Page 141 of Keeping Kasey
“I asked her about the time she was gone—where she went aside from Payson—and she got fidgety.”
“Are you sure that wasn’t just her being mad at you?”
“I’m well acquainted with Kasey’s anger. This was different.”
“She wasn’t exactly on vacation for four months. Could be that she doesn’t want to relive it.”
“Maybe,” I say. “But she made it clear that talking about it is off-limits, so I probably won’t find out either way.”
And I hate how much that bothers me.
“What time are we leaving the base to get ready for the reception tomorrow? I may need to rearrange a few meetings.”
“I already let Isabella know we aren’t coming.”
He straightens in the seat. “When did you talk to Isabella?”
“She called this morning,” I say, studying his tight expression. “Is that a problem?”
James shakes his head. “For me, no. For Romano, maybe.”
“And for me?”
He gives me a knowing look. “He’s going to hear that Kasey is back, and when you don’t show up tomorrow, he’s going to get the wrong idea.”
“I don’t care what idea he gets. I’ve been courting his daughter for months, which is exactly what he wanted.”
“What he wanted was a proposal,” James says, studying me closely before adding, “And last time we talked, you said it would be next weekend.”
“And?”
“Do I have to tiptoe around the obvious, or can we admit that you were in love with Kasey, and now that she’s back, it might complicate your impending engagement?”
My chest tightens, and the familiar heat burns my skin.
“I don’t see why Kasey’s return should change anything.”
“Then why did you cancel?”
I don’t say anything.
James stands. “I’m not going to make you go tomorrow, but I’m also not going to let you lie to yourself about why you’re not going.”
As much as I hate it, it would be ignorant of me to ignore his counsel when I’ve already proven that my head isn’t on straight when it comes to Kasey. He’s trying to ground me in reality.
There will be a time when Kasey is gone—for good—and I’ll still have a duty to this family.
“I’ll call Isabella and let her know we’ll be there. We can leave the base at three tomorrow. That’ll give us plenty of time to get ready.”
“I’llcall Isabella,” he offers, and I nod, not particularly eager to talk to my future wife more than I have to. “What are you going to do about Kasey?”
“Is Damon going to the reception?” I ask.
He shakes his head.
I consider my options and choose the one that will make Kasey hate me the least.
“I’ll make the arrangements,” I tell him.
