Impulsive (21 page)

“Isn't that what you wanted?”

“Of course not.” Cara's eyebrow lifted in response to that. “Well, sort of, but I never expected him to blow like that.”

Cara morphed from sympathetic to unbending. She took up her judging-mother stance, arms folded and lips pursed, and stared Katie down. “You've been testing him this whole time.”

“That's not true.”

“Of course it is. You want to know why?”

“I'm sure you're going to tell me.”

“You didn't think you were good enough and couldn't understand why he couldn't see that, so you pushed him.”

The truth slapped at Katie. She didn't want to believe this had all grown out of her self-esteem issues. She'd come further than that. “I wanted him to open up to me.”

“You wanted him to prove that he could love you as much as he once loved Deana.”

That woman slipped into everything. When Eric wasn't using her name, she was showing up or people were talking about her. “What does she have to do with this?”

“Everything, I think.”

No, this was about Eric and how he closed himself off rather than sharing anything with her. But then it all got wrapped up with Jimmy and his stupid plans to make money. She was sorry she'd ever dragged Eric into his mess.

Except for the part where she met Eric. Even now with her heart aching and her world collapsing, she knew he was the best thing to happen to her—ever.

She flipped the photos over so she didn't have to see them.

“I was worried our relationship was only based on sex. I wanted to know it meant more to Eric than that.” She had been so afraid of losing him that she'd pushed him into going. The inner fire she wanted so desperately to see had burned her.

“And now that you got what you said you wanted, you're still upset.”

She'd been an idiot. Katie knew that now. “I want Eric.”

Cara's battle stance eased. “Oh, Katie.”

“What?”

“You love him.”

Katie had admitted it to Eric and he'd pretended not to hear her. She couldn't say those words again without breaking into a thousand pieces, but she couldn't deny her feelings either. “Yes.”

Cara wrapped her arm around Katie's shoulders and pulled her in tight. “Then you don't have any choice.”

“I could go hunt Jimmy down and beat the snot out of him.” Just the thought of that cleared out the sadness for a second.

“You need to talk with Eric.”

It would be easier to run around the island backward and on fire. “You weren't here. You didn't see him.”

“He's hurt and lashing out.”

“That is a huge understatement.”

“He's human, which is what you always wanted to know.”

Exhaustion settled over Katie. All of a sudden her limbs weighed a hundred pounds each. “I messed up.”

Cara rested her head against Katie's. “If you really love him, you need to fight for him. Go find him and make him listen to you. Use whatever skills you have to keep him in place until he hears you.”

“What if I've lost him?” Katie's voice broke on the question.

“He's a good man. Fair and decent.”

Katie tried to remember the last time Cara said something positive about a male. Somewhere along the line, she'd become as invested in Eric as Katie had. That just doubled Katie's pain. She'd managed to disappoint everyone she loved.

“He was all those things when he walked out of here awhile ago.”

“A man who was indifferent to you wouldn't have exploded. You keep that in mind as he fights you, and he will. That one is going to go down swinging now that he's been wounded.”

She never even knew she had the power to touch Eric like that. “I have to track him down.”

“The most likely place is work.”

Hope flickered inside her. “Getting him to listen will be harder.”

“There has to be someone who can help you with that.”

Seth
. “I know the guy.”

Cara gave Katie one last hug, then grabbed for the apron. “Then go so I can get to work.”

The reality of why she was there, wearing a skirt and uncomfortable shoes, hit Katie. “The shower. I totally forgot.”

Cara waved a hand in dismissal. “I'll handle it. You go get Eric.”

K
atie stood outside the door to Eric's condo later that evening. She wore the same catering outfit from earlier in the day. She'd run all over town in the thing. Her feet ached and the waistband cut into her skin, but she didn't care. She'd finally gotten close.

She had tracked Eric's assistant down at the courthouse only to find out Eric was in a meeting of some sort. When she got back to his office, she was told he was gone for the day. Leave it to him to pick the one day she tried to find him as the only day he took off early.

That left one option. Finding Seth took more time since she couldn't remember his last name. But once she found him and pled her case to talk with Eric, Seth relented. Even now, Seth's face said he wanted to believe her but wasn't ready to commit. Which explained why he stood next to her. The vibe was clear. He wasn't so much accompanying her as guarding her and protecting Eric.

“You ready for this?” he asked.

“No.”

“At least you're honest.”

“Do you mind mentioning that to Eric?”

Seth raised his hand to knock. “Don't make me regret this.”

“I won't.”

“You should know one thing. You're not going to be alone with Eric.”

She was starting to see Eric's point about everyone wanting to protect him. It got annoying. “He's a big boy. I'm not sure he needs you in there with him, holding his hand.”

Seth cracked a smile but it left as fast it came. “It's not that.”

“Then what?”

“Eric is having a meeting tonight.”

Katie's stomach dropped to the floor. Went right through her pantyhose and smacked the space between her feet. “Maybe this isn't a good time.”

Seth shifted and leaned a shoulder against the door. “Seems to me if you want to prove something to Eric, you can do it one-on-one or in a room full of people.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“He's still talking to me.”

