Chapter 2

 

Cat shut her car door and crossed the street. Already, people filled half the chairs lined up on the town common. It appeared as if the entire town planned to attend Maureen O’Brien and Ray Larson’s wedding, not that she expected anything else. Actually, she would’ve been shocked if anyone in North Salem missed the wedding today. It had been the talk of the town since the two announced their engagement that summer.

“Catrina,” her mom called out to her.

Cat looked around the crowd one more time, hoping to see one particular dark-haired man, but when she didn’t spot Tony, she walked toward her mom. He had left her apartment early that morning and said he’d see her at the wedding. While they couldn’t go together, they could have a dance or two at the reception. Of course, that also meant he could and, most likely would, dance with a few other women too.

She shouldn’t care if he danced with every single woman in North Salem, and it wasn’t like she couldn’t spend time with whomever she wanted. In fact, she suspected that both Conner and Jimmy would ask her to dance this evening.

She’d graduated high school with both men. While neither had asked her on a date, Conner had asked if she’d be here today when she bumped into him at Peggy Sue’s. Jimmy had called her earlier that week and left a message.

She liked both men and suspected they’d both make good boyfriends. If either asked her out, she should say yes, but she knew she never would. She couldn’t date either of them and see Tony at the same time. Maybe if they asked once Tony moved on, she’d reconsider, but for now, she wasn’t ready to give up her time with Tony.

And he would move on. Tony was predictable when it came to relationships. He never stayed with one woman for too long. Truthfully, it surprised her he hadn’t already gone searching for her replacement.

They’d been together now for two months, although she used the word “together” loosely. She couldn’t remember any of Tony’s past relationships lasting much longer than that.

A brief pang of sadness had her taking a deep breath. No point in worrying about it.

He was not the settling down type. She knew that from the beginning. Besides, right now she wasn’t looking for the one. She wanted a little fun— nothing else. Tony was the perfect guy for that.

“You look beautiful today, honey,” her mom said as she hugged her.

Cat kissed her mom’s cheek and returned the hug. “Thanks. So do you. Is that a new dress?”

“It is. Patty and I went shopping together.”

At the mention of Tony’s mom, Cat made a quick glance around again for him, but she only spotted his mother and older sister Andrea standing together.

“We went shopping for her upcoming cruise, and I saw this. It looked perfect for today.” Her mom waved at Mrs. Bates across the grass. “I’m going to say hello to Patty. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Cat watched her mom walk away and then saw her brother heading her direction.

“All alone?” she asked.

“No, Ella stopped to talk to Jessie. She’ll be over soon.”

Cat looked at where her close friend Ella Bridge stood with another of their friends, Jessica Quinn.

“Do you mean my friend Ella?” She loved Striker, but when it came to relationships and women, he was far from perfect. Not to mention, they’d never dated each other’s friends. Well, at least not as far as either of them knew. If Striker ever found out about her and Tony, he’d flip.

“She’s the only person standing next to Jessie.”

Cat considered her next words. Her friend was able to make her own decisions; still, she didn’t want her brother hurting Ella either.

“I didn’t know you were seeing her. When did that happen?” When she talked to Ella last week, she hadn’t said a thing.

“I stopped to help her change a tire last week, and we got to talking. This is our first date.” Striker leaned closer, so he could whisper in her ear. “Don’t worry, I won’t drag her into a supply closet at the reception and tear her clothes off.”

“Never said you would.”

“But you were thinking it,” he said just before Ella joined them.

“Hi, Cat.” Ella avoided Cat’s eyes when she spoke. “I think they’re about ready to start. Mr. Bates is coming this way.”

Cat glanced across the green and watched Tony and his dad, the town administrator as well as a justice of the peace, as they walked together. Today, both men wore dark suits, and for perhaps the first time, she noticed the strong family resemblance between father and son. Both men were a little over six feet with dark brown hair, although Tony’s father’s contained a fair about of gray. Tony’s face wasn’t quite as angular as his father’s, but they both had strong jaw lines and light eyes. While she knew for a fact that Tony’s were light brown, she couldn’t tell exactly what shade his father’s were. Regardless of the minor differences, looking at Mr. Bates was a lot like looking at an older version of Tony.

For half a heartbeat, Tony met her eyes, and the corners of his mouth went up. Then, before she could return the gesture, he winked at her.

“Surprised Tony is alone today.” Striker waved in Tony’s direction.

The memory of Tony kissing her early that morning had started to form, but her brother’s voice chased it away. “No one says you need a date for a wedding. I’m here alone too.”

Striker cocked an eyebrow at her. “This is Tony we’re talking about, Trina. The guy is never without a woman. Hell, last Saturday, the game hadn’t even ended yet and he was setting up his fun for the night.”

She fidgeted from one foot to the other. Striker must be referring to the text messages between her and Tony near the end of the game.

“Are you okay, Cat? You look a little flushed,” Ella asked, real concern evident in her voice.

