Chapter Twenty-One

Kate

"That can't be right," Gavin says. "I can't imagine those two together."

"We can't imagine your mom and my dad together either and yet they're going out, so yeah, it's possible."

"A lot of people have similar handwriting. Just because it looks like Carol's doesn't mean it is."

"But it would make sense if it was. Carol was always at your house. She was there late at night. Maybe one night your dad had too much to drink and...I don't know. It doesn't matter how it happened. The point is that it could be Carol, and if it is, what are we going to do?"

"We're not saying anything until we know for sure. Could you get hold of something she's written so we can compare it to the handwriting on the menu?"

"I don't know. I never see her anymore."

"Maybe you could go to her office. Make up an excuse for why you want to meet with her. Tell her you want advice about the restaurant or something."

"I could, but she's super busy right now. She's got events every day for the next six weeks. I don't even know if she's coming to the opening."

"The opening. That's perfect. We'll put out a guest book where people can write stuff, like congratulations or best of luck or whatever. That way we'll have a handwriting sample. You have to get Carol to show up. Tell her how much it means to you, or get your mom to do it."

"Okay, I'll see what I can do." I look down at the menu. "You know, maybe I'm wrong about this. Like you said, people have similar handwriting."

"We have to at least rule Carol out as an option, and comparing handwriting samples is an easy way to do that."

"Not really. I'm not exactly an expert in handwriting."

"Is your dad?"

"He's not an expert, but he's better than me. But do you really want him knowing all this?"

"If it means figuring this out, then yeah. And besides, I trust your dad."

"You do?" I smile.

"Why are you surprised? You know I like your dad."

"I do, but I wasn't sure if you'd changed your mind now that he's dating your mom."

"I'm not happy about it but I can't hold it against him. Or my mom. They're adults, and if they want to date I can't stop them." He gathers up the stuff on the desk and shoves it back in his pocket. "So how much longer do you need to be here?"

"Probably until ten. You can go home after we eat, if you want."

"I'm not going home." He brings me into his arms and kisses me. "I want to be wherever you are. I miss you. I wish I could've been here every night with you. I don't like the idea of you being here alone at night."

"I wasn't alone. Henry usually stuck around until I left. But tonight I told him you'd be here so he took off. Sounds like he had a hot date to get to." I laugh. "Hearing your mom talk about Henry was hilarious. Those two really don't get along."

"Gramps used to try harder to get along with her but I think he's given up. I think now he actually enjoys annoying her."

"I think so too, but he won't be living there much longer. He could go home now if he wanted to but he insists on waiting until the opening."

"So he can drive my mom crazy."

"Probably. Did you ever tell Henry about your dad?"

"No. I was thinking about it but I don't think I will."

"Maybe he already knows about it."

"I doubt it. The past few years, he barely saw my dad. They only talked a few times a year."

There's a knock on the door, which is still closed.

"Ms. Norris?" a man says.

I open the door and see the plumber. "Sorry, I was just coming to check on things. Did you have a question?"

"No. I was just letting you know there's some men here who came in and starting looking around. I wasn't sure if they should be here."

"Oh, um, okay. I'll be right out."

He walks off and Gavin says, "Were you expecting someone?"

"No. Just the plumber."

Gavin goes past me out the door. "I'll go check."

"I'll come with you."

I follow him to the dining room, where two men in suits are standing and talking to each other. Their backs are to us and I'm wondering if they're Walcott's guys, coming to check on the restaurant again. I wish he'd tell me when they're coming.

"Can I help you?" Gavin asks.

The men turn around. One is older, with gray hair and a dark tan. The other man has black hair and olive skin and is probably in his forties.

"Gavin," the older man says. "Nice to see you again."

"Mr. Hawkins," Gavin says. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"You shouldn't be." He chuckles. "I own the building. I'm here to see how everything's coming along."

"And I insure the building," the other man says as he holds his hand out to Gavin. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Martin Dover." He shakes hands with Gavin. "I knew your father. My company insured his law firm. I've been to your house a few times over the years but you probably don't remember me."

"No. Sorry, I don't."

"It's fine." He smiles at me. "And you must be Kate."

"That's me." I shake his hand, then turn to Mr. Hawkins. "Nice to meet you."

"In person, finally." Hawkins smiles. "I'm sure you saw my name on the lease documents, but it's always good to meet face to face."

