Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Tucker
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I’ve never been one to run hot and cold with women. Either I want them, or I don’t. And if I do, I don’t hesitate to let them know.
Yet that’s exactly how I treated Kate last night. I didn’t even realize what I was doing as we ate and talked at the Grill, but in hindsight, I can see how she’d think the night had turned into some kind of date .
Hell, I felt it, myself. I got sucked just as deeply into our little bubble of intimacy as she did, and it wasn’t until she invited me back to her place that the bubble burst. I suddenly remembered who I am, who she is, and all the reasons I’m determined to keep things platonic between us. Not the least of which is the fact that my best friend asked me to, and it’s his wedding week.
So, as much as my body screamed at me to say yes, I ignored my baser instincts and declined as gently as I knew how to.
And now? Now I don’t know if Kate will ever speak to me again, much less retain the fun, easy comradery we’ve built over the last few days. If she puts up a wall, I don’t know what I’ll do. Kate has been a bright, shining light this week, and I don’t want to lose that. And I don’t want to mess up the festivities for her, either. Her best friend is getting married, and she’s the maid of honor. They’ll share the memories of this week, forever, and I don’t want that to be tainted.
As I rub some product between my palms, then sift my fingers through my hair, I stare at my reflection with a frown. This whole deal with Kate wouldn’t be so hard if I didn’t like her so much. Simple, physical attraction––even when it’s as strong as what I feel for her––is easy to ignore. Appreciate the view, go home alone, give myself a little tug and rub, and bada-bing, bada-boom, it’s all good.
But with Kate, there’s so much more than just the physical. From the moment I met her, she intrigued me, sitting at the bar by herself and shouting Jeopardy! answers at the television. My interest only grew when she generously offered to share her own food with a stranger when I was too late to order my own. And the conversation? I felt at ease with her instantly, and she seemed to feel the same.
There’s no intrigue nor are there any artifices with Kate. What you see is what you get, and I liked what I saw from moment one. When that asshole came in and insulted her after immediately propositioning her for sex …
I wanted to kill him. Tear him limb from limb. It was instinctual. A feral need to defend her, though she proved she could defend herself. I still chuckle every time I remember her quick comeback, especially that bit about his size.
I won’t entertain anything less than a full five-and-three-quarters inches. Maybe you should just show me.
I chuckle again as I remember the look on that little maggot’s face, then my humor flees as I recall what he said next. He called her a fat bitch , and I lost my shit. Fuck that guy.
I snap out of my thoughts when my phone chimes, and I walk out of the bathroom. Picking up the device from the bed, I glance at the screen, and my heart thumps in my chest when I see it’s a message from Kate. Penny gave me her number at the start of the week, just in case, and though I programmed it in, I haven’t used it yet.
Is she texting to tell me she doesn’t want to see me today? That she’s decided to partner up with Sam for the rest of the wedding games?
Taking a deep breath, I tap the screen to open the message.
Kate: Hey, I hope you don’t mind, but I got your number from Logan. I just HAD to tell you…I had the captain slip a twelve-pack of Raspberry Rizzle onto the yacht for Penny and Logan last night. *laughing emoji* *winking emoji*
A laugh barks out of me, then I bite my lip as I type out a response.
Me: Why is that funny? It’s a quality product.
Kate: Shit. Sorry. I didn’t mean any insult. I just thought it was funny because they both hate raspberry-flavored stuff .
I chuckle as I read the text. Sweet Kate, backpedaling because she thinks she’s offended me, somehow.
Me: I’m messing with you.
Kate: Asshole. Don’t make me sick the bush monkeys on you again.
Me: Ha, ha. Very funny. I still owe you for that, and now I owe you for the Rizzle prank. They probably think I left it for them .
Kate: Well, I DID leave your name on the note, after all.
Me: Of course, you did.
Kate: And a firm request that they drink every one of them because it was actually your wedding gift to the both of them.
Another laugh barks out of me with that. She might be joking, but I have a strong feeling she’s not.
Me: So my best friend of ten years thinks I gave him a twelve-pack of drinks he hates––and which I most definitely got for free––as his wedding gift for him and the love of his life?
Kate: You’re not mad, are you? *winking with tongue out emoji*
Me: I don’t get mad. I get even .
Kate: Bring it.
Me: These aren’t spirit fingers, THESE are spirit fingers.
Kate: First Mean Girls, now Bring It On? I’m shocked your movie tastes are so eclectic, Mr. Gibbs.
Me: I like variety.
Kate: In all things?
I pause and read the message again. What, exactly, is she asking me, and why does this text hit differently? It feels serious, like she’s trying to suss out the truth of whether or not I’m the playboy the media makes me out to be.
Or, I could be reading too much into it.
