Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The ocean breeze drifted through the open-air restaurant overlooking Newport Harbor as sunlight reflected off the water beyond the terrace.
Brunch crowds filled the waterfront patio, their low conversations, clinking glasses, and the occasional laughter drifting through the warm Newport afternoon.
My friend Sienna set her glass of champagne down carefully before studying me across the table. “You’ve been quieter than usual lately.”
The ocean breeze pushed strands of hair across my face as boats drifted through Newport Harbor beyond the terrace.
“I’ve had a lot on my mind since Amelia almost lost her baby.”
“How’s work since you’re not traveling abroad to plan events?”
I sighed. “Slow, which is to be expected.”
This was all starting to get to me. I usually never had time for mid-morning brunches. In fact, right now, I wouldn’t even be in the States. I’d be orchestrating an event for a family overseas in Italy.
“When do you think you’ll feel comfortable leaving her again?”
I sipped my coffee. “I was planning on two weeks from now,” I answered. “But she started spotting again.”
“Oh, no,” Sienna answered. “Poor thing. Is she scared?”
“Not really,” I responded. “Mickie said this was all normal.”
“Then perhaps you shouldn’t worry so much.”
“A little hard,” I said, eyeing her. “Getting that call from Titus while I was across the world was terrifying. I don’t want to be in that position again.”
“Speaking of Mr. Hawk,” she said with a knowing look, “how are things between you and him?”
I set my coffee cup down and leaned back in my chair. “I’m not listening to this shit from you.”
“What?” she smiled. “I haven’t said a word about your two dates.”
“They were just simple outings,” I reminded her. “It was fun, and now he’s overseas for work.”
“And when he gets back?”
“He’ll probably be gone for the entire summer. Those events seem to pile up over there, keeping those elites going nonstop until the season ends.”
“And when he gets back?” she repeated.
“And when he gets back, he’ll most likely have forgotten all about our dates.” I took a bite of my pastry. “Besides, who cares if I wanted to date him?”
“I care,” she simply said.
“Well, I am an adult, and I don’t need anyone warning me off Titus Hawk. I’m not a fool, and I probably know more about that man’s playboy lifestyle than you do.”
“I’m just being a concerned friend.”
“You don’t need to be, Sienna,” I said. “My God, it’s me—of all the people in this world—that you’re treating like a foolish girl.”
“You’re right,” she said in resignation. “Just be careful.”
“I always am,” I smiled. “Now, if we want to talk about wealthy men I should be concerned about, why not bring up Christian Jameston?”
She exhaled. “Fucking creep. Are you going to break the lease and move out?”
“I was planning to do just that until Lowell Jameston approached me in my office and offered his deepest apologies. He assured me that Christian would leave me alone and, if not, that I was to go directly to him so he could handle it personally.”
Her lips twisted, “Interesting.”
“What? I am okay staying so long as the man keeps his word.”
“Not just that,” she responded. “Those men are somewhat of a mystery to me. They’re not very well known out here.”
“Well, my only concern about them is that if they go under, I will have to look for a place to relocate my business,” I chuckled.
A small group of women interrupted our conversation as they stepped onto the terrace, their huge designer purses slung over their shoulders and their Louboutin heels clicking with each step.
“My God, would you look at that. What a view,” one said. “I’m uploading this to my Instagram.”
“The owner is Titus Hawk. He lives somewhere around here,” another said.
Just as Sienna rolled her eyes at the name Titus Hawk, I turned to see what had captured the women’s attention.
“Jesus Christ,” I whispered. “He really did relocate the damn thing here.” I smiled when I saw the massive superyacht two miles off shore, dominating nearly the entire coastline.
It was beautiful, and damn it, I had to admit I missed the man. I wanted to make fun of this whole thing and of him right now, but I couldn’t. Sadly, my sorry ass woke up to another day of not hearing from him.
I tried not to let that get to me. I told myself this was exactly what to expect from a man like him. But somewhere between Malibu, Europe, and those quiet text messages… I started looking forward to hearing from him.
Which was terrifying, considering that scenes like this only reminded me how different our worlds were.
“You haven’t seen this shit on the news?” Sienna asked me.
“No,” I answered. “I’ve only been on the thing when I was salvaging his party in Monaco.”
“Not that,” she said. “The fact it was coming into Newport this morning.”
“I don’t watch the news, and you know that,” I said with a laugh. “God, of course Titus would make the damn news.”
Sienna’s eyes narrowed at me, “Exactly my point about the man.”
