Page 146 of Revelation

“If what?”

I pause.

“Ifwhat?”

“If things didn’t work out. Between. Us.”

There’s an excruciating silence.

“Let me see if I understand this,” she says. “Standing here right now you’re not one hundred percent sure you wanna be with metwo monthsfrom now?”

I throw up my hands. “Well, shit. When you say it like that, it sounds horrible. But, yeah, I just wanted to wait until I was sure I wasn’t gonna get your hopes up and then somehow, you know, disappoint you.”

She blinks and huge, fat tears streak out her eyes and down her beautiful cheeks.

“Kat, please,” I say, my voice quavering. My eyes are burning. I close them and compose myself for a beat. “It’s no reflection on how I feel about you. I think you’re amazing. And gorgeous. Funny. Smart. Sweet. I think about you night and day—that’s why I came to Seattle early. I’ve never had so much fun in my life as I have with you.”

Oh shit. Something I just said lit her fuse—and not in a good way.

“Fun?” she spits out, utterly enraged.

I roll my eyes. “Did you hear anything else I said?Funwas the very last thing I said—aftersaying a bunch of other really awesome things. And, by the way, saying you’re fun is a huge compliment.”

“Oh, thanks for the compliment. Makes me feelgreat. You can always count on Kat for a littlefun.” She wipes her eyes, but it’s pointless—tears are streaming out.

I look up to the night sky and roll my entire head in frustration. This is so fucking horrific. I can’t believe she’s overreacting like this. She’s so fucking temperamental, I swear to God. “This is spiraling way out of control,” I say. “How much have you had to drink? Are you drunk?”

“No, I’m not drunk. I’ve hardly had a drop.”

“Well, you’re acting drunk.”

“I’m not drunk. I’m pissed. And hurt. Deeply hurt.”

“Why the fuck are you ‘deeply hurt’? I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I’m moving, but I’m not gonna apologize for saying I’m havingfunwith you—because I am.”

“I was gonna bring you home to meet my family, Josh,” she says, her eyes watering and her voice cracking. “I obviously can’t do that if all we’re doing is havingfun.”

“What the fuck? You’re not gonna let me come meet your family now? You’reuninvitingme from the birthday party?” Now I’m pissed. That goddamned party is the whole reason I flew the fuck up to Seattle in the first place.

She’s in full terrorist mode. “I’ve brought a grand total of three guys home to meet my family, Josh.Three. And the last one didn’t work out so well. Colby sniffed Garrett out like a St. Bernard tracking a lost skier.Colby knew Garrett was with me for nothing butfunwhile I was in it for a whole lot more. I’m not gonna subject myself to that ever again.”

I’m speechless. She’s comparing me to Garrett Bennett? She thinks I’musingher? Could she possibly believe that, after everything we’ve been through together? After everything I’ve said and done to make my feelings clear?

“That was such a low blow,” I say between gritted teeth.

“Why is that a low blow? You can’t imagine dating me eight measly weeks from now,” she seethes. “Fifty-twodays. My family would know you’re not in it for the long-haul—especially Colby—and they’d eat you for breakfast.”

“Shit, Kat. Motherfucker. I fucked up, okay?” My voice cracks. I press my lips together, regaining my composure. I wait. My eyes are stinging. I take a deep breath and push everything down. “I should have told you, okay? I’m sorry. But you’re reading way too much into this. I’m not Garrett-Bennetting you. You can’t seriously believe that.”

She shrugs.

“What did that fucker say to you, again?”

“He said I’mfun.”

“No, the other thing.”

“He basically called me a slut.”

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