Page 40 of The Catch

Sonya groaned. “You’re not helping. Do you want to win this bet?”

“No,” Cat said. “But maybe he’s the type of guy who likes the chase. Every time I challenge him, he doubles down.”

Sonya shook her head and mumbled under her breath, “Maybe he just really likes you.”

“Well, he’s put in this much effort,” Dani said. “It’s hard to see him not seeing it through to the reward.”

Sonya scrunched her nose, and so did Cat. Josh was going to disappoint her somehow, but even she didn’t think he was a conquest type of guy. Still…

“Either way,” she said, “you know how men are. Even if they tell themselves they’re looking for a real thing, as soon as you start giving them girlfriend vibes too early, they freeze.”

Dani agreed with a resounding “Mm-hmm.”

“So, that’s the new plan?” Sonya asked. “Be sweet instead of spicy?”

“I can’t stop spicy, Sonya,” Cat said, “but we’re going to be at a party with all of his friends. I’ll lay it on thick, see how he really feels about this relationship.” And she’d see how she really felt about it because admit it or not, she knew there was no way she was getting out of this unscathed. She’d passed the point where disappointment was on the line. If Josh hurt her now, she was in for devastation.

“You’re a mess,” Sonya said, falling back into the pillow and leaving the packing to Dani.

Dani pulled out a red lace bra from Cat’s top drawer and held it up. “So should we skip over the sexy underwear then, if you’re already an old married couple?”

Cat shook her head, a little flutter going through her belly at the thought of Josh licking his lips when he saw her in that bra and the panties that matched it. “Keep that one out.”

Josh heard Cat’s car pull up and he rushed through the front door, and down the steps to meet her in the driveway. He’d been pacing around his house, making excuses to look out the window every five minutes. Now that she was there, it felt like he hadn’t seen her in months.

He crossed the driveway to meet her, leaning an arm on her open door as she finished gathering her things. She twisted in her seat to grab a large tote bag from the back that he hoped was filled with overnight accessories, but he didn’t want to be presumptuous.

“Hi,” he said, offering her a hand. He helped her out of the car, then tugged her hand until she was pressed against him.

To his surprise, she grabbed his chin and immediately pulled him into a long, eager kiss. Her lips were cold from the air-conditioned car, and so were her fingers as they slipped up the back of his shirt.

This was new. He indulged in her newfound boldness, his hands traveling down to her ass and chancing a squeeze that had her sighing into his mouth. She finally released his mouth but kept her body pressed against his as she brushed her fingers through his hair.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” He grinned, probably goofily so. “Let me take your bag.” He slid the tote from her shoulder, resisting the urge to glance inside for any signs of sleepwear or a toothbrush.

Cat slipped her hand into his and followed him across the stone driveway to his front door. “Your house is beautiful,” she said. Her head swiveled from wall to wall as he led her through the open-beamed living room, past the stone fireplace and leather couch, and into the granite and oak kitchen. Like most houses built in the little town on the bay, it had an inherent nautical flavor infused into the architecture, and he’d indulged it a bit with the decor. Her expression reflected her approval, and a beam of pride straightened his posture.

“Thanks.” He set her bag down by the kitchen island. Taking it directly to his room might be pushing it. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Just water if you don’t mind. What time are we leaving?”

He picked a glass from the cupboard and filled it from the dispenser on the fridge door. “Anytime,” he said. “It’s an all-day thing, and the weather is perfect to be by the pool.”

She took a long sip of the water he gave her, and he used the opportunity to scan the rest of her outfit; sexy little short-shorts, a tank top that crisscrossed in the back. Her hair was up again like it had been the first night they met. It left her neck exposed, and he focused on the dip of it, thinking of pressing his tongue there.

“I shouldn’t have parked behind you,” she said. “Do you want to take my car?”

“Actually, I thought we could walk if that’s okay with you. It’s only a few streets over.”

“Dylan lives a few streets away from you?”

“He used to live here with me, actually. This was my grandfather’s house. The main portion, at least. When he passed, I took over the mortgage. After I finished school and moved back, I needed a roommate to afford it. Dylan lived here until Sarah and I got married.” He hated thinking of this house as his and Sarah’s. He’d lived there most of his life and he would always regret that he’d tainted it by starting a life there that didn’t pan out. “Anyway, I guess he liked the neighborhood and the place he has happened to be for sale. After he left, I added the office over the garage, the master bedroom, and the sunroom.” He turned to point in the direction of each of the additions.

“Wow. Guess it’s true what they say that an architect’s home is never finished.”

He chuckled. “The expression is a builder’s home, but same thing, I guess.” He poured himself a quick glass of water, drinking it down in two gulps. “So, will you mind the walk? Driving is fine too.”

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