Cruel & Beautiful Page 19

  “Cate,” a woman calls. Before I can stop her, Désirée is air kissing me. “Wow, Ted, you look very dapper this evening.”

  Ted obliges her and gives her the two air kisses I neglected to give the fake woman.

  Her grin turns megawatt and she aims it at me. “Drew and I missed you last night at the White House Press Dinner. Now I see why he didn’t bring you. Oh, and I must get a picture of the two of you.”

  My hand comes up to block the picture but she beats me with her tap on the phone. I’m too late as her thumbs furiously move across the screen. “Young and in love. Short and sweet for InstaGram don’t you think?” She winks before striding off.

  I groan. I have no doubt she’s posted the picture more than just there. I don’t know what I should worry about, the picture or the fact that Andy was out with her last night.

  “Shall we?” Ted holds out his arm, clueless about my inner turmoil.

  I accept his arm, giving into the night. Ted seems like an okay guy. Andy is obviously out of the picture. It’s time I move on, take back my life, and enjoy it a little.

  We end up in box seats alone. The ballet is spectacular. After, we have a late dinner. Ted is cordial and our conversation easy. He doesn’t leer at me or make suggestive comments. I begin to think Jeff’s dislike of the man has nothing to do with Ted at all.

  “Why don’t you get along with Jeff?” I ask.

  He sighs and uses the napkin to blot his mouth. “Truth?” he asks. I nod. “This will sound somewhat arrogant but there is no way around it. Simply, Jeffery was interested in a woman who was more interested in me.” Shocked, I feel my eyes reach my brows. “Don’t look so surprised. Jeffery is a bit on the sweet side but he’s into women.”

  He laughs at my open mouth. We end the night with Ted regaling me with tales of Jeff’s escapades Ted’s caught him in. None involve work and I get that Ted is professional and wouldn’t give me information me about his employees that is work related.

  When the limo stops in front of my building I can honestly say I had a good time. Ted, again the gentleman, walks me to my door with my arm in his.

  “I had a lovely time Cate. I hope you did too.”

  “I did.”

  He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “I would kiss you Cate, but I don’t want to scare you off, as I’m sure Jeff has done his best to do. And maybe some of what he’s told you is true. But I can make this an experience of a lifetime for you, and who knows what the future would bring. I’m headed to France for the holidays after Christmas and through New Year’s. Maybe you would consider joining me.”

  I’m too stunned to say anything. He leans down and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth, just missing my lips. I watch him walk away and get back into the limo. When he drives off, I try to decide if I should be worried about what little Jeff has actually told me. He hasn’t said much but implied many things. I turn to head inside when I hear my name.

  “Cate.”

  I swivel around so fast I sway, catching myself. What I find is Andy closing his car door and walking toward me. I didn’t hear an engine cut off, so I wonder if he’s been waiting for me all this time. He looks distressed, still in his scrubs. His hair is disheveled and his face sports scruff. He stops a few feet away from me as his eyes drift the length of my body and back again.

  “God, you take my breath away.” His words are smooth but the sadness in his eyes takes away from his compliment. “You went out with Ted Caine. I saw the pictures.”

  “Andy.” The word leaves my mouth on the wind, drifting away as if we are two ships passing in the night.

  “Did he kiss you?” The anguish in his voice is palpable.

  I shake my head no, unable to speak for fear my voice would break.

  He comes forward and cups my frosty cheeks with his hands. His warm lips against mine take away the chill in the air. When he pulls back, I find myself reaching for him but he steps out of my reach.

  “I want you to be happy, Cate. I always have. You’re the one woman that’s made me want to change my life to make you the center of my universe.” His eyes are filled with so much emotion I’m captured in them. “Maybe fate is wrong or my interpretation of it. I won’t chase you anymore. I’ll leave you to be the Princess Ted can make you be.” He glances at my dress which can partially be seen through the opening in my wool coat. “Maybe it’s better this way.”