“You have a point, but Eric might want this to stay between us. He might not like his private life splashed all over the place.”

Seth's eyebrow inched up. “Could it get worse than it is now?”

Her mind flashed to the video and the photos. The press conference wasn't exactly a quiet moment at home either. “I guess not.”

Seth nodded. “Then let's do this.”

She caught his hand before he could knock. “I know you care about him.”

“Guys don't use those words.” The sarcasm in his voice killed the serious look he tried to sell.

“You're his friend. Guys do admit that, right?'

“I think of him like a brother.” There was no missing Seth's pride in that statement.

“I love him.”

This time Seth did smile and didn't try to hide it. “That's the only reason you're standing here.”

“You knew?”

“I'm just happy you finally figured it out.”

 

Kevin looked across the dining room table at Josh and Deana. “Why is everyone here?”

“Always good to see you, Kev.” Josh slipped his arm over the back of Deana's chair.

“No offense meant. I just thought this was a campaign meeting.”

“It is.” Eric put a coffee mug in front of Josh and handed Deana a bottle of water.

Now that Eric had done his bit as host, he could concentrate on getting this meeting going. He was not in the mood for talking or fighting, but this had to be done. If he was revamping his life, he might as well start now. It was time to get rid of everyone who made his life difficult.

Forget that his muscles ached as if he had the flu. That was leftover adrenaline burn from his knockdown with Katie.

Katie
. Despite everything and how much he wanted to hate her, her image wouldn't leave his head.

But he couldn't go there now. He had to stay focused. “To be honest, I consider this more an intervention than a meeting.”

“Are you okay?” Deana asked.

“I will be.” A knock at the door interrupted him. “That'll be Seth.”

“How cozy,” Kevin mumbled.

“It's open.”

Eric wished he were sitting. Staying on his feet while Katie walked into his house in that sexy little number from their first meeting was not easy. From this distance he couldn't pick up the familiar scent of her hair. He did see the flash of leg and the determined spark in her eye.

Then there was the stupid grin on Seth's mouth.

A mix of fury and hope poured through Eric. He wanted to shout his confusion but he just didn't have the strength. “What's going on?”

“I found another participant for your party.”

Eric took in Seth's hand at Katie's back and the way she stayed right up next to him. It wasn't sexual. It was protective. Walking on his turf terrified her. Eric had always seen her as sassy and full of life. The twinge of vulnerability was new. Instead of being moved by it, he wondered if it was real.

Kevin looked up then. He jumped to his feet. “Her?”

Katie's eyes narrowed as she stepped even closer to Seth. “Do we know each other?”

“You're the one who caused all of this.” Kevin swept out his arm in a wide arc. “You and your boyfriend set up Eric.”

“That's not true.”

“You had sex with him so you could tape it and then ruin him.”

“Where are you getting your information?” Deana let out an exasperated huff. If she wanted it to be known she wasn't impressed with the accusations, she succeeded.

Kevin leaned over the table. “That woman—”

“My name is Katie.”

“—made a play for Eric at your wedding, Deana. That's where the whole thing started. She took advantage and hooked him in.”

Eric wondered what the hell vibe he gave off that made people think he couldn't take care of himself. “You know I'm thirty-seven, right?”

“I don't know about the taking advantage part, though I assume if Katie did take advantage, it was because Eric wanted her to, since he's a pretty smart guy and, let's face it, she is an attractive woman,” Josh said. “But you're talking to the wrong crowd. We know all about how they met. At least Deana and I do.”

Seth raised his hand. “Me too.”

“You do?” Katie looked appalled by the idea. Even sent Eric a withering glare.

“It's no big deal,” Josh said.

Deana slipped her arm through her husband's. “It's kind of romantic to think they found each other at our wedding.”

Eric thought that was probably going too far. It's not as if the first meeting in the bathroom was about love. A healthy dose of lust fueled that one.

Kevin talked right over them. “How can you say that?”

“It's personal between Katie and Eric, and not our business.” Deana stood up and motioned for Seth and Katie to come closer. “Come in and sit down.”

When Katie passed by Kevin, Eric watched the byplay, looking for any signs of recognition between them. A gesture or a pre-arranged signal. But nothing happened. Kevin didn't act like he knew her except as a target for his out-of-control rage. He sputtered and blamed.

Except for the small explosion at hearing that everyone knew her business at the wedding, Katie looked confused. Most of her quick peeks were saved for Deana. Clearly Katie didn't expect the woman she viewed as her rival to step up in her defense.

Eric raised a hand to quiet the room. “That's enough accusations.”

“You can't still believe this bitch.” Kevin aimed all his fury at Katie.

Josh sat up straighter. “Hey!”

“I got this.” Eric motioned for Josh to stay in his seat. There were few things Eric hated more than a man who bullied women, and that's exactly what his soon-to-be-former campaign manager was doing. “Kevin, if you unload one more comment like that, I won't need Josh to beat the shit out of you. I'll do it myself. Pound you until you never talk to a woman like that again, got it?”

