Page 73 of Imperfections Seduced
“Like I said, be careful for your own sake. Don’t get your hopes up for something that won’t happen.”
“I won’t. I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can.”
Thirty minutes later, we hug and I walk her out. Before Cat came back, the last thing I thought about at night was my case load. Since she’s been back, the only thing I think about is her and being with her before I close my eyes. Tonight, the only things I can think about are the mistakes I’ve made and how those mistakes could make me a father and tear us apart before we even begin.
It’s useless to regret what you’ve already done; regrets are a weak man’s excuse for not being able to step up and take what they want. I have few regrets in life. The biggest is not going after Cat when I had the chance—and sleeping with her sister. You can’t undo what’s already been done. You have to move forward, step up, and take what you want when the opportunity appoints itself. This is one opportunity I’m not letting pass me by; as slim as it is, I’m going to use it to my advantage.
Cat
Ilike winter; it’s oneof my favorite seasons. Not because my birthday is in December and on Christmas Day. It’s everything about it. I love the lights everyone puts up all over the city; people are in a jolly mood. Christmas trees and decorations all around making everything look like one big shiny Christmas present wrapped up in a bow. Candy canes and Christmas carols all month long. It feels exciting and special, it brings everyone closer together. I love the warm feelings you get when all your friends and family are gathered around together. It’s even better when it snows on Christmas Day; it makes it extra special, like French vanilla ice cream on top of warm apple pie. It just looks so good. Who doesn’t love a white Christmas?
That’s one of my favorite movies—White Christmas. I used to watch that movie every year with Sophie and my mom. That’s one thing me andmy mother have in common, as it’s her favorite movie too. How ironic is it that her favorite part in the movie is when the two sisters sing the song “Sisters” together? She would sing along every time; her favorite part was the end, “and lord help the sister that comes between me and my man!” Boy, if she only knew that could be the theme song to my life right about now.
I walk across the street and into the café where I’m having lunch with Chloe. I see her sitting in one of the booths lined up against the window, talking to a guy leaning over the table. He has a muscular build, like he could be the quarterback on a football team or something like that. She sees me and waves me over to the table.
“Hi, Cat.”
“Hi.”
“Cat, this is Richard. Richard, this is Cat, the friend I told you I was waiting for.”
Richard straightens up, turns to me and takes my hand. I can see why Chloe was smiling from ear to ear. He’s so beautiful he almost takes my breath away; it’s more of a masculine than feminine beauty. Talk about a Colgate smile. I can’t help but smile back at him.
“I didn’t believe her when she said she was waiting for a friend that’s equally as beautiful as her.”
“Thank you.” Cute and charming. I move in to the seat across from Chloe and shrug my coat off. He turns back to Chloe.
“My apologies. You weren’t trying to get rid of me.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“Do you accept my apology?”
“I don’t know. Cat, what do you think, should I accept his apology for doubting me?”
I look at her and at him and shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. Why should my friend, who has never told mea lie since I’ve known her, accept your apology?” Chloe and I look at each other then turn and look at him, our hands folded on the table Doublemint twin style, waiting for his answer.
He looks at us up and down with a warm smile that reaches his eyes. He sits down in the booth next to me. “Excuse me, Cat, can I sit here?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “I know you’re going to say yes already. I can tell you like me, and you think your friend and I look good together. For that reason alone she should accept my apology, because I’m going to be her future husband and the father of her future kids, who will have her caramel brown skin and my green eyes.”
Chloe and I look at each other with big eyes, giving each other the is-this-guy-serious look. He has to do better than this if he’s going to get anywhere with Chloe. One, the guys she dates are usually more rugged. And as rugged as they are, they better have the money to finance her or be on their way to getting that money, if they want to last past one date. As if he can read our minds, he starts giving us a rundown of his résumé.
“I don’t think I’m that much younger than you, I’m perfectly healthy, I’m a soon-to-be graduate with a 4.0 GPA majoring in computer engineering. I was raised by a single mother who taught me and my brother to respect women and treat them right. I’ve never spent a single night in jail or been arrested. My record is spotless. I’m on the rugby team and I’m also an RA at my school. So I’d like to know when I can pick you up for the first date that’s going to lead to our future epic love story that we will one day be telling our kids about.”
Smooth. Smooth. Smooth.
“If you have any doubts about anything that I have said, you can always Google me and I will gladly introduceyou to any and all of my friends and family to verify everything I’ve said. I wouldn’t do that for just anyone, but I’m captivated by your friend’s beauty, Cat. If she forgives me, we can have a beautiful future together.”
I nod my head up and down at Chloe. I’d say yes. He has me hooked.
“Richard, I accept your apology. Give me your number. You can pick me up tomorrow at seven sharp. If you can’t make it, date’s off. I will be Googling you as soon as I leave here. If I see one thing I don’t like you will never hear from me again. Everything you told me better check out.”
He picks up the pen and paper Chloe was using and scribbles his number down for her. He pulls out his phone and she gives him her number and her phone rings. “Don’t answer it; I was making sure you have my number. Lock it in—you’ll be using it often. I’ll pick you up at seven sharp. You won’t be disappointed.”
“I better not be.”
“It was nice to meet you, Cat. I hope to see you again.”