  My heart knocks in my chest. Being this close to him brings back all the feels that had me falling for him in the first place. I don’t understand his words and why he’s so upset with me. He’s the one who moved on. Yet he’s here. I watch, unable to move, unable to breathe, as he briskly walks away. He’s gone so fast he’s almost reached his car as I feel his name on the tip of my tongue.

  IT’S ALREADY NOVEMBER AND Thanksgiving is bearing down upon us. And then finals will be here. It’s hard to believe I’ve been seeing Drew for almost two months. The difficulty in believing it is every time I’m with him, every weekend we spend together—and we’ve haven’t been apart much at all—is better than the last.

  As I’m thinking about him, my phone lights up and it’s him. The simple fact of seeing his name causes my heart to stutter. Right now the sixty miles that separate us seems more like a thousand. Then I’m thankful he’s not any farther than that.

  “Hey,” I answer with a grin.

  “Hey, back atcha. Question. Are you going home for Thanksgiving?” Drew asks.

  “Yeah, are you?”

  “Uh huh. I’m leaving Wednesday but I have to be back Friday night because I work that weekend.”

  “Oh, that’s not good.”

  I can almost see him shrug. “Naw, it doesn’t bother me. It’s the life of a resident. I have to pay my dues. Next year will be better.”

  “You have the best attitude,” I say. “I’m leaving Tuesday and I’ll be back on Sunday.”

  “Cate, I’d like to invite you over to meet my parents on Thanksgiving Day. Can you come? We could work it around your family’s schedule.”

  Holy crap! Meet his parents! This is serious stuff. Am I supposed to reciprocate?

  “Um, yeah, we could do that. I can ask my mom what time we’re doing our dinner and all.”

  “That would be great. You all will love each other. I just know it.” The smile in his voice warms my skin.

  “Drew, if they’re anything like you, how can I not?” And that is the truth. They raised this man to be who he is—kind, honorable, trustworthy, and considerate of others. What’s not to love? “And I’d like you to meet my family, too.” Where the hell did this come from? I haven’t even told my mom I’m dating anyone. Shit!

  “I’d love that. But I’ll meet them when I come to pick you up.”

  “Oh, right. I didn’t think about that. My family is crazy. I’m just warning you.”

  “Crazy as in craaaazy? Or crazy as in haha?”

  “Uh … both. Ask Jenna. She can give you the scoop.”

  “I want you to give me the scoop,” he says.

  I cringe as I say, “Yeah. Okay. Well, my mom can be awesome, but she can be very cantankerous, too. And Dad, he’s sort of a hypochondriac. So, I’ll apologize in advance because when he finds out you’re a doctor, he’s going to hit you up for all kinds of medical advice on his so-called diseases.”

  Drew only laughs at my Dad.

  “Hey, laugh now, but just wait. They’ll drive you fucknuts. I love ’em to death, but at the same time, they make me batshit crazy. You know?”

  “Yeah. Sounds like my Aunt Edna. God, that woman is as sweet as they make ’em but loony as hell.”

  “Maybe we should invite Aunt Edna over. She sounds like she’d fit right in my family.”

  “What about your siblings?”

  “My little sister doesn’t pay them any attention. She’s too selfish and my brother gets doted on because he’s the star athlete.”

  “What sport does he play?”

  “All of them. But not hocke
y. No hockey in Charleston, you know.”

  Drew chuckles. “Yeah, true.”

  “I’m surprised my dad let any of us play sports. He’s such a worrywart about us getting hurt.”

  “Overprotective?”

  “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you. I had to beg for roller blades. He told my mom to only let me skate on the grass! Of all things!”

  “Hmm. I’ve often wondered how I would be as a father.”

  This conversation is turning into something a little deeper than I expected. “Oh yeah?”

  “I think sometimes I’ll be like your dad. When I see kids coming into the clinic all banged up, it makes me curious. What about you?”

  “I haven’t given it much thought, to be honest.”

  “Do you want kids, Cate?”

  “Yeah, I guess so. Someday.”

  “Good. I was hoping you’d say that.”

