CHAPTER TEN
Cat
“I need a beard,” I said into the phone.
“Baby girl, I don’t think that would look good on you,” my friend, Nathan replied.
I groaned. “Okay, maybe that wasn’t the right way to use that term, but I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend.”
I heard him chuckle through the phone. “No, you didn’t use that term correctly. You would be my beard.”
“Whatever,” I sighed. “Remember how I told you about the boy who broke my heart?”
“How can I forget? You compare all the men you date to him.”
I rolled my eyes even though Nathan couldn’t see me. “Right. So, my friend Joss called me this morning and invited me to her wedding. I’m pretty sure that Seth will be there, and I don’t want to go all the way to Vegas alone—”
“Vegas?” he interrupted. “All you had to say was we are going to Vegas, and I’m down for whatever.”
“Good. Pack your bags, and I’ll book us on the next flight in the morning and a hotel room.”
“The morning?”
“Yeah. The wedding is Saturday.”
“And you just got invited?”
“I don’t know all the details, but Joss said she’d explain why it’s short notice when I get there. Might have something to do with her being in the FBI.”
“All right. Text me what time you’re picking me up. I need to go primp myself.”
“Me too,” I admitted. Luckily I’d just gotten my nails and hair done, but what dress was I going to wear that would make Seth regret breaking my heart?
I needed to go shopping.
I found the perfect dress. It took me awhile, and I wasn’t sure what was sexier: a dress that went above the knee or a floor-length one that had high slits up both legs. I went with the latter. There was just something about the navy blue floral print dress that spoke to me. It had shades of cream, rose and browns with a drawstring, halter bodice and elasticized waist. And not one, but two slits on either leg that showed my toned legs as I walked. Paired with rose colored, ankle strapped heels and I was hoping Seth would be drooling.
Payback’s a bitch, right?
What if Seth was coming with a girlfriend—or his wife? Oh my God, was Seth married? Did he have kids? My Facebook detective work wasn’t in full-force these days, and he never posted any pictures. Mrs. McKenna didn’t either. Fuck!
If Seth showed up with another woman—a wife or girlfriend—I might have to kiss Nathan in front of him. I didn’t care that I was approaching thirty. We were talking about me coming face to face with the only man I’d ever loved. Best case scenario was Seth wouldn’t be there. But this was Joss we were talking about, and she and Seth were still best friends after all these years. My gut was telling me that he’d be there.
After Nathan and I arrived in Vegas late the night before, we took a taxi to Bally’s where we were staying. I’d never been to Vegas before, and seeing all the lights on the strip, the people, and the dry heat didn’t disappoint. Plus, there was a Starbucks right out the front doors of the hotel. A girl needed good coffee in the mornings, especially if she was going to have to pretend to be dating a gay guy.
“We’re going to be late,” I called to Nathan as he was still in the bathroom getting ready.
“You can’t rush perfection, baby girl.”
“I told Joss I’d meet her at her house so we could ride with her to the venue,” I reminded him. After my first patient on Thursday, I’d called Joss to tell her that I was coming. She sounded different—happy—excited even. She didn’t want to explain over the phone why she was in Vegas or why there was a rush for her to get married, and I was okay with that. She gave me her address and told me to meet her there, and we could ride over in the limo together and catch up.
“Two minutes.”
I went to the mirror and made sure my curls were staying intact. My phone buzzed in my clutch, and I smiled as I saw that it was a text from Dan the Murderer.
Dan the Murderer: Hey Cat! Hope all is well. It’s day three, and given the standard dating rules, I’m supposed to call you. Except I’m out of town for the weekend. Can I call you tomorrow when I get home and set up a date?
I smiled as I sent a text back.
Me: Hey! I’m out of town too. Tomorrow sounds good.
The bathroom door opened, and there was a hot man with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes in a navy, pinned striped suit with a rose colored shirt standing before me. I shook my head. “Nope, can’t rush perfection.”
He smirked. “You too. And if I didn’t know any better, I’d think we were a couple.”
I laughed. “Well, we match like we’re going to prom.”
“That’s what couples do. They color coordinate.”
I put my phone in my clutch then turned to walk to the door. “All right. Let’s go face my worst nightmare.”
Nathan grabbed my arm, stopping me from walking past him. “Everything will be fine. And who knows. Maybe he’s single just like you are and you two can hit it off again.”
I swallowed. “Doubt that. I haven’t seen him in eleven years.”
“I know, and you’re both grown-ups now. I’m just saying that if you two want to rekindle that old flame, I’m perfectly fine coming back here and finding my own party. We’re in Vegas after all. This town doesn’t sleep, and I don’t plan on it either.”
I gave him a warm smile. “I doubt that will happen, but if it does, hang a sock on the door.”
Nathan opened the door for us to leave. “I’m not bringing them back here. Everyone knows not to take a hookup back to your own turf. They won’t leave when you want them to.”
I laughed, and we walked out into the hall. “I’m not holding my breath. A lot can happen in eleven years.”
“But true love lasts forever.”
I laughed harder. “What are you, a Hallmark card?”
