19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
Kat
Istood in the parking lot, wishing I hadn’t let the car service leave already. Because I thought maybe I should’ve gotten back in the car. This was a stupid, stupid idea.
It was a stupid idea to go and get my hair washed, blown out, curled in a way I wasn’t capable of doing currently. It was stupid to have them do some light, natural makeup for me since my recent attempts had been pitiful. It was especially stupid to pull out this sundress.
I had thought maybe this knee length, green floral printed sundress with buttons down the front and a ruched top with thick tied straps was a good idea. But it was DEFINITELY a stupid idea to put on these strappy espadrille heels.
Between my hip and my sling, I was sure I looked like an idiot.
But I took a deep breath, thinking of the kids.
I did really want to see them. I knew I must’ve scared them the other day, running out of the room like that.
No one had said anything to me, but I felt bad.
I could at least go in and say bye to them.
Meet Jacob really quickly. Then head out. That I could do.
I hiked the long strap of my purse up my shoulder, wincing at the use of my right hand.
Even with hardly anything in the purse. I took a deep breath and headed for the door.
A nice older gentleman held the door open for me.
I wasn’t surprised, I looked wholly incapable of doing it myself.
And I would have struggled, for certain.
I thanked him, but paused in the vestibule as he continued on into the restaurant.
I spotted Henry through an open door at the back of the restaurant.
They must’ve gotten a private room. That made sense, considering Henry’s celebrity status.
It was still weird to me. To me, he was just Henry.
But he handled it well. I was actually watching him sign a little boy’s hat at this exact moment.
I smiled and took a step forward. But then I froze.
He wasn’t alone. And it wasn’t Becca and the kids back there.
Wasn’t Andrew, or Basti. It was an older looking couple.
And then a guy who looked about Becca’s age.
With a woman around the same age. And then…
there were four little kids running around them all.
I took a step back. Then another one. In what world would…
Why did NO ONE tell me this wasn’t just Becca, Jacob and the kids? And Henry, of course. I was NOT fucking going in there. Abso-fucking-lutely not. This was BULLSHIT. I backed up and turned around just as the door opened. Perfect. I could make a quick exit.
Except that I ran into someone.
Then had several small hands wrapping around each of my legs.
And a happy squeal coming from the baby in the woman’s arms who I’d almost run into.
Fuck.
“Kat! Or should I say, Mika!” Becca laughed, teasing her boys who were both chanting ‘Mika’ at me. I thought it was unbelievably cute that they couldn’t say ‘Miss Kat’ and somehow it had become ‘Mika’. But cute was about to kill me right then.
“Where do you think you’re going, missy?” she asked lightly. Was she insane? She must’ve been. Absolutely batshit. As was apparently her brother. Because I couldn’t find a single other reason why they would’ve done this to me. None.
“I’m leaving, Becca,” I said quietly. She had to know that. I wasn’t sure why a little crease had appeared between her eyebrows that any other day would’ve made me laugh out loud. Because it was the exact same as her little brother’s. But today, I just wanted to scream.
“Nonsense. Andrew will be here soon, you’ll be fine,” she said amicably, looping her arm through mine not trapped by my sling.
Trapping me in a different way, instead.
Not that I could’ve hauled ass out of here with two of her children attached to my legs, but still.
My heart rate sky-rocketed at that comment.
“And that’s supposed to make me feel BETTER?” I asked, my tone nearing hysterical. She gave me a quizzical look, but then detached her children and dragged me into the restaurant. Talking as she walked me to my death.
“This was a surprise for Henry. He had no idea our parents and Mark and his family were coming,” she said conversationally. Well, that explained why Henry hadn’t told me. He would’ve, too. I was sure of that. But Becca?
“Becca, what are you doing?” I whispered viciously under my breath. She laughed. She had the damn audacity to laugh. She tightened her grip on my arm.
“I’m not doing anything, Kat,” she whispered back innocently. Bullshit. FUCKING bullshit. But I didn’t have time to respond. Before I could tuck tail and run, or cuss her out, or jump off a bridge, we were in the doorway.
“Look who I found on our way in!” she said brightly. Henry glanced up and winced, clearly on my behalf. Yeah, thanks bro. He probably hadn’t figured I would be coming. I shouldn’t have.
But it wasn’t Henry, or even his brother and his family that I was all that concerned with. It was his parents. More specifically, the hardened looks of hatred on both of their faces.
And I wasn’t being dramatic.
I was fucked.