Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
M uch as Kat would’ve liked to go home and sink into a steamy lavender bath after work on Friday, that wasn’t an option. Neither was letting down her best pal. She needed to work fast to have everything ready for Mia’s party.
By purchasing a few items after work each night, and splurging a little, she’d managed to pull together all the essentials for a fun birthday bash.
After a quick change of clothes, she arranged a ring of colorful macarons around a tower of dark chocolate truffles, then set the platter next to a small charcuterie board on the coffee table in her living room.
Unfortunately, their numbers were dwindling. Rachel, a mutual friend, had called to say a sick child was keeping her home. A few others were stopping by but couldn’t stay for dinner. Kat was lighting candles when then the doorbell buzzed.
“We’re here!” Mia sang out when Kat hit the intercom.
Kat pressed the button to allow them access, then ushered in Mia, with longtime friends Jack and Brendan, at the same time, officially kicking off the party.
“Wow. Good timing,” she said as they began removing coats and gloves.
“Oh, we came together,” Mia said.
Kat moved in for a hug. “Happy birthday. Come in, and let’s get this party started. I’ve got beer…wine…Bellinis.” She waved them toward the kitchen and the small bar she’d set up as she gathered the coats then tossed them on her bed.
A moment later, the bell rang again. Natalie, a friend of Mia’s, bustled in.
A few others followed. It didn’t take many people for her tiny apartment to feel full and lively.
Natalie picked up a lemon macaron and tossed her arm around Mia.
“Hey, sweetie, I’m sorry I can’t stay for dinner after all.
I’m double-booked. Forgot about a work shindig.
” She grimaced. “I gotta go—dotted line reporting structure.”
A glimmer of disappointment flashed in Mia’s eyes before she covered with a smile.
“No worries,” Kat told Natalie. “Glad you’re here.” She picked up one of the wrapped packages that had stacked up under the windowsill and handed it to Mia. “How about you open some of these, birthday girl?”
In the spotlight, exactly where she liked to be, Mia took her time opening each package.
Kat already knew what Jack and Brendan had to offer since they’d both consulted her.
Jack had sent no fewer than a dozen photos of possibilities until Kat put him out of his misery and picked a beautiful hand-knitted wool scarf.
Mia reacted with a satisfyingly long “ooooooooh,” and immediately wrapped the scarf around her neck.
Kat had found one of the coolest gifts available in her price range from the museum—a sleek faux leather zippered bag that looked like brushed aluminum with gold accents. After Mia lifted the lid of the box, she stared at Kat with wide eyes. “Wowza, Kat. This is fabulous. Has to be from the MoMA.”
“It is,” Kat assured her, topping off wine glasses.
“I love it.”
Kat gave a little curtsy. “I’m glad.”
At seven-thirty, those not staying for dinner began gathering their things. Kat let Mia see them to the door while she headed for the kitchen. She stopped to remove Natalie’s place setting from the table. At least it would give them a little more elbow room—and she’d have leftovers.
She dressed the slaw and set buns and a steaming plate of pulled pork on the table. Then she added a trio of barbeque sauce, tomatoes, and avocado along with a heaping bowl of chips.
“Okay, everybody. Let’s refill drinks and dig in.”
“This smells amazing,” Brendan told her.
Jack plucked a piece of meat from the tray. “Tastes that way, too.”
Kat had taken maybe three bites when her doorbell buzzed. Surprised, she glanced around the table. A late arrival? She wasn’t expecting anyone else. Her guests returned her quizzical look. Putting down her wine glass, she went to the door and spoke into the intercom.
“Mia’s party place. Who is it?”
“Kat?” Nick’s deep, strong voice came over the speaker. “Hey, sweetheart, it’s Nick.”
Kat’s heart flip-flopped. Nick? What was he doing here? Unannounced— tonight? She glanced at the table to find the three people sitting there focused on her. Of course, they could hear every word.
“Nick!” Flustered, her voice came out breathless. “You’re here? Downstairs?”
“Just happened to be in the neighborhood,” he teased with a laugh. When she didn’t respond he added, “Hey, want to let a guy in? It’s a little chilly out here.”
“Oh, sorry. Of course. Come on up.”
“She turned to her friends with a wide smile. “Friend of mine. Be right back.” She hurried down the hall and met Nick as he came up the last flight of stairs.
He grinned, holding up a paper bag that obviously held a bottle of wine. “Hello, there. How are you, gorgeous?” He dropped a black duffel from his shoulder then spun her around and planted a quick kiss on her lips.