“I’m just saying that I won’t stand in your way if you rekindle anything.”
I was done going in circles with him. Nathan didn’t know what he was talking about. “If you say so.”
Not gonna lie, I was nervous. I hadn’t seen Joss in so long, and as the cab pulled up to a two-story house, I wasn’t sure how our reunion was going to be. Luckily I wasn’t going in alone. I wasn’t sure if I would have come without Nathan, but Joss had been my best friend for many years, and growing up I always thought I’d see her get married, just like she’d see me. So here I was walking up the walkway to her house.
“What if he answers the door?”
“Then I’ll grab your hand, baby girl. I’m good at faking shit.”
“I owe you.” I took a deep breath as I rang the doorbell. My heart stalled in my chest as we waited. The wood door swung open, and it wasn’t Joss or Seth who answered. “Oh,” I stammered and looked at the house number next to the door. Did the cab drop us off at the wrong place?
“You must be Cat,” the stunning pregnant brunette said with a smile.
I hesitated slightly. “I am.”
She stuck out her hand. “I’m Autumn, Joss’s friend.”
I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. This is my boyfriend, Nathan.” Lord that sounded weird to say on so many levels.
“Pleasure,” he said and stuck out his own hand.
After we greeted each other, she stepped back and motioned for us to enter. “Joss is upstairs still getting ready, but she said for you to go on up. It’s the last door on the left.”
“Thanks,” I replied and looked to Nathan.
“I’ll be fine. Go see your friend, honey.”
I smiled, took a deep breath, and walked up the stairs. With each room I passed, I looked inside to see if Seth was there, but he wasn’t in any of the rooms. When I got to the last door on the left, I walked in to see Joss in front of a standing mirror. Her back was to me, and the first thing I noticed was how beautiful her lace gown fit. It was a form fitting, spaghetti strapped, backless sheath dress with a lace train. My breath caught at the sight of her.
“Joss,” I whispered, still hung up on how beautiful my friend had grown up to be.
She turned and rushed to me. “Oh my God, Cat!”
“You look so beautiful,” I gushed as we wrapped each other in our arms.
“I’ve missed you so much. Thank you for coming.”
We pulled apart, a lump forming in my throat. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“I need to tell you some things before we go.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Okay. Sure.”
We both sat on the end of her bed, and she turned toward me. “So you’re probably wondering why I called you without much notice?” I nodded, and she smiled. “Well, this wasn’t planned by any means. I came out here to work an undercover case, and I fell in love with—” She paused, and I noticed her eyes were starting to become glassy. “I can’t even describe how I feel about him. He’s just—the mirror to my soul.”
“Aw, Joss …” I touched her knee. It warmed my heart to hear that she’d found love.
Joss took a deep breath and waved her hands in front of her face. “I can’t cry, or I’ll mess up my makeup.” We both chuckled. “Anyway, I met him my first day undercover. I was placed as his roommate, and since day one I fought the attraction I had for him because I was working a case.”
“Was he your … mission?” I didn’t know the right terminology.
She laughed. “No. He was my distraction more like it.”
“But everything worked out in the end, and now you’re getting married.”
“Yes and no. There’s more to the story.”
“Oh. Okay.” I furrowed my brows.
Joss took a deep breath and looked to the left out the window. A few seconds ticked by before she finally spoke again. “I can’t tell you all the details, but I need to tell you some stuff.”
“Are you still undercover?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Oh,” I breathed. Wasn’t expecting that answer because I thought once someone was undercover, they had no contact with their real life.
“Well, yes and no. It’s a special case.”
“Oh,” I said again, trying to follow along.
“I’ll just tell you how I told Seth.”
My eyes shot up to hers at the mention of his name. Trying to play it cool as if hearing his name spoken didn’t make my heart ache, I replied, “Okay?”
“Remember how I ran away at seventeen and went to live with him?”
“Yeah?” How did twelve years ago factor into her working undercover?
“I ran away because Cruella and her pimp sold me to a man so he could take my virginity.”
I blinked, not sure I was hearing her correctly. “What?”
“That’s why I wasn’t me after that night. It took me years to finally be happy again, and I wasn’t truly happy until I fell in love with Paul. Even though I was a cop and now FBI, I never truly felt safe until him. It was like I was always on edge, looking over my shoulder for more bad shit to happen to me—”
I reached for her and wrapped my arms around her neck. “Jossie, you could have come to me.”
“I know,” she said against my neck. “Seth too. Hell, Seth is a cop, and I never once told him what happened to me until now. I think it was because when I heard from Mrs. McKenna that my mom and Bryce left, I knew there was no hope of catching the guy.”
We pulled back. “Is that what you’re doing now? Catching the guy? Trying to find your mom?” That was the only reason I could think of for her to be telling me this after all these years.
She smiled tightly. “Yeah, but shit, Cat. It’s so much deeper.”
“What do you mean?”
Joss sighed. “So my mom sold me out to her pimp, Tony, and long story short, he’s Bryce’s real father, and they run a sex trafficking ring.”
“What?” I asked again, not sure I’d heard her correctly.
“I arrested Bryce a couple of weeks ago.”