"I wish you'd told me you were stopping by." I say it politely but I'm irritated they're here. They can't just stop by whenever they want. "I would've made something for you. I was just about to make dinner if you'd like to stick around."

"Thank you but we'll have to pass," Hawkins says. "We both have wives to get home to and they tend to get angry when we're late." He chuckles as he looks at Gavin. "You'll see what that's like soon enough."

Gavin and I don't respond.

"You're engaged," Hawkins says. "Isn't that correct?"

"No," Gavin says. "Not yet."

"Oh. My mistake." He turns to me. "So Kate, I hear you'll be starting Moorhurst soon."

"I'm just taking one class."

"The entrepreneur class."

"Yes. How did you know?"

"My son told me," Hawkins says. "He's teaching your class. He saw your name on the class roster."

"Your son's a professor at Moorhurst?"

"He has been for years. He loves it there. I'm sure you will as well." He smiles. "I have a feeling you'll fit right in."

That's an odd thing to say. Why would I fit in? I'm nothing like the other students. I didn't grow up going to prep schools. I don't come from a wealthy family. I have no high-society connections. I'll feel completely out of place there, but it's a good school and the class is paid for so I'm going.

"Would you like a quick tour?" I ask, hoping they'll say no.

"I've already seen it," Hawkins says, "but I'm sure Martin would like a tour."

"You've been here before?" I ask Hawkins. "Since the renovations?"

"Several times. I own the building, after all."

I've never seen him before. Did he stop by when I wasn't here or did he come by after I closed the place up? If he owns the building, he must have a key. I don't like that. I feel like he's spying on me.

After a quick tour, the men take off and Gavin and I go to the kitchen to check on the plumber. He's done so I pay him and he leaves.

"We're finally alone," I say, tying on my apron. "Can you believe those guys stopped by like that without even telling me?"

"Yeah. They're assholes." Gavin checks his phone.

"How well do you know that Hawkins guy?"

"Pretty well. I've seen him at parties and he's been to my parents' house for dinner." He sets his phone down. "He's an ass. Thinks he's better than everyone else. That's why he didn't call before showing up. He wants you to know he's more important than you, but he does that to everyone so don't feel bad."

"Do you think he always checks on his tenants like that?"

"No. Especially not ones in buildings like this. Don't take this the wrong way but this place is probably the cheapest building he owns. He wouldn't care if the thing burned down. He'd rather have the insurance money than this building."

"Then why was he here?"

"Who knows? He's friends with Walcott so maybe he sent him over."

"How do all these guys know each other?"

"What guys?"

"These rich business guys that keep showing up here."

"What are you talking about? How many have there been?"

"I don't know...maybe eight or nine?"

"Do you know who they are?"

"Some work for Walcott and others are investors."

"You didn't get that much investment money. It doesn't make sense for investors to show up here."

"Well, they do." I can't tell Gavin this but I keep thinking those men are somehow linked to that secret group. I still think Walcott might be part of it, but I can't prove it. The only evidence I have is that text I got last spring that said silence is rewarded. It came right after I found out I got the Young Entrepreneur Award. I don't know who sent the text but it has to be related to the award. There's no way the timing was just a coincidence.

"You okay?" Gavin asks.

"Yeah. I'm just annoyed they didn't call first. And why would the insurance guy show up here?"

"Martin? I hate that guy. And he's not an insurance agent. He owns the company. It's huge. The guy's worth hundreds of millions, but he inherited it all. It was his dad's company."

"Why do you hate him?"

"Because he always gets drunk at parties and acts inappropriate with the staff. He thinks because they're the hired help he can treat them like shit, so he does. He's always groping the women, making lewd comments."

"You acted like you didn't know him."

"That's just social norms. We were being polite. He knows I hate him so we pretended we didn't know each other. It's a rich-person thing."

"Then why was he nice to me? I'm not rich, and he knows it. I've probably served him dinner before."

"Probably, although I'm pretty sure you'd remember him. He always makes a scene." Gavin picks up a skillet. "Let's get these meatballs started so we can get home."

"And sleep?" I ask in a teasing tone.

He smiles. "We have things to do before we sleep. Things I've missed by working so late."

"You really think things will slow down at work?"

"No, but I'll do what I can to get out of there on time. I can't keep working until midnight."

"You'll be at the opening, right?"

