“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.”

“Why didn’t you hear my speech?” he asks puzzled.

“She was too busy telling me about how much time she spends with you and how you practiced your speech with her.”

“Cate—”

“Andy. I don’t want to fight. I just want to go home.”

The valet appears and after an exchange of a tip, Andy drives me back home without further conversation. As if lady luck loves him, he puts the car in park in a space out front. I go to open the door and he reaches for my arm. “I’m sorry about tonight.”

I give a weak smile because I am too. When he leans in to kiss me, I move out of range. “You have some lipstick here.” I dab my thumb at the corner of my mouth to direct him.

The lipstick is a ruse, but I made my point. While he’s looking in the mirror, I’m out of the car. Again, my anger is illogical, I know this. But the thought of Andy with other women makes me physically ill. And Désirée has thrown that idea in my head, even though I have no right to be upset. I’d been the one to leave. I’m the one that ran.

If not for the text from Jenna reminding me that she would be in town next week, my prospects for the upcoming week might have been bleak. But Jenna is always full of adventure, and her visit this time is no exception.

THE BRIGHT SUN AWAKENS ME. I reach out my hand and all I feel is a cold, empty bed. Then I remember. Drew had to work this morning. Sitting up, I check out the clock and see that it’s nine fifteen. The covers are tangled up around my legs so I kick them off and get up. That’s when I notice it—blood on the sheets. It makes me wonder if Drew saw it when he woke up. And then I remember last night when he told me to go to the bathroom. Gah. Now I’m positive he saw it.

I yank the sheets off the bed, determined to get them washed and back on by the time he comes home. Once they’re in the washer, I hop in the shower. Remnants of blood rinse away. I had no idea there would be that much blood. But then my cheeks warm as I think about all the amazing things his mouth and body did to mine. I’m sure if I looked in a mirror, I’d be wearing a dreamy expression. My fingers explore the region between my legs, testing to see how sore I am, and I’m happy to find it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I quickly finish up and wind my hair in a towel. Since Drew won’t be back until after noon, that will give me time to get some studying in. Dressing in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved top, I let my hair air dry and pad into the kitchen to make some coffee. That’s when I spy the note.

Cate, Catelyn, My Catie …

What should I call you? I’ll decide by the time I get home. I hope your sleep was as great as mine and I only have you to thank for it. I believe it was all due to the greatest night of my life. Make yourself at home and I’ll see you around twelve thirty.

Yours,

Drew

What a sweet note, but if he calls me his Catie, I’ll have to kill him. That’ll remind me of my grandmother and that’s not going to work. Then I read it again and get a stupid grin on my face. He says it was the greatest night of his life. Does he really mean that? Why would he say it if he didn’t? There’s only one person who can help. Once the coffee is brewing, I call her.

“What is it that can’t wait until eleven?” she groans.

“Drink too much last night?”

“Grrrr. What do you think?”

“I need advice.”

“Okay.”

I read her the note and tell her just the tiniest bit about our night.

“Is that what you woke me up for?” she asks.

“Yes! This is important!”

“He meant every word. He’s not fifteen, Cate. If all he was interested in was knocking off a piece, he would’ve found some local chick and taken care of it. He wants you. Quit being so needy.”

“Yes. Right. Got it. Okay, thanks. Go back to bed.”

Click. The line is dead and Jenna is gone. But I’m still unsure of myself. And I guess it boils down to the fact that I don’t see why he wants me. But I pick myself up and go with it. What the hell, right? I may as well enjoy it while it lasts.

Grabbing a cup of coffee, I open his cabinets in search of a bite to eat. They’re fully stocked with everything. I opt for a banana. That should hold me until he gets home. About that time the washer buzzes, so I toss the sheets into the dryer and then pull out my computer to start work on another paper that’s due this week.

Before long, I’m in my stride, and my phone vibrates. It’s a text from Drew.

Drew: Good morning gorgeous! How did you sleep? And would you like to go to lunch?

Me: Slept great and I’d love lunch.

Drew: It’s a plan. I’ll pick you up. 12:30. Glad you slept well. <3

Aw, he sent me a heart. That was sweet. I get back to work, but soon the dryer disturbs me. Groaning, I get up to pull the sheets out so I can make up the bed. As I do, I’m happy to see the blood came out. With the bed all made up, I get back to my paper, and my phone vibrates again. Jeez! I’ll never get anything accomplished.