“What?” I screeched, blinking and shaking my head slightly. I was confused. So confused.
“I know. I didn’t know until I was face to face with him. I’m not sure when he realized it was me, but he agreed to be an informant to bring Tony down.”
“His own father?”
“Yeah. He hates him.”
“What about Cruella?”
Joss stood with her back to me. “She killed herself.”
I wanted to say, “Good,” but that probably wasn’t the best reply, so I didn’t say anything.
“Anyway, I was sent here to work undercover to bring down a sex trafficking ring. I had no idea that I would be tied to it. Now I’m determined more than ever to bring down the King Pin. I brought Seth in to help.”
“He’s—here?” I knew he was, but I needed Joss to confirm it.
“He and Paul are at the house where I’m getting married. And we better go, or I’ll be late to my own wedding.” She laughed.
“Right.” I stood, knowing that it wouldn’t be long until I would see Seth.
She wrapped me in her arms again. “For my honeymoon, I’m working a case with Seth. We start everything on Monday, but after it’s all done, I’ll tell you more. I’ll come visit you in Miami, and we’ll catch up on everything. I want to know everything I’ve missed.”
We pulled apart. “That sounds really nice.”
“Okay.” She smiled and went to the mirror to check her hair and makeup. “One more thing.” She turned from the mirror to look at me again. “I wasn’t sure if you were actually going to show, and since this is all short notice and on a limb, I asked Autumn to stand with me when I get married.”
A lump started to form in my throat. I understood her decision, but it still stung. “I understand. I’m just happy to be here.” I smiled a warm smile, trying to hide the pain.
Joss smiled back. “Me too. And now it’s time to get married.”
We took a white limo to a house on the outskirts of Vegas. It was good riding over with Joss and Autumn. They both got along with Nathan, and I’d learned that Paul, Autumn’s fiancé, and Gabe were both former male escorts. Never in my life would I have ever guessed that Joss would have fallen in love with a man who used to have sex for a living. Granted, Joss and Autumn both swore up and down that they were only paid to go on dates, but everyone knows what a gigolo does. And not only were Paul and Gabe going to be at the wedding, but their gigolo friends were too. A girl might need to have some fun if you know what I mean, especially after seeing Seth. No telling what emotions were on the horizon for our reunion.
“Ready?” Autumn asked, looking at Joss as the limo came to a stop.
“Beyond ready,” she beamed.
The driver opened the door, and we all piled out. The front door swung open, and my heart fell out of my chest. I watched it flop on the ground as I sensed Seth walking toward us. His short, dark brown hair was spiked a little in the front, and his green eyes felt as though they were piercing my soul as he stared at me. Plus, he had the same light dusting of a beard that he’d had the last time I’d seen him, and I still had the urge to run my fingers across it or feel it between my legs.
Seth was a man.
A fine piece of a man.
A man I wanted to maul even though he’d ripped my heart out.
“Fuck,” I murmured under my breath. And just like he said he would, Nathan was in full boyfriend mode. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him. “Thank you,” I whispered.
Against my ear, Nathan whispered back, “If you don’t bang him this weekend, I will.”
I smiled, trying to mask my laughter as I looked into the emerald eyes I thought I’d never see again.
“Kitty Cat,” Seth clipped in a harsh but direct tone, then looked at Nathan’s arm around me. I hadn’t heard that name in so long that, when he spoke the two words, my stomach dipped as though it was trying to resurrect the butterflies that had died when he’d broken my heart. Even if he sounded annoyed to see me.
My hands itched to wrap around his waist and hug him. I’d missed him so much. Except I stood there in my fake boyfriend’s embrace. “Seth, it’s good to see you. This is my boyfriend, Nathan.”
Nathan released me, and the men shook hands. Then the person we were all here for stepped around me, and Seth turned to her.
“Damn, Jossie. You’re not the six-year-old I first met playing Barbie. You’re stunning.”
She smiled. “Thanks. Is everyone ready?”
“Are you?” Seth countered.
“I’ve never been so sure of anything else in my entire life.”
“That’s our cue,” Autumn said. “I’ll show Cat and Nathan to their seats and get ready.”
My gaze met Seth’s again for a brief moment, and I swore the look in his eyes was the same pain I was feeling. Like it hurt to breathe the same air because no matter what, we loved each other, but we weren’t together. At least I knew I loved him. Still did. Except if he loved me, why did he give up? I know I didn’t make it easy for him. I’d never taken his calls, never returned them or his texts, and then he just stopped trying. But I was young, dumb, and my heart had been broken for the first time. I never wanted to experience that pain again. But seeing Seth after all these years—in a tuxedo that I knew was hugging muscles that went on for days—brought everything back.
I missed him.
I still loved him.
I wanted him to tell me that he loved me and we could be together because that was what I’d always wanted. That was what I searched for in every failed relationship I had. But he only spoke two words to me. He didn’t hug me, didn’t kiss me—didn’t so much as tell me he’d missed me or that it was good to see me too.
And as I walked with Nathan’s hand in mine behind Autumn, the heart that I thought couldn’t be broken anymore started to crack again.