Either way, I’m not taking any chances.
Me: In movies, music, food, and fine wine. Otherwise, I’m a creature of habit. I find what I’m comfortable and happy with, then I stick with it. Loyal to the end.
I tap the icon to send the message, then hold my breath. When her response comes through, one corner of my mouth ticks upward.
Kate: Good to know.
Leaving my room, I head downstairs to be greeted by Miss Ginny, who offers me breakfast. Nodding, I sit down at the table and text Kate back.
Me: Miss Ginny just called me “big boy” and offered me some of her “flapjacks.” I don’t want to believe there’s an innuendo in there, somewhere, but…
Kate: Oh, there definitely is. Watch yourself with that one. Give her the slightest encouragement, and she’ll have you flat on your back and begging for mercy before you can blink…
I laugh again, but the humor dies as I imagine Kate having me flat on my back…
Kate: See you in a bit?
I clear my throat and my mind before responding.
Me: I’ll be over a soon as I finish with Miss G’s flapjacks.
Kate: Just make sure you stretch, first!
I chuckle and tuck my phone into my pocket as Miss Ginny returns with a plate full of pancakes. She watches with a wide smile as I pour syrup over the top and wolf the stack down, complimenting her between bites like these are the best damn pancakes I’ve ever had. Hell, I’m not even lying. They’re really good.
Once I finish, I stand and move toward Miss Ginny. I thank her for the food, then lean in and give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Oh, you flirty devil,” she says with a bright blush before swatting me away. “Go on. Get out of here with that nonsense.”
I laugh, shoot her a wink, and spin on a heel, whistling as I go. Things are good.
I had a delicious breakfast, Kate’s not mad at me for the awkwardness between us last night, and I get to spend the day with her again today. Who could ask for anything more?
I take Miss Ginny’s golf cart and head to the midtown square, where the wedding party is meeting today. I see Kate immediately. She’s alone in the gazebo, seated on a bench with the breeze making her dark hair flutter around her. God, she’s beautiful. She always is, but something about her contemplative expression makes me itch to pull her into my arms and encourage her to spill her deepest thoughts.
While I’m staring, Logan and Penny’s cart slides to a stop beside me. Logan calls out a greeting and offers me a wave, but as Penny climbs out of the cart, she eyes me suspiciously. She turns her gaze to Kate, then looks back at me with a deep frown.
“You ready, babe?” Logan asks, and her expression morphs into happy excitement as she meets him in front of the cart and takes his hand.
“Hey,” Kate says, pushing to her feet as the three of us approach .
She meets my gaze and offers me a small smile, but there’s a tension around her eyes that hits me in the gut. It clears as she refocuses on Penny, who’s started to speak.
“Sam had a work emergency and had to go to the mainland this morning, and Blaine texted to tell me she has a migraine and will be sitting today out. So it’s just the four of us.”
“I vote we cancel today’s competition and just chill,” Logan adds.
I nod in agreement as Kate says, “We could spend the day at my house out by the pool. We could barbecue some burgers or something.”
“Sounds good to me,” Logan says before meeting Penny’s eyes while she nods. Then he looks at me. “J.T.?”
“Sounds perfect,” I say, my gaze darting to Kate and back. “I’ll swing by the B&B and grab my trunks, then meet you guys there.”
“And I’ll bring that twelve-pack of Rizzle you so graciously gifted us last night,” Logan replies with a grin before narrowing his gaze at Kate.
“What? Why are you looking at me?” she asks, unable to temper her expression. Then she jerks a thumb in my direction. “It’s his family’s company.”
I let out a playful growl and lunge for her, but she skips out of reach with a laugh before I make contact. I step back and cross my arms over my chest, shooting fake daggers at Kate with my eyes. She just beams back at me, the tension I saw earlier having melted away, completely.
The sight of her like this makes my body ache in all the best ways.
“Seriously,” Penny says. “That little surprise had ‘Kate’ written all over it. You didn’t fool us with the note.”
“I don’t know what note you’re talking about,” Kate says, sticking to her story though it’s obvious no one here believes her. Then she jogs down the steps as she calls over her shoulder, “I’ll stop by the market to grab burgers, buns, and some chips. You guys bring the drinks. See you in a bit!”
I watch as she slides into her golf cart and drives away without looking back. After several beats, the silence around us becomes physically noticeable, and I look back at Logan and Penny.
They’re both frowning in my direction.
I hold up my palms in surrender as I walk backwards. Then, giving them a wave and telling them I’ll see them at Kate’s, I turn and hop down the steps before striding toward the golf cart I’m using.
Message received.
And I refuse to think too long and hard about how their united front in protecting Kate from me makes me feel. I mean, am I really that bad for her?
Shit .