Chapter 51
Kate
After their time on the island, in the weeks before Eric and Ginny’s wedding, Kate hardly saw Grant. He was really throwing himself into the sales role. Even when she was in town, he was flying back and forth to either the eastern coast of Africa or Europe.
“I don’t know what he thinks he’s doing,” Walter said as they boarded the plane to go to yet another meeting. “You can’t compete with the Chinese over there.”
“Maybe he has a plan,” Kate mused.
She didn’t have the energy to worry about Grant’s situation. She was busy with her executive assistant duties and trying to avoid Alan. He would text her multiple times throughout the day, and hoping to cut down on the texts, she finally wrote him.
I’m out of the country and will only be getting messages sporadically.
I’ve given Alan enough money to keep him afloat for a little while, she decided, hoping that would keep him from outing her to the world.
As they deplaned in Singapore, Walter asked, “Could you find some more information on what Grant is up to?”
“I’m trying, but he’s being cagey,” she said then thanked the driver as he helped her with her bags. In the car on the way to the hotel, she texted Grant again. If she didn’t know any better, she would think Grant was avoiding her.
This is what you said you wanted, isn’t it? she asked herself while lying on her bed in the hotel room, continuously refreshing her phone, hoping for something from Grant.
She had to admit to herself that she actually did want a more meaningful relationship with Grant—it wasn’t just lust, and the only reason she couldn’t have him was Alan. Well, Alan and her job.
I could quit my job, she mused, I could probably land another executive assistant job. Her phone buzzed as she received yet another text from Alan, and her heart sank.
I need to see you
Never mind, she thought as she deleted his message. This will never work.
Hoping to distract herself, she texted with Ginny and helped her make a few last-minute decisions on the wedding. Scrolling through pictures of flowers and decorations, she let herself daydream about what a wedding with Grant would look like. If only Alan would go away.
Why did he have to choose now to show up? she thought. It’s like as soon as Grant came into the picture, Alan had to show up to ruin everything.
Her phone buzzed, and her heart raced until she saw it was a text from Ginny with more wedding images. Kate loved weddings, but she was feeling a little envious of Ginny and Eric. How come her life couldn’t be that perfect?
A few weeks later, she met Ginny for drinks in London.
“I can’t believe you’re in Europe,” Kate said as the bartender set down their craft cocktails, “and your wedding is in a few weeks.”
“I still have a job,” Ginny replied with a laugh. “I’m here for a dog-grooming conference. Also because it’s London. We still need to find you a dress, so drink up because that’s next on the agenda.”
Kate grimaced. She had meant to find a dress the last time she was in New York City but had had to turn right around and board another plane.
“Nothing between you and Grant?” Ginny asked, taking a sip of her drink. “I heard he’s doing a bit of flying back and forth to Europe himself. No clandestine hotel meet-ups in Copenhagen?”
“I haven’t been able to catch up with him,” she said. “He’s being really secretive.”
“Brandy’s tightening the noose on him, so she claims,” Ginny warned. “You better go after him.”
“Maybe I should let it go,” Kate said, tracing her finger through the condensation left on the tabletop. “I don’t know if we would even be right for each other.”
“You haven’t even given him a chance! Let him wine and dine you, and then let him slide on into home base, or has he already done that?” Ginny asked mischievously as a blush crept up Kate’s face.
“How was it?” Ginny asked, leaning forward. “Amazing?”
“Yes,” Kate admitted.
“When did it happen?”
“When didn’t it?”
“Ooh, so you’re firmly in the steady-hookup category.”
“Probably not the place you want to be,” Kate said with a frown.
“Nonsense,” Ginny said. “Now that he’s had a taste, he knows what he likes. Give him the first hit for free, then upcharge him once he’s addicted.”
“I don’t know if he’s addicted,” Kate said, finishing off the rest of her drink.
“If he’s had his way with you that many times, then yes, he is,” Ginny countered. “You need to reel him in before he switches to a lesser version.”