“Stop.” My voice came out more serious this time. I didn’t need anyone judging me or acting like I was completely spellbound by him.
Why? Because I was already doing enough of that to myself. I didn’t need anyone else’s doubts creeping in and casting shadows over it, too.
Ding! Ding!
I looked down to see who had texted me, and I couldn't help but smile when I realized I had somehow manifested the man.
“I’m going to use the ladies’ room and then call for the check,” Sienna said. “I have an early meeting this morning, and I can’t be late this time.” She smiled warmly. “I’m glad we did this. We need to have brunches like these more often.”
“I definitely agree,” I smiled. Then my heart picked up when I opened my phone to reveal Titus’s text to me.
Titus: Good morning, preciosa. I’ve missed you.
I returned early, and I’d love to have dinner with you tonight.
I bit back a smile of excitement. Why would I turn him down? Last time we were together, we had a fantastic time, and lately I could use a distraction from everything going on.
Cat: You up for your favorite fish shack tonight?
Three dots popped up immediately as he typed.
Titus: I’ve been craving it, but I do have some different plans if you’re willing?
Cat: Plans?
Titus: Yes.
My lips twisted in thought, but hell, I needed the escape, and Jessica was here again with Amelia. So why the hell not?
Cat: That sounds lovely. Where do I meet you?
Titus: You’re not meeting me anywhere, preciosa. I plan to be the perfect gentleman and pick you up.
Text me your address.
Either Titus Hawk was about to become one of my biggest mistakes, or the best distraction to enter my life in years.
I texted him my address without hesitation.
That evening, I walked out with an overnight bag packed, wearing my rose-colored satin dress. I draped a lightweight black coat over my arm when the girls both shot me a knowing look.
“Don’t lose your minds over this,” I said. “It’s a six-story yacht, and I’m pretty sure it would take me three days to tour all the floors.”
“Don’t lose our minds over what?” Amelia taunted as Jessica laughed. “The fact that you’re living every person’s dream on social media right now?”
“Why am I not surprised to hear it made it to social media?”
“All I have to say is…” Jessica took another bite of pizza, “… if Titus Hawk wasn’t the most sought-after, hot-as-sin billionaire before, he is now.”
I watched the girls giggle and laugh, twisting my lips, wondering whether the sudden fame the man was receiving was even worth the trouble of letting him be a fun distraction for me.
“What’s that look about?” Amelia asked.
I exhaled. “The man is already a big deal in his world. I guess I just didn’t expect him to move into ours in the same way.”
“Oh, stop it, Cat,” Amelia answered. “Go have fun. Who cares if every available woman wants him the way you’re going to have him tonight?”
“Let’s get off this subject. If anything happens, call me,” I said.
“We will,” Amelia answered, “but Mickie said everything looks fine. Just to keep things light and easy right now.”
“And I’m here. We’re both adults, and we’ve got this. Go live your life while we doomscroll reels, wishing we were you,” Jessica said with a laugh.
Then a knock at the door tightened my stomach. I hadn’t been on a real date in more than five years, and I definitely hadn’t developed feelings for a man in that time either.
All of this felt unfamiliar to me, and after Titus texted me to wear an evening dress and pack a bag because we’d be watching the sunrise from his yacht… well, I knew tonight could go in a lot of different directions. I just didn’t know if I was ready for any of them.
I didn’t know if I was ready to trust Titus with this part of me, yet there I was, walking toward the door to go with him anyway.
“My God, Catalina,” Titus said, his eyes dropping to my dress and then meeting mine again. “You look positively stunning.”
I smiled, taking in the charcoal suit, open collar, and dark shirt, which somehow made the man look even more dangerous tonight. “And you look quite dashing this evening, Mr. Hawk.”
“No more formalities, preciosa,” he said, pressing the back of my hand to his lips. “I’ve missed you, and I plan to make up for lost time with you tonight.”
Everything in me tightened under a weight of pressure I’d never felt before. Good lord, this man was going to ruin me before I could help it.
“Amelia,” Titus said, looking toward where the girls sat on the sofa, eating pizza, “you look lovely and very well.”
Amelia smiled. “I’m feeling wonderful. You’ll always be my hero.”
Titus smiled. “That is quite the honor.”
“This is Jessica,” I acknowledged. “Amelia’s best friend.”
“A great pleasure to meet you,” Titus greeted.
“Okay, girls. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I smiled.
“You kids have fun,” Amelia called out as Titus took my leather overnight bag from me, and we stepped outside.