  Why? Does he want kids right away? What’s his deal here?

  “I want to have kids someday, too, but not for a while.”

  Thank the lord! “Yeah, a long while,” I laugh. “Hence, the birth control.” Hint hint.

  “Sounds like someone is pretty career minded.”

  “Hell yeah. I haven’t worked my ass off in school not to use this double degree. I’m hoping to see it pay off here soon.”

  He sighs heavily into the phone. “Oh, Cate, have some confidence in yourself. Of course it’s going to pay off. Take a look at yourself. You are a brilliant, talented, clever, woman. You have a very bright future ahead of you. You are going to dazzle your prospective employers, mark my words.”

  His words make me glow inside. “Drew, you make me feel so good about myself.”

  “You don’t need me to do that. Seriously, Cate. You’re the total package, if you would only see it for yourself.”

  That night I tell Jenna about our conversation.

  “You’re meeting his parents? At Thanksgiving?” Her sly grin tells me more than her words.

  “What? What does that mean?”

  “Drew McKnight isn’t one to take girls home to meet his parents, that’s what.”

  “And how do you know that?”

  Jenna gives me one of her looks and says, “I’m his best friend’s sister, remember? I know a lot more about Drew than you think I do.”

  “Oh, yeah,” I say in a puny voice. “Shit. This is a major deal, right?”

  “Oh, I’d say it’s a seriously major deal.” She grabs her phone and starts texting a message. A few minutes later she receives a response. Jenna grins as she hands the phone to me. It’s from Ben.

  Ben: WTF! Drew is taking Cate to meet the P’s! How did I not know this????? Major shit going down at the McK’s crib.

  “Oh no! Will I be on display or something?”

  “Or something? Hell yeah. And you know his mom, right? Big Charleston society in all the major circles and all that. I’m talking money, Cate. Did I tell you?”

  I’m going to fucking kill her. “No, you did not tell me. How the hell could you leave something like that out? What the hell is wrong with you?”

  At least she has the courtesy to look chastised, though knowing Jenna, she doesn’t feel the least bit that way at all. Then she lets out a gurgle of laughter. “For all of Letty’s money and the circles she runs in, she adores Drew and is the sweetest woman you’ll ever meet. I promise you’ll love her and she’ll love you because you’re not one of those simpering bitches that always pants after her son.”

  “Letty?”

  “Mary Lettington Standford McKnight.”

  “You’re joking. She’s one of those Standfords?”

  “Yep,” Jenna says, with a satisfied smile. “Hence, Andrew Standford McKnight.”

  “Jeez. Thanks for the warning.”

  “I really do think the two of you will get along perfectly.”

  “Well, did I tell you Drew started talking about having kids?”

  That shut her up for a minute. Then she suddenly looks like the cat that swallowed the canary. “I knew you two were perfect for each other. You need an older guy. That’s why all the guys you were meeting weren’t getting your panties wet, but one date with Drew and BAM. You were so done. I think I hear wedding bells in your future.”

  “Oh, miss fortune teller, let me fill you in on a little secret. I think I hear wedding bells in your future too.”

  “Funny, Cate. But I’m serious. You have to admit it. He is perfect for you. What more could you ask for?”

  I have no answer for her, because she is absolutely right.

  “This is moving too fast, Jenna.”

  “Okay, I can see why you might feel that way. But it’s not fast at all. You’ve been seeing each other for about two months now. And Cate, Drew isn’t some young dude that has no idea what he wants out of life. He’s got his shit together and is going places and so are you. But, don’t worry. You’re not going to do anything until you graduate, so sit back and enjoy the,” she clears her throat in an exaggerated manner, “ride.” Then she slaps her knee and howls with laughter.

  “Don’t quit school. Your comedy routine needs work,” I say drolly.

  Two weeks later, I find myself pacing in the foyer of my parents’ home. Drew should be here to meet my family any minute. My fifteen-year-old sister skips down the stairs and says, “Nervous about the new boyfriend? Catelyn’s boyfriend’s coming to visit.” She sings it loud in an obnoxious voice.

