Chapter 20
JAX
Kat doesn’t reappear for lunch, and I wonder if she’s decided to order room service.
As promised yesterday, I’ve left her alone, but after a morning of working on the proposal and the rising temperature, I want to change.
Tomorrow, I’ll bring my swim shorts with me and use the gym facilities, but until then.
I enter the villa.
Silence.
Is Kat actually here?
The balcony door is slightly ajar, the air-conditioning off. I’m not sure what makes me decide to look. I could just collect my shorts and leave, but as always, I’m drawn to Kathryn Frazer.
I open the door. Kat’s in the infinity pool, with her back to me, and her arms resting on the side.
I step out onto the terrace, closing the door behind me. A bottle of iced tea sits untouched by the side of the sun lounger, along with a paperback and her phone.
I look across, still no movement. The hairs on my arms rise. Something is off.
“Hey, Kat,” I say cheerfully.
Nothing.
Does she have her headphones in?
I walk to the side of the pool. Her hair is piled up on top of her head, no headphones visible.
I try again. “Hey, Kat.”
Still nothing.
It’s then I see it, her lips pressed tightly together, her hand gripping her chain. Her chest rises and falls, as if she’s struggling to catch her breath.
“Kat?”
I repeat, this time more gently.
Shit, something is wrong.
She turns to face me with a start, her gaze distant, her skin flushed.
I drop over the edge and into the pool, ignoring the fact that I’m in my clothes.
“Hey, princess,” I say, approaching carefully.
Kat gives herself a shake, as if pulling herself out of the trance she’s in.
“Jax?” she says, taking in my wet t-shirt and shorts. “What are you doing?”
I smile, letting out a little huff of relief.
“Taking a swim in my clothes,” I say, with a shrug.
Her brows draw together as she takes in my floating t-shirt.
Her fingers whiten around her pendant.
“Kat. Are you okay?”
This time, when her eyes lock on mine, there’s a fire burning deep inside.
“I’m fine,” she says, her expression closing down.
I want to roll my eyes.
Sure, you are!
“As long as you’re fine,” I say, unable to hide the sarcasm in my tone.
I move away and climb the steps, the weight of the water in my clothes dragging them down. I strip, leaving them on the decking.
I open the door and head inside to the bathroom.
I step into the shower and rest my hands on the wall, dropping my head, letting the water cascade over my shoulders, back and head.
I close my eyes and count. Breathing in and out, calming the pressure in my chest. Kat is the only woman who leaves my stomach in knots.
The woman is beyond frustrating.
But then, why would Kat confide in me? It’s not like we have that kind of relationship. Once, maybe, but not anymore. That ship has long sailed.
I switch off the shower, I stand up, my heart skipping a beat as I find Kat standing there watching me.
She holds out a towel, and I take it. Our eyes lock.
I rub myself dry, wrapping the towel around my waist.
“I’m sorry,” she says.
I incline my head, my heart rate picking up, but I wait.
Kat looks down at her hand, and it’s then that I notice the paper she’s holding.
A letter?
“You need to read this.”
She extends her arm, but I notice her gaze looks away from the paper.
Confusion ensues.
“What is it?”
She shakes her hand slightly, as if encouraging me to take it.
“It’s a letter. From Zach.”
My stomach sinks. I’m not sure I want to read about their relationship.
She moves to the sink and places it down on the top, as if it has suddenly burned her.
“The choice is yours,” she says, her expression grave. “I’m sorry, Jax, truly. For everything. Not that those words can ever make up for all I’ve said and done over the years.”
My breath catches.
“What’s in the letter, Kat?”
She rests her hand on it, staring down, before her eyes meet mine, her demeanour sad.
“The truth.” Kat opens her mouth and closes it again, swallowing. “It contains the truth, sixteen years of lies.”
She turns and leaves the bathroom, heading back onto the terrace, leaving me staring after her.
My gaze drops to the paper, resting on the marble top.