“Just a little dizzy. I didn’t have time for breakfast this morning.”

“Let’s sit. There are some empty seats behind Mack and Jessie,” Striker said, sounding a little concerned too.

Her brother could be the biggest pain in the behind, but he was a good big brother. He always had been.

Cat walked alongside Striker and Ella as they headed for the row behind Mack and Jessie. She knew her brother’s best friend Mack Ellsbury and Jessie were dating, but today was the first time she’d seen them together.

Ella leaned closer to her once they sat and asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Positive. I shouldn’t have skipped breakfast today, but I was in a rush.”

Ella accepted her answer and fell into a conversation with Striker. Like so often happened these days, Cat’s thoughts went back to Tony, who said something to his father before taking a seat next to Sean’s girlfriend.

As he joked and chatted with the Hollywood movie star, Cat wished she could swap seats with the woman. If she moved now, someone would notice, and she didn’t have a good reason to change seats. For now, she’d have to settle for looking at him, an activity she always found enjoyable. She suspected she wasn’t the only one. In her opinion, the only other two men in the crowd who could give Tony any competition in the looks department were Jake Sherbrooke, Sean’s brother-in-law, and Mack.

Up front, Tony ran a hand through his hair, and Cat’s fingers itched to do the same. He had the softest hair. Actually, he had hair most women would kill for. It was not only soft, but also thick with a slight curl when it got a little on the long side. She loved running her fingers through it as they watched television or cuddled in bed.

“Are you doing better now?” Striker paused in his conversation with Mack.

Cat looked away from Tony and Mia just as Mia touched his arm and laughed. Oh, if she could only switch seats with her.

“Fine, Striker. Really.”

The start of music saved Cat from further conversation regarding her physical state.

“Charlie looks beautiful today,” Ella said softly as Maureen’s daughter and Matron of Honor started down the aisle.

“She does.”

Once Charlie reached Ray Larson and his brother, the music changed.

Cat’s jaw hit the ground when she saw Sean O’Brien start down the aisle with his mom. She’d never seen the guy in anything but jeans and T-shirts.

“Oh, my God. Check out Sean in that tux.” While no one would ever call Sean drop-dead gorgeous, he looked fabulous today. She could see how Mia, or any other woman for that matter, would be attracted to him.

“Wow. I’ve never seen him so dressed up. He looks so different.” Ella sounded equally as surprised.

“He’s probably counting down the minutes until he can change,” Striker said.

Cat didn’t doubt it.

Despite any discomfort Sean may be feeling, he smiled at his mom as he left her standing with Ray Larson. Then he took a seat next to Mia.

Up front, Joseph Bates started the ceremony. Rather than watch the vows be exchanged, Cat watched Tony. Perhaps sensing her stare, he glanced back and smiled. Thankfully, there were enough people around her that no one would ever know he’d been smiling at her. Even still, she looked away quickly and wondered how early they could each leave today’s reception without drawing any attention.

 

***

 

“Congratulations.” Tony hugged Sean’s mom, a woman he’d known all his life. Growing up, he’d spent more time at the O’Brien house than his own. “You look beautiful today, Mrs. O’— sorry, Mrs. Larson.” It was going to be awhile before he got used to calling her that.

Maureen kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Tony. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it.” It was the truth. Sean’s mom had always treated him like a second son. He loved the woman.

Tony shook hands with Ray before heading to the bar. So far that afternoon, he’d watched Cat dance with his buddy Steve Douglas and Brendan Michaels. He knew he had nothing to worry about from either man. Steve had been in an on again/off again relationship with Megan Holton for years. Right now, they were in one of their off again patterns, but he saw them leave together ten minutes ago, so he assumed that was about to change. As for Brendan, well, no one liked the guy. Cat being Cat, however, wouldn’t have been able to say no when he asked for a dance. That was just who she was.

Tony watched the dance floor as he placed his drink order. The popular dance hit currently being played by the band was ending, and he suspected Gage Larson and his band would launch into another slow ballad.

“Here you go, Tony,” the bartender said, handing him a martini.

“Thanks, Oliver.” Tony nodded, but didn’t look in the bartender’s direction. His eyes were too focused on Jimmy Gomez who, at the moment, was leading Cat onto the dance floor.

Laughing at something Jimmy said, Cat put her hands on his shoulders, and they moved in time to the music.

Jimmy had graduated with Cat and still lived in North Salem; that was all Tony really knew of him. Were Cat and Jimmy friends? The way she kept smiling and talking to the guy, it appeared that way. Did she view him as a potential boyfriend?

He didn’t know anything about Jimmy’s romantic life, but since he’d arrived at the reception alone, Tony assumed the guy was single. Judging by the way he looked at Cat now, he wanted more than just a single dance with her.

Actually, Jimmy wasn’t the only guy who’d looked at Cat tonight, and he knew because he’d been watching her all night too.