“Nick. Oh, my gosh– I–” Kat stammered nervously, still processing the fact that he was here in the flesh. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“I wanted to surprise you.” His brows pulled together. “What’s up? Am I interrupting something?”
She knew he’d feel awkward—or get the wrong idea—when he saw the “party” looked like two couples having a dinner date. “Not at all. We’re celebrating Mia’s birthday. Have you eaten? Come join us.”
She took his hand and pulled him down the hallway.
He stepped inside and stopped short. “Hey, I don’t want to interrupt. Why don’t I give you a call later, okay?”
He delivered the line casually, but Kat heard the disappointment in his voice. She put out a hand to stop him. “No way. Come on. I want you to meet my friends.”
Kat took the duffel and pushed it behind the sofa then went around the table making introductions. “Nick, this is Mia, Jack and Brendan. Everyone, this is Nick Summers, an amazing woodworking artist from Colorado.”
Mia offered a wide smile. “Great to meet you, Nick.”
“Nick, please, take off your coat,” Kat said. “Let me pull up another chair. Mia can you scootch over closer to Jack?”
Everyone adjusted their chairs as Kat placed another one between herself and Mia for Nick.
Boy, girl. Boy, girl. Kat turned again to gather plates and utensils for Nick.
She could feel the curious stares around her, but she ignored them.
She placed a wine glass in front of Nick and filled it with Chardonnay, then she circled the table, topping off each of the glasses.
“It’s Mia’s birthday,” she broke into the awkward silence. “We’re all that’s left of the party.”
She caught Mia’s curious look.
Was she talking too loudly? Did she sound nervous? Settle down and act natural , she scolded herself. When she took her seat again, Kat picked up her glass and held it in front of her. “Cheers,” she sang out. Each glass was raised, and the dinner began again.
“Jack, could you hand the pork down here, please?” Kat asked. Everyone jumped into motion passing dishes so Nick could fill his plate. Kat smiled all around and watched Nick as the others peppered him with all the usual questions. “How long are you staying? Where do you live? How do you know Kat?”
Of course, they’d want all the intel. At one time, they’d been a tight-knit group, and they looked out for each other. Mia knew of Nick, but the others didn’t unless Mia had mentioned him to Jack. The questions were direct, but it was a friendly inquisition. She hoped Nick would take it that way.
“You’re high school friends then?” Brendan asked, his eyes intent on Nick. “You both grew up in Denver?”
“No, actually, we just met over Christmas,” Kat explained. “Nick was doing some work at my parents’ house.”
Nick cleared his throat. “Kat grew up in Denver, but I’m from Colorado Springs.”
“What brings you to New York tonight, other than our captivating Kat, that is?” Mia asked.
Kat saw the humor in Mia’s eyes and realized Nick had revived the party.
She knew Mia was disappointed in the turnout, but his unexpected arrival changed everything.
Mia loved surprise situations. This made it memorable—worthy of storytelling.
Now it would be forever known as the birthday that Colorado Man crashed.
All eyes turned toward Nick, who looked at Kat and smiled. “I, ah…signed a contract with HomeBuilders TV today.”
Kat grabbed his arm and gave out a delighted whoop.
“Nick,” she exclaimed breathlessly. “That is so great! Congratulations!” Bouncing up, she retrieved the bottle of wine he brought, and discovered it was champagne.
“This definitely calls for another toast. Do you want to open this?” For a split second, their eyes met, and they were the only two in the room.
Grinning, Nick took the bottle and popped the cork while Kat scurried to get champagne flutes. Glasses were filled and lifted again.
“To fame and fortune,” Mia called out.
Kat touched her glass to Nick’s and said softly, “Hear, hear.” She couldn’t wait to find out more details, but she was relieved when Nick steered the conversation away from him and back toward Mia, asking about her work.
“I design jewelry,” Mia told him.
“Amazing jewelry,” Kat added. She stretched out her arm that was cuffed with a simple silver twist threaded with black and amber stones. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
Mia playfully waved a hand in front of her face as if to fan herself, and Kat silently thanked Nick for making her friend the star of the party again.
“That’s very cool,” Nick told Mia. “You work exclusively in sterling?”
“Also some gold. And semi-precious stones.”
“Nice. Where do you sell?”
“Right now, mostly on my website.”
As soon as she noticed the mostly empty plates, Kat began clearing the dishes then started coffee.
Mia joined her in the kitchen. Unfortunately, in the tiny apartment, there was no place for private whisperings.
Kat wouldn’t have minded a few minutes alone with Mia.
She was dying to know what her friend thought of Nick.