CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
KATY
“Darling,” Jay told Talia, “Marcus and I have some business to discuss. Do you mind if we do that now before all the festivities?”
“Go,” Talia said. “Katy and I will have a heart-to-heart.”
Marcus gazed at her like a puppy before he and Jay left the room.
“What was that all about?” Talia asked.
Katy sighed. “It’s a long story.”
“We have all the time in the world. Spill it.”
“He and I traveled through Guatemala together,” Katy said. “And we…I…” she blushed, “…fell in love.”
Talia swooned.
“First,” Katy said, “we met horribly. I chewed him out when I was looking for parking. He stole the spot at the curb. Fortunately, a cop helped me get one.”
“But that sounds cute.”
“Well.” Katy shrugged. “I wasn’t my best self, believe me. Then I marched into his office, asking him to go to Conchilla. When he hemmed and hawed, I told him he needed to walk in someone else’s shoes.” She closed her eyes at the memory.
“That’s so true, though.”
Katy shook her head. “My message wasn’t the problem. He said he knew about walking in someone’s shoes, and I dissed him anyway.”
“Katy Stevens, I could see you haranguing the poor man to go to your beloved Guatemala.”
Katy chuckled. “He surprised me by going.”
“Well, you can be pretty…stubborn.” Talia smiled. “And I say that in a loving way.”
“Of course, we had another testy exchange because I just don’t know how to keep my thoughts to myself.” Katy winced. “And then he got very sick.”
“Uh-oh.”
“He ate strawberries washed in tap water, and he had food poisoning. I…I helped him get better.”
“As in…?”
Katy blushed. “I stayed in his room until he felt better.”
“Wow.” Talia’s eyes got huge.
“I need to explain something,” Katy said. “The reason I helped him.”
“Because he’s hot?”
Katy giggled. “Aside from that.”
“Then I give up.”
Katy took a deep breath. “Four Christmases ago, his wife and unborn baby were killed by a drunk driver.”
Talia’s face crumpled. “Oh dear.” She reached for Katy’s hand.
“Yes.” Katy squeezed her hand back. “So, with this great beginning, we go to the Tikal ruins, which were amazing. From there we took a bus to Flores that was waylaid by a landslide. And then we finally made it to Conchilla.”
Katy paused. “It was a cool night. We came woefully unprepared. He held me in his arms to keep me warm. All night.” Her cheeks burned at the memory.
Talia’s eyes shone. “That sounds so romantic. What went wrong?”
“The next day, a helicopter arrived with a reporter and cameraman.” Katy watched the firelight in the grate. “I accused him of throwing his billionaire status around and for caring only about a photo opp.”
Talia bit her lip. “Harsh.”
Katy nodded miserably. “He went his way in his helicopter. I took the bus to the next town over. I thought about us during the ride. When I got to Flores, I humbled myself enough to go to him. I knock on his hotel door at this amazing resort, and the reporter opens the door. In a bathrobe.”
“What?” Talia’s eyes bugged out.
“Behind her, Marcus was standing in the jacuzzi.”
Talia was silent for a long moment. “I’d ditch him too, frankly. That would make me steaming mad.”
“He texted me that they were waiting for the cameraman.” She watched the fire. “He said it was all innocent.”
“Oy.” Talia sighed. “I don’t know. I think you were right to say goodbye.”
“He wanted to talk so he could explain.” Katy ran her fingers through her hair. “I told him no. Of course, you know about the benefit which I didn’’t attend.”
“Okay, so I get it now. How do you feel about him?”
“I…I like him a lot. Maybe I’ve fallen in love a bit. But he hurt me. Oh. I forgot to tell you about his terrible kiss.”
“How could you leave out such a juicy detail?”
“Sorry, you’ll just have to imagine it. But he kissed me in anger before we went to Conchilla. Like I said, it was terrible. I felt used, and I didn’t think I’’d talk to him again. He apologized, but it still hurts.”
“He sounds imperfect,” Talia said, “like the rest of us.”
Katy nodded and then burst into tears.
Talia opened her arms, and Katy fell into her embrace. “There. There,” Talia said.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Katy said, sobbing. “He’s still grieving for his dead wife.”
“Well, that is a hard thing.” Talia tipped Katy’s chin up. “I’’m glad you told me. I’d hate to be oblivious to all that.”
Katy sniffled. “Don’t be oblivious like me.”
Talia shushed her. “Would you listen to yourself, Katy? You are one of the most awesome and selfless people on the planet. The last word I would use to describe you is oblivious. You care so much about others. You are so transparent with your goodness. It’s just that, sometimes, you tend to go a little overboard.”
“Just a little.” Katy smiled.
“I’m glad to see that smile. Now, don’t you worry about this coming week. Enjoy yourself and let your Fairy Godmother Talia work her magic.” Talia winked.
Katy’s eyes narrowed. “What are you thinking, Talia?”
“Oh?” Talia smiled innocently. “Nothing in particular. Nothing that you didn’t try in Lexington for me and Jay, anyway.”
Katy shook her head and chuckled. Just telling Talia the story made her feel better.