When he’d talked to Conner Cahill earlier, the guy hadn’t been able to take his eyes off Cat at the nearby table.

He sipped his drink and watched Jimmy’s hand slide just below Cat’s waist as he pulled her closer. Immediately, Tony took a step forward, his gut telling him to let Jimmy and everyone else know Cat wasn’t available.

“Hey, Tony.”

Sean’s voice kept him from moving any more.

Gulping his drink, he hoped it would dislodge the frustration growing in his chest.

It didn’t help.

“Did Charlie blackmail you so you’d get on the dance floor and dance with her?”

“She called in Mia as a reinforcement,” Sean admitted, sounding annoyed. “Haven’t seen you out there with anyone tonight. What’s that about?”

Usually, at an event where dancing was involved, he spent much of the time with a woman in his arms. If he knew what was good for him, he’d pull someone onto the dance floor now.

“Not feeling it tonight.” Tony took another swig from his drink.

“Whatever you say. If you get bored by yourself, come and sit with us.” Sean clapped him on the shoulder and turned his attention to the bartender.

With Sean occupied, Tony looked back at Cat and Jimmy. The song had ended, but Jimmy kept a hand on her waist as he walked her back to her seat. Tony didn’t stop and consider his next move. Instead, he crossed the room.

“I’ll talk to you later,” Cat told Jimmy as Tony approached.

Jimmy’s lips parted, about to respond, but Tony didn’t give him a chance.

“You forgot about me, didn’t you?” Before Cat responded, he looked in Jimmy’s direction. “She promised me a dance, but I haven’t seen her since the ceremony.” Tony grabbed Cat’s hand as he spoke. “Sounds like the band is starting up again. What do you say?”

Cat squeezed his hand, but looked at Jimmy. “I did promise him a dance when I saw he came alone.”

“No problem. I’ll call you soon, Cat,” Jimmy said.

It took some effort to swallow down the words on his tongue in response to Jimmy’s statement, but he managed it.

In silence, he led them to an empty spot on the dance floor and pulled Cat as close as he assumed appropriate for the setting.

“What’s the matter, Tony?” Her fingers moved against his neck. “You look mad.”

“I’m fine.” Fine if wanting to rip someone’s head off was fine.

“Are you sure?”

The concern in her voice had him mentally cursing. He didn’t want her digging too deep into his feelings tonight. He didn’t even want to dig too deep into them.

“Positive.”

“Mrs. O’Brien looked so happy today. It’s going to be awhile before I remember to call her Mrs. Larson instead.”

Cat stepped closer, her chest brushing against his. If he lowered his head an inch or two, he could kiss her. While it didn’t appear as if anyone was watching them, he couldn’t take the chance.

“You’re not the only one with that problem. Already tonight, I started to call her Mrs. O’Brien before I caught myself. We’ll all get used to it.”

“Did you see Sean dancing with Charlie earlier?” Cat asked. “He looked miserable.”

“Sean hates dancing. Mia and Charlie ganged up on him.”

“I had a feeling it was something like that.” Cat glanced around before she smiled at him. “I’ve missed you,” she said in a softer voice.

“Could’ve fooled me,” Tony muttered under his breath before he could bite back the words.

Cat’s fingers stopped caressing his neck. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Fuck. How had he let that escape? Now it was out there, and he couldn’t take it back. “Nothing, Cat.”

Without warning, she stepped out of his embrace and headed for the nearest exit. Thankfully, at the same time, Gage Larson finished up his current song and couples exited the dance floor. Tony checked to see who might be watching before he followed Cat out the side entrance.

She waited for him in the hallway. Grabbing him by the hand, she led him down an empty hallway and into the dark coat-check room, closing the door behind them.

“Let’s try again, Tony. What did you mean?”

The unfamiliar jealousy he’d struggled with much of the night clashed with the frustration building inside him. Women didn’t breach his emotional wall, or at least not anymore. Somehow though, Cat managed to put a big crack in it tonight.

“You’ve looked perfectly content all night.” Christ, he sounded like a jealous boyfriend.

Cat’s mouth dropped open, and she blinked. “You’re mad because I was dancing? What did you want me to do when they asked?”

He was entering dangerous territory here, and he knew it. Unfortunately, all the warning bells in his head couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

“Say no. Did you see me dancing with anyone?”

“I couldn’t say no to everyone and then dance with you.” She touched his cheek. “If it makes you feel better, I didn’t want to dance with them.”

Cat moved closer and their bodies touched. “Why don’t I go now and you leave in ten minutes. We’ll meet back at my place.” Her free hand slipped down his chest toward his tie. “You can spend the night.”

A more powerful emotion, which he didn’t want to label, pushed his jealousy aside.

“I have no plans for tomorrow. We can spend the day together.” She kissed him before he answered.

He moved, trapping Cat between him and the wall, not caring that at any moment someone could walk in on them. After watching her from afar all day, he could touch her again. Grabbing the collar