Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Gage
“The smile on your face is brighter than the sun.”
I flash Gus an even wider grin. “Today’s a good day.”
“Every day is a good day,” he comments, lowering onto the bench that faces the East River. “Life is what you make of it.”
I can’t disagree. “You’re a wise man.”
“You’re a happy man.” He points at me. “Tell me why that is.”
“Katie,” I say without hesitation. “She makes me happy.”
“As happy as my Lois made me.” He taps a finger on his chest. “I remember what it felt like to smile about a woman that way.”
I glance out at the river. “We’re in a good place, Katie and I.”
“You can’t ask for more than that.” His voice softens. “Although most of us do. We don’t realize how good we have it until it’s all gone.”
I turn to face him, raking a hand through my hair.
I took off for a run after Katie got dressed and rushed out of my apartment.
Her cheeks were still flushed from her orgasm. Her hair was a mess. She gave me a quick kiss before she was out the door.
Just as I was about to hit the shower, I realized that I smelled like her.
I wanted that to linger, so I put on a pair of black running shorts and hit the pavement.
“Maybe one day you’ll bring her around here?” Gus asks with a perk of his graying brow. “I’d love to meet the girl who stole your heart.”
“Maybe one day,” I offer back.
I’m too selfish to consider that at the moment. I don’t want to share Katie’s attention with anyone.
I just got her back. If I had my way, we’d lock ourselves in my apartment for a month, but that’s not reality.
There are still things I need to say to her. I have truths that I need to reveal.
I’ll fight like hell to make certain that nothing gets in the way of what we’re rebuilding, but life has a way of tossing a curveball into the mix.
“I’m going to sit with my thoughts for a minute.” Gus shoots me a look.
I know a subtle push-off when I hear it. I take the hint respectfully, as I always do. “I’ll leave you to that.”
“I’ll see you and Katie soon, will I?”
“I can’t promise when you’ll meet Katie, but I’ll be around.”
“I suppose that’s something to look forward to.” He winks. “Make today the best you can, Gage. Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.”
An hour later, I’m standing at the front entrance to Katie Rose Bridal with a blueberry muffin in one hand and a cup of Earl Grey tea in the other.
I rap on the door again, willing Katie to hear me before this tea burns a hole right through the goddamn paper cup.
The barista asked if I wanted it iced or hot. I said hot and he fucking delivered.
I see a flash of someone moving in the boutique.
Natalie appears behind the glass with a smile on her lips.
She unlocks the door and swings it open. “Gage? What are you doing here so early?”
It’s almost nine. Katie left my place more than an hour-and-a-half ago.
“I’m here to see Katie.” I push my way past her. “She didn’t have time for breakfast this morning.”
“You know this because…” her voice trails as she locks the door behind me.
I ignore the question she didn’t ask. “Point me in Katie’s direction before this tea burns a hole through my hand.”
She reaches for the cup.
I don’t stop her because my hand comes in handy when I’m behind the bar at Tin Anchor.
She rests the cup on the reception counter, taking time to slide a piece of paper underneath it so it won’t damage the wood. “Kate’s not here.”
“She’s not?”
“No.” She faces me. “Did she tell you that she’d be here?”
I’m not fueling the fire that is this woman’s curiosity. If she wants answers about where Katie and I stand, those need to come from the woman I love.
I won’t fill in the blanks for Natalie.
“Where is she?” I rest the muffin and the napkin it’s wrapped in on the counter next to the tea.
“She came in to take care of a delivery, but she took off right after.” She peels back one layer of the napkin to have a look. “You got this from the bakery around the corner, didn’t you? No one else in the five boroughs can make a muffin this good.”
I’m not in the mood to talk about the superiority of one baked good over another.
“I can call her and tell her that you’re here,” she offers. “Although I should warn you that I tried calling her right before you banged on the door, but she didn’t pick up.”
“I’ll track her down.” I slide my phone from the front pocket of my jeans.
“Are you taking these with you?” Natalie’s hand floats over the tea and treat.
I huff out a laugh. “Consider those yours, Nat.”
“A tea, a blueberry muffin, and a nickname?” She reaches for the tea. “You’re a keeper. I hope Kate has figured that out.”
I hope she has too.