Josh smiled. “Nice.”

“About fucking time,” Seth added.

Katie hadn't moved. The second Kevin started yelling, she'd stopped dead on the floor. Not that she looked scared. Quite the opposite. She clenched her fist as if she planned to land a shot or two on her own.

Eric nodded to her. “It's okay. Take a seat.”

He noticed her hand shook as she reached for the chair. To prevent a scene, he pulled the chair out for her. When he glanced up again, every person at the table was staring at him.

Kevin fumed. “What the hell is going on?”

Eric rested his hands on the back of Katie's chair. Damn, but it felt right to be this close to her. He had no idea how that was still possible. “I talked with the reporter who did the story about the video.”

Katie stared up at him. “You did?”

“Twice, actually.” Eric kept his attention on Kevin. “He never talked with you about it.”

“What?”

“You named the reporter as your source for Jimmy Blau's involvement with the video.”

Kevin looked around the table. His eyes were wild now. “No, I didn't.”

“I was standing right there,” Seth said. “You did.”

“If you didn't get the information from the reporter, then that means you got it from Blau. And that can only mean one thing: you hired Jimmy to have someone follow me.”

Kevin continued to aim his fury at Katie. “Her.”

Finger-pointing wasn't going to work here. Eric had gotten over the initial wedding deception. That was the least of his worries regarding Katie at this point. “I know all about that.”

“Apparently everyone at the table does,” she whispered under her breath.

Eric let his fingers brush against her shoulder. When she didn't flinch or move away, he kept them there. “I want to know why, Kev. What the hell were you thinking?”

“I had to know what I was dealing with.”

At least he didn't deny it.

Eric guessed he should be relieved at having ferreted out the truth, but the sense of relief evaded him. Being right still meant someone he trusted had betrayed him. “What does that mean?”

Kevin's gaze flicked to Josh and then back again. “There was certain information I needed, both so I could reassure our donors and so I could come up with a strategy with you to combat it.”

Josh eyed Deana. “I think he means you, dear.”

“Men are such idiots,” Deana said.

“Absolutely,” Katie agreed right after.

“Ever think of just asking me? It's my life.” Eric asked the question even though he knew the answer. No one did. Everyone was so busy rushing around, trying to protect him, they missed the fact he was fine.

“You weren't in a mind-set to help. You were reeling from Deana's marriage to Josh.” Kevin held up his hands in a calming gesture. “No offense.”

“You're wrong.” The boom of Eric's voice caught everyone's attention.

“I never imagined you'd turn around and get involved with her.” Kevin nodded in Katie's general direction. “Or that she had a scam going. I was shoring up our campaign. This sort of thing is done all the time.”

Eric knew a justification when he heard one. “You went too far.”

“I asked about your behavior at the wedding. Your new girlfriend is the one who took it too far.”

Katie almost bounced out of her chair. “Do not blame me, you slimy bastard.”

Eric tried to hold her down but she wasn't done.

“You lost control of Jimmy. You thought he worked for you but the whole time he was just searching for an angle. Somehow you handed him one and he ran with it.” Katie swore under her breath.

“You would know,” Kevin shot back.

Katie's shoulders stiffened even more. “I didn't have anything to do with the video.”

Kevin scoffed. “We're supposed to believe that.”

Katie didn't back down. She leaned across the table, smacking her hands against the wood as she spoke. “You set him loose. Jimmy is a two-bit player and you let him con you.”

“Why are you even here?”

Eric took that one. “She's here because I want her here.”

With that, all the air left the room. No one said a word. Even Kevin was knocked speechless.

Katie did a good bit of staring. When she opened her mouth to say something, Eric squeezed her shoulder as he helped her back into her chair. “Later.”

Deana heard the whispered word because she did some mumbling of her own. “Maybe there's hope for you yet.”

Eric ignored both women. He could only handle one battle at a time and the political one was hot enough. The female kind was well beyond him at the moment.

Filled with regret he hadn't expected, Eric looked at Kevin. Here was the man he'd entrusted with the intricacies of his campaign. Kevin had political experience and they'd been close since law school, but they'd gone different ways. He acted like he had to control a presidential candidate instead of a local contest that should be an easy win.

And now Eric had to end the bloodletting. “It's time for you to go.”

Kevin's eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“You went behind my back, and maybe you thought you were doing a good thing at the time, but you didn't come to me. I can't trust you.”

“But you can trust your sleazy girlfriend?”

Seth stood up. “That's it.”

“I'm not warning you again.” Eric wrestled with the part of him that wanted to land a punch on his former friend. “My relationship with Katie is not your business. Nothing is. As of right now, you're fired.”

“You've got to be kidding.”

“You can go through the formality of handing in a resignation, if you want. If anyone asks, we'll say your litigation schedule picked up and you couldn't make the commitment.”

The import must have hit Kevin because his body shrank. “Eric.”

“I'm fine with providing cover. But hear me on one thing. You say a negative word about Katie and I will tell everyone I know about your maneuvering in the campaign. You want to see a reputation go down in flames, keep pushing me.”