Page 53 of The Catch

“Please, Catia,” Dani said. “‘You guys win’ was written all over your face when he showed up.”

“She was practically swooning when Josh kissed her hello before she jumped in the limo,” Sonya added.

“I didn’t swoon.”She was totally swooning.

The photographer shouted across the grass to them. “Can you three pretend to be whispering a secret? Maybe something about the bride and groom.”

Sonya rolled her eyes but did as he asked and leaned into the circle. “Cat, I’m gonna do you a favor and let you off the hook with this bet.”

“What?” Dani exclaimed. The photographer huffed as she pulled out of the shot. She leaned back in and plastered on a grin. “You’re just going to let her out of it, right when we’re about to win?”

“Who said you’ve won?” Cat whispered through her own forced smile.

“How long is this supposed to last, Cat? Untilyourwedding night?”

Cat huffed out a laugh. “That’s dramatic.”

“We barely saw you all summer,” Sonya said. “You were either on the island or you two were holed up in your condo. Call it what you want, Cat, but you two are together and—” She covered her mouth in a fake gasp. “—dare I say… you look happy?”

It was true. She was stupid happy, which was just the kind of happy that got your heart broken. On the one hand, she was glad to relinquish the bet. She wanted to admit she’d been wrong about Josh. So far, his biggest flaws were his shitty coffee maker and the fact that he celebrated baseball season like it was second Christmas. But on the other hand, maybe the writing on the wall just hadn’t appeared yet.

Even as the thought occurred to her, it felt old and heavy. She was tired of pinning her fear like an addendum to the end of every happy moment. It was like something about Josh had changed her DNA—for the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel like stomping on the little embers of hope she felt. She wanted to see what would happen if she breathed just a little of herself onto them and let them flare. She wanted to give in to what felt good and trust that it wouldn’t hurt later. Thathewouldn’t hurt.

“Okay.” She sighed. “Yes, I’m happy.”

Dani did a little victory dance, to the photographer’s delight, but Sonya shook her head. “You’re the only person I know who could sound disappointed that you found a good guy.”

“I’m not disappointed,” she said, standing taller. She pushed her chin out and confessed. “Things are great. He passed all of my tests, and I really, really like him. Okay?”

“You really, really like him?” Dani’s mouth twisted from holding back a triumphant grin.

“Yes.” Cat gave a firm nod. She more than liked him, but she wasn’t going to explore that any further, other than to admit that she’d lost that bet when she started keeping a toothbrush at his place. “The bet’s over,” she said. “You win.”

Dinner was nothing short of fabulous. Knowing the amount of planning that went into this event, Cat had been looking forward to it all day. She’d shoveled cake into her mouth, despite the zipper on her dress begging her to stop, and she’d convinced Josh to work off some of the calories out on the dance floor.

When the music slowed, he took her hand, letting his other fall to the small of her back.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. “I missed you this week.”

“I missed you too.”

“How was your trip?”

“Too long, considering I should have been with you last night.”

“You really should have,” she flirted. “You would have liked my dress for the rehearsal.”

“Don’t tease me, Catia. I’ll take you right back to that bathroom stall.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

Josh lifted her off the floor, and she squealed, attracting the attention of Emma’s mother, who looked at her curiously. “You look beautiful,” he said into her ear as he set her back on her toes. “I’ve been watching you all day waiting for this part.”

“Looks like you were well taken care of.” The knot of his tie was loosened in a comfortable, sexy way, and a lopsided grin hung on his face.

“Let’s go to the bar after this so you can catch up,” he said. “I liked the way that champagne was affecting you earlier.” His hand crept lower, sliding down the smooth satin of her dress to rest scandalously on her ass.

She laughed at him, feeling a bit like they were at a middle school dance, but loving every minute of it. Her heart swelled, remembering the first time they’d danced like this—when they were strangers. Now he’d been hers for months, and the effect hadn’t worn off. She dropped his hand so that she could drape both arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his short hair as they swayed. “You said I was a bad influence.”

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