Chapter Five

 

 

I wonder if that’s how Levi really feels about love and relationships? Katie wondered to herself as she and Cassie walked into the kitchen to make lunch for the kids.

What does it matter if he thinks that way or not? It’s not like you ever had a chance with him. No matter what he’d been about to say earlier.

“So, what the hell is going on with you two?” Cassie asked as she opened Katie’s refrigerator and pulled out the ingredients to make sandwiches. Katie looked over at Cassie trying to feign ignorance, but she could tell from the stern expression on her best friend’s face that she wasn’t buying it.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

“What are you talking about? What two?” she asked, turning away from Cassie and opening her cabinets to pull down the plastic cups she’d bought just for when her nieces and nephews visited.

She heard Cassie scoff behind her but chose not to turn around. Instead Katie set about making sure she’d gotten down the plastic plates, bowls, and cloth napkins. She smiled as she noted the initials on different plates, bowls, and napkins. She knew she spoiled her brother’s kids, but she didn’t have anyone to spoil besides Bruce, so she indulged—and sometimes went overboard—when it came to the children in her life.

“You can’t avoid looking at me forever,” Cassie said from just behind Katie’s left shoulder.

Katie jumped slightly and let out a small squeak. Turning around, she blushed as she saw Cassie standing there with her hands on her hips. Katie gave her sister-in-law a small smile and shrugged.

“It’s nothing Cassie,” she stated, waving her hand in an offhanded manner.

Cassie rolled her eyes. “It’s not nothing Katie. I saw how close the two of you were when I walked in. You looked as if you were about to kiss or something.”

“We weren’t about to kiss, Cass! Jesus Christ.” Katie huffed, her own hands rising to her hips. She lowered her head and stared at the black and white tile floor of her kitchen. Memories of the conversation she’d been having with Levi came flashing back through her mind. A part of her was grateful, relieved even, that Cassie had interrupted them. Katie wasn’t sure exactly what Levi was about to say to her next, but whatever it was, with the stern and serious expression he’d had on his face, she wasn’t entirely sure that it was a good thing.

I don’t think I can take any more heartbreak or rejection from him.

“So, what the fuck was going on when I came in, Kate?” Cassie asked, using a swear word that Katie didn’t often hear from her. Cassie had stopped swearing as much as she had when they were younger once she started having kids. For the most part that habit had rubbed off on Katie, though whenever Kevin, Cassie, and the kids weren’t around she cursed as much as she could. As if she were preparing herself for the times she wouldn’t be able to around them.

“Cassie!” Katie gasped.

“Don’t you “Cassie!” me,” Cassie mocked friendly. She shook her head. “I have let you get away for far too long without talking about this. Texting or emailing about it so often isn’t the same as laying all the cards on the table, Kate. You can’t lie to me so easy when you’re looking me in my eyes. Now, what’s going on with you and Levi?”

Katie sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. She knew that Cassie was serious and not playing around with her anymore. Cassie only ever called her “Kate” when she was trying to inject sincerity in their conversations. Katie used “Cass” to do the same thing.

“Levi is here because apparently I have been heard on some FBI chatter in connection to a drug cartel. I did some work for the girlfriends of one of the head dealers and they’ve supposedly been discussing me as if they want to have me on their payroll.” She sighed when she heard Cassie gasp. Nodding, she continued. “So, I think he initially came over to make sure I wasn’t actually involved. Then he wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t get involved. And finally, he wanted to stick around to protect me.” Katie lifted her head to stare at her best friend. “That’s all that happened, Cass. I promise.”

Cassie narrowed her eyes at Katie for a long moment before she nodded. “So, you haven’t told him then?”

Katie sighed and shook her head. “Why would I do that, Cass? You know how he feels even more than I do. You and Kev hang out with him more me, and I’m sure you’ve heard him and my brother talk about me before. Even if that wasn’t true, I’ve told you what I’ve overheard him and Kevin say when it comes to me.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “It doesn’t make a difference how I feel or what I say, nothing’s ever going to change.”

Cassie blew out a long breath and pressed her hand against her belly. Katie stepped toward the other woman, concerned, but stopped when Cassie merely lifted her hand.

“Morning sickness, that’s all. I’ll be fine. Just give me a minute,” she muttered. Katie nodded but still watched Cassie closely. While Cassie would never say anything to Kevin, Katie knew what the doctor had told the stubborn woman the last time she’d gone in for a checkup. Cassie’s body was taking a toll with each child that she had. The doctors were concerned about what she was putting her body through and had warned her that if she got pregnant again, she would be in danger of being put on bedrest, or something even worse.

“Did you tell Kevin?” Katie asked.

Cassie lifted her head and stared at her unblinking. “Why would I do that, Katie? I’m fine. This baby is fine. Everything is fine.”

Katie sighed and stepped close to Cassie. “You know as well as I do what that doctor told you.”

Cassie reached out and held Katie’s hand. “And you know just as I do that doctors will tell you anything and everything to make you scared and have you asking for medication, or asking to be admitted, or some other such nonsense. I’m fine, Katie-Bug,” Cassie said with a grin and a wink. “Besides, don’t think I forgot what we were talking about just because this child decided to torment Mommy.” She wagged a finger in Katie’s face. “I do know all about Kevin and Levi’s pact when it comes to you. I also know what Levi has told your brother, versus what he’s told me.”

Katie felt surprise surge through her and she opened her mouth to ask Cassie what Levi had said to her, but Cassie’s finger on her lips cut her off.

“And no, I’m not telling you. I made a promise. But I will tell you this: you need to talk to him. As soon as possible. Believe me, you won’t regret it.” She gave Katie a slow smiled. “Maybe at your company’s Christmas party tonight? I mean, you said he’s going to protect you from this idiot drug dealer, right?”

Katie nodded, and Cassie laughed, clapping her hands in excitement.

“Perfect. Tell him tonight. I know your lives will never be the same when you do.”