Page 17 of The Wedding Driver
Foster remembered the last time he saw Kathy. It had been six months ago when he’d been having lunch with Doug and Jim. He’d been working on a remodel project with them and they’d stopped at Jim’s favorite sandwich shop. Kathy had been there picking up a to-go order.
She spent the last month texting him about how good he looked and how proud she was of him for getting his life back on track. He’d been kind and said thank you, but then came the message suggesting they get together. He’d been firm in his response, and again, she hadn’t taken it well. She’d always felt they had unfinished business.
There was nothing left between them. He’d made that clear on several occasions.
“Tonya, this is Kathy.” He leaned back on his hands, making sure one was behind Tonya’s back, touching her hip, as if he were staking his claim, or perhaps just making sure that Kathy saw the physical contact.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Tonya said. Her voice had a slight twitch to it. That always happened when she was either uncomfortable or felt overwhelmed in any given situation.
“Likewise.” Kathy smiled, but it wasn’t the kind of smile that told someone they were happy to share the same space.
Kathy could cut someone to the bone when she felt backed into a corner or had been hurt. Foster had learned that the hard way. He honestly had thought she’d understand his need to be alone after the fire. That he couldn’t be in a relationship with her after what happened, especially during the sentencing of Victoria.
“I heard that your wedding boat ride business is doing quite well.” Kathy turned her focus to Foster.
“I’m booked all summer, mostly thanks to Tonya,” he said proudly. “She’s an amazing wedding and party planner. The best around town.”
“Oh. You don’t say. Does your business have a name?” Kathy asked.
“Events to Remember by Tonya Johnson,” Tonya interjected.
“A friend of mine used you for a baby shower last summer. You do good work.” Kathy glanced over her shoulder, waving to a bunch of people in a large cruiser. “Well, we better get back to our friends, but Foster, we should really get together sometime and catch up. We have some stuff to chat about.”
“No, we don’t.” That flew out of his mouth quickly and with a touch of animosity laced in every word. He hadn’t even thought about it, which he probably should have, but it was too late now.
Tonya lowered her chin, looking surprised by his abruptness.
“I’ll be in touch.” Kathy turned and swam off.
Thank God for small favors.
He had once cared a great deal for Kathy. However, she had been relentless in pursuing him after Lisa died. She wouldn’t leave him alone or give him any space. She believed that all he needed was her love to get through his pain and grief.
What he’d said to her at the courthouse that day had to be some of the cruelest words he’d ever said to anyone. At the time, he’d meant them, but only because he was in so much pain. A few months later, he went to her and apologized. She took that as he wanted to get back together. The only language she understood was a firm tone.
“Who was that?” Tonya asked.
“Someone from my past.” He let out a long breath. “I don’t want to talk about her.”
“No offense, but you were kind of mean to her.”
Foster climbed into the boat, sitting in the second seat. He ran a hand over his mouth, running his index finger and thumb down his chin. He’d mentally prepared himself for a lot of things today.
A few intense and passionate kisses.
Warm embraces.
Cuddling.
Perhaps some uncomfortable yet necessary conversations.
His mind had played a million possible scenarios of how today could play out, but none included running into Kathy, of all people. He had no idea how to process the encounter or what to do with the emotions seeing her brought up.
Tonya joined him, keeping her gaze hyper-focused on him, and it rattled his nerves.
He didn’t want to get into this now.
“I’m sorry that I was rude,” he said.