  My mom yells from the kitchen, “Are you sure he doesn’t want any leftovers?”

  “I don’t know Mom. You can ask him yourself.” She’s asked me this a dozen times already. Then my thirteen-year-old brother ambles in, looks at me, shrugs, and walks back out. His earbuds are in so he couldn’t give a crap about me or Drew.

  “Do you think Drew would have time to chat with me about my family history of colon cancer?” my dad wants to know.

  “No, Dad! He’s not here to discuss your health matters and he’s not your doctor.” We’ve been through this at least ten times today. This is going to be torture. Why did I agree to this? I should’ve just met him at his house.

  A motion outside catches my eye and I look in the driveway to see him pull up. Should I open the door or wait for him to knock? I’ll meet him on the porch to warn him.

  I run outside, straight into his arms.

  “Hey,” he catches me before I have a chance to blurt anything out, and presses a light kiss to my lips.

  “Oh, I missed you,” I say instead.

  “I like that greeting.”

  He looks like sunshine on this gloomy day and I’ve never been happier to see anyone before. I want to cling to him and never let him go, but I can’t because I’m sure we have an audience.

  “Listen, my family is insane.”

  He laughs.

  “No, I’m serious. I just came out to give you a quick warning.”

  “I see. Well, let’s go meet the insane Forbes family then.” He winks and we enter the den of craziness.

  My family stands in the foyer like a troop of soldiers, ready for inspection.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Drew McKnight. Drew, my parents, Bob and Lydia Forbes, and my brother and sister, Shannon and Eric.”

  Greetings are exchanged, but my sister appears to be drooling over him. She stands there, mouth open, dreamy eyed, not speaking a word. This is not her usual style.

  “Shannon, you can go now,” I tell her. She doesn’t move. “Shannon?” Finally, I spin her around and push her in the direction of the kitchen. My mom asks Drew about five times if he wants any leftover Thanksgiving food. I want to scream, “NO, MOM, HE DOESN’T.” But I don’t think it will do any good. And at last, the coup de grace is my dad asking Drew about his opinion on digital rectal exams in colon cancer screening. REALLY DAD?

  “And on that note, I think it’s time Drew and I head on over to his place. Are you ready Drew?” I’m quite sure my face is the color of the cranberries my mom served at dinner and my expression mu
st look like a clown’s. I need to get the hell out of here.

  I usher Drew out so fast it looks like we’re on skates. I literally dive into his car, not giving him a chance to open the door for me. When he gets into the driver’s seat, he’s shaking with laughter.

  “That was some kind of exit you made.”

  “Are you kidding me? I had to get out of there. I am so mortified by my dad!”

  He only laughs. “Don’t worry about it. You wouldn’t believe the questions I get asked by patients. That was nothing. And he has a concern due to family history.”

  I bury my face in my hands. “I don’t care! I told him not to do that to you.” My voice is muffled.

  “Babe, it’s fine.” He tugs the back of my hair so I’m forced to face him. The corner of his mouth turns up and his eyes dance with mirth. “I thought your mom was the funniest, trying to get me to eat. Do I look like I’m starving?”

  “No.” I bust out laughing. “But you put my sister in a boy-coma. I’ve never seen her shut up like that before. I may have to borrow you on occasion.”

  “Anytime,” he purrs.

  Then it hits me. I flash him a quirky grin and say, “You called me babe.”

  “I did. Is it against the rules?”

  “No. It’s just you’ve never called me that before.”

  “It’s not a term I’ve ever used in the past. But when I think of you, sweet honey comes to mind, too.”

  “Isn’t that a bit repetitive?”

  “No, because honey isn’t sweet enough to describe you.” His gaze grabs mine and drills into me. It’s intense and heated and I grab his face and plant my lips on his.

  “Cate, I could sit in your driveway and make out with you all evening, but I’m afraid we’d have a captive audience and my mother would never forgive me.”

  Glancing up, I see four pairs of eyes peeking through the blinds. What the actual fuck!