Page 60 of Fractured

“What? What do you mean?”

“I don’t think she was interested in coming tonight. I pushed her to join us. She decided to head home.”

Before I can consider how rude I’m being, I turn and run for the front door. I nearly collide with an older woman trying to hold onto the railing as she carefully takes one step at a time in her formal wear and sensible shoes. After a game of Frogger, trying to pass her and avoid colliding with oncoming guests, I fly through the front doors and jerk my head in both directions. Nothing. Running further out into the parking lot, I almost get run over by a damn car. Stopping, I take in a shaky breath then continue at a slower pace. Walking a few steps further, my damn heart in my throat again, I give up, and head for the valet stand dejected.Well, this night sucked balls.

The thought has barely left my brain when I see Katarina laughing with the valet, her back to me. As usual, this enchanting vixen has me spellbound. My steps hasten automatically as if my feet are on autopilot. As I walk up behind her, I reach for her elbow.

“Kat,” I pant.

“Oh, hi.” She seems distant. There’s a hint of concern on her face, but she certainly doesn’t seem pleased to see me.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah, I’m kinda over the whole evening.”

“Are you waiting for your car?” I press on, still sounding out of breath.

“No. I called an Uber.”

“What? No. Let me drive you home.”

She looks at me pointedly. “Who’ll drive Ava home?”

“Her husband!” I snap. I stand, wordlessly staring at her. How could one night get so fucked up?

Unable to control my irritation at the clusterfuck this night has turned into, I grab her arm. “Let’s make this clear once and for all, Katarina. There’s no one for me but you. Got that? No one.” Realizing I’m probably grabbing her arm a little too tight in my frustration, I drop my hand, trying to rein in my irritation. “She only asked if I’d escort her here, so she didn’t have to enter the gala alone. Her husband was running late from his job. I didn’t think to tell you because it never dawned on me that it’d be an issue.”

I stand in front of her, waiting for her eyes to connect with mine. I need to know she’s absorbed what I’ve said. Looking at me, I can tell she understands.

“Kat? Please. This night has been total shit. Can I at least drive you home?”

“Yes. Okay,” she quickly blurts. I watch as her face shifts from looking more relieved to empathetic. What’s it going to take to convince her? Then I recall all the dickheads in her life. If they’ve treated her half as bad as the two who waltzed in from my past tonight, I get why she’s always suspicious.

Kat cancels her Uber, and we walk silently to my car, which is apparently parked in another zip code. I look down at my feet to avoid wanting to pull her into me. The events of the evening are starting to catch up with me, and I’m in dire need of some comfort. Comfort that can’t be poured out of a bottle. I suddenly notice she’s wearing those shoes. Despite the evening’s madness, my cock twitches at the memory of her lithe legs wrapped in black laces, standing atop those sexy tall heels.

“Is that it?”

“Um, what?” Recognizing I’ve completely zoned out, I turn and notice she’s pointing toward my Audi.

“Oh, yes. Good eye, kitty.” I see a small smile turn the corner of her mouth. I want to get us to somewhere pleasant this evening. Even if it’s just a tender kiss goodbye. I need to know we’re okay. It’s agonizing giving her the space she needs when I want so much to go to her. I open the passenger door for her, and she lays her hand on my arm briefly as she lowers herself into the seat. That electric spark is still there, warming my skin as I walk to the driver’s door.

I start the engine and adjust the temperature a bit before pulling out. Kat remains eerily quiet. I’m not sure what to expect from this girl tonight. She seems so aloof. I had hoped once we cleared the air about Ava, that’d no longer be the case.

“Nick?”

“Yes?”

“Was that?” she hesitates. I’m pretty sure I know where she’s going with this conversation.

“Yes.”

“Are they?”

I remain silent, hoping she’ll drop it.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.” I know I need to talk to her about this at some point, but I don’t have it in me tonight. I’m still agitated from seeing them together, looking like Prince William and Kate fucking Middleton. Taking a breath, I assure her. “Kat, I’ll tell you the whole story one day. I just can’t handle it tonight.”

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