town with an upscale restaurant in the area and on the weekends, the place was packed with couples out for a night on the town. But Kate had known the owners since she was a little girl and they managed to squeeze her and Ellen in at the last minute.
“Mmm,” Ellen sighed as they were ushered into their seats. “It’s been ages since I’ve been taken out for a nice meal.”
Kate grinned. “Who needs a man when we can take ourselves out for a nice night on the town?”
Ellen laughed and held up a warning finger. “No talking about guys, remember?” Her face fell suddenly and all color drained from her cheeks.
“Ellen? Are you all right?” Kate asked. She turned in her seat to see what her friend was staring at.
“Oh, no.” Tony was sitting at a booth on the opposite side of the room. He was sitting with a beautiful young woman who had a possessive hand on his arm. They were leaning in toward one other as they talked, their heads nearly touching.
“Are you okay? Do you want to leave?” Kate whispered.
She could see her friend pull herself together. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Kate reached for her purse. “Let’s get out of here,” she said. “We can head back to the house or we could go to Shelley’s–”
Ellen shook her head. Her face was set in stubborn defiance. “Absolutely not,” she said. “We have every right to be here. Besides, we’re here to celebrate. Nobody is going to get in the way of that.”
“You’re right.” Kate held up the glass of wine that a waiter had just poured for her. “What should we toast to?”
Ellen raised her glass as well. “To the B&B and its incredible success!”
“I’ll drink to that,” a familiar voice said.
Kate whipped around in her chair to see Rick standing behind her.
“Oh, h-hi,” she stammered. She felt heat stain her cheeks and her stomach refused to sit still. She wished she had a moment to compose herself but Rick was standing there, glowering down at her. “I, uh, I hadn’t realized you’d returned.”
His face was set in a cold, hard mask as he stared down at her as though waiting for her to say something. “When did you get back?” she asked.
His eyes narrowed into slits as he searched her face. Kate resisted the urge to look away from the intense stare.
“Come on, Rick,” a throaty voice called. “I’m starving.”
Kate looked past Rick to see Evangeline standing a little ways off. When their eyes met, Evangeline flashed a smirk that made Kate’s stomach clench in anger and jealousy. Clearly Evangeline had gotten what she’d wanted as she’d said she would all along.
Kate was aware of the prying eyes of the crowded restaurant but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the icy glare that Rick was directing at her. Confusion warred with anxiety. She felt Ellen squeeze her hand under the table and the simple gesture gave her a surge of confidence. She stood up and faced Rick. She kept her voice quiet to avoid being overheard by the curious onlookers. “Can we talk outside for a minute? Alone?”
Those words seemed to whisk away the thin shred of control. “So what, you can apologize?” His voice was little more than a whisper but it was laced with such venom and anger, it took her breath away.
He made no attempt to conceal his contempt of her. “How dare you?” he challenged. “How dare you sit here as calm as can be after what you’ve done?” Kate was speechless. Her mind was reeling but no words came out of her mouth. Her cheeks burned under the gaping stares of the crowd around them. “Sitting here toasting your success,” he spit out the word as though it were poison. “It’s disgusting.”
Evangeline’s hand on his arm put an end to the bitter tirade, and Kate was left watching the two of them walk away as horror turned her stomach and left her sick and shaky in the aftermath of his rage.
Moments later she was standing outside. Ellen and Tony had shepherded her out, away from the prying eyes and whispers of the crowded restaurant. Tony helped her into the passenger seat as though she were a child and Kate let him. Ellen moved toward the driver’s side. “I’m going to take her home,” she said. “Are you coming?”
Tony shook his head and turned back to the restaurant. “I’m going to give that guy a piece of my mind.”
Ellen ran in front of him, using herself as a shield between him and the restaurant.
“Get out of my way, Ellen.”
“Think for a minute, Tony. What good is confronting him going to do?”
“He can’t just humiliate Kate like that and get away with it.”
“No, he can’t,” Ellen agreed. “And he won’t. But if you go in there and cause another scene — that’s not going to do Kate any favors. The best thing we can do for her right now is to take her home. We can deal with Rick later.”
Tony looked like he was about to argue but then he exhaled sharply. “Fine,” he bit out. “Let’s go. I’ll drive.”
“Tony?” Ellen said. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Tony turned to face her with a questioning look. “What?”
Ellen raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “Aren’t you forgetting about your date?”
Tony’s eyes widened in horror and he hurried back into the restaurant, pointedly ignoring Ellen’s mocking smirk.