"Of course I will. This is your dream. You're finally opening your own restaurant. You know I'd never miss that."

"Did you tell your boss about it so he knows you have to leave on time that day?"

"No, but it doesn't matter. I'm leaving no matter what. I'm not missing your opening night." He leads me to the fridge. "What do we need?"

"You're really in a hurry."

"Because I'm starving, and for more than just food."

I glance back at my office. Would it really be that bad if we did it in there?

"Did you need something?" Gavin asks, following my eyes to the office.

"No. I was just..." I turn and open the fridge. "Never mind."

He takes my hand off the fridge and turns me toward him.

"Gavin, what are you—"

His lips cover my mouth and he backs me against the stainless steel table, his body pressing into mine.

I can't wait until later. I want him now.

Still kissing me, he lifts me up on the table.

"Not here," I whisper.

"I know," he whispers back.

He waits until I wrap my legs around him, then carries me to the office. For a moment I remember I left the fridge door open and am tempted to go close it but forget all about it when Gavin sets me down and starts undoing my jeans. He drops to his knees and slides my jeans down my legs, along with my panties, as his lips move slowly and gently across my abs.

"Gavin." I pull on his shirt until he stands up. I'd love for him continue what he was doing but that'll have to wait until later. Right now, it needs to be quick. Even though nobody's here, it's possible someone could show up unexpectedly.

He senses my concerns and closes the door, locking it. "Better?" He gives me his sexy smile as he pulls his shirt over his head. My eyes drop to his tight abs and the muscles that line his chest. Damn, I want him.

Locking my eyes with his, I stalk over to him, unbuttoning my shirt so my black, lacy bra shows. He kisses me hard as he rips his belt off and quickly undoes his pants. He backs me up against the desk and shoves my paperwork aside. I grab his face and kiss him as I slowly lie back on the desk. The surface is hard and cold but his body is warm as it presses against mine. I close my eyes and feel him slide inside me, his hand going under my hip, gripping my ass. He moves slowly, in and out, leaving kisses along my neck. I run my fingers through his thick hair and bring his face back to mine. He kisses me once, and then again. Soft, innocent kisses that make me want more. I part my lips and his kisses become the hot, sexy kind that make my body tingle.

He gets a better grip on my ass as he thrusts harder, deeper. I grab the edge of the desk, my hips rising to meet his thrusts. I gasp for breath as I feel it coming, the tension unraveling in an explosion of pleasure. Gavin quickly follows, then holds himself up on his arms as he catches his breath.

"I missed you," he says, dropping a kiss on my lips, then my cheek.

"I missed you too." I smile. "So much I couldn't wait until we got home."

He smiles back. "I knew you wanted to do it here."

"I didn't," I say, trying to sound convincing.

"You did." He kisses me once more before standing up. He offers me his hand. "You really need to stay here and work tonight?"

"Yeah. I want to test that recipe one more time."

"Kate, I've had those meatballs and they're great. You don't need to keep trying to make them better."

"I adjusted the seasoning so I need to test them again. But you don't need to stay. If you're tired from work, you can go home."

He hands me my clothes and gives me a kiss. "I'm not going home without you. So if you're staying, I'm staying." He looks me in the eye. "I love you. And I'm so proud of you."

"I love you too." I smile and give him a kiss. He's the best boyfriend ever. Sure, he's been working a lot but we've both been working hard, trying to get our careers going. I can't be mad at him about that.

We make the meatballs and have dinner at one of the tables in the dining room. It's the first time I've eaten at a table. I always sit at the counter. But sitting at the table, looking around at the place I created, my dream finally coming to life, I can't help but wonder how I got here. Just a year ago, I was living with Megan in that tiny apartment, working for Carol doing catering jobs, dating that asshole, Kurt. I hadn't even met Gavin.

But then I did and my life changed. He made me believe I could do more. That I could make my dream a reality. Every time I told him it'd never work, he told me it would. He was determined to make sure I followed through on what I thought would never happen. And now? I own a restaurant. My very own place that I designed and imagined in my head for years and never thought I'd see in real life. But now here it is and I owe it all to Gavin.

"I love you," I tell him.

"I love you too." He smiles and gives me a kiss.

Gavin and I have had our ups and downs and the past few weeks our relationship has struggled, but the one thing I can always count on is that he'll always be there for me. If I need him to support me, he'll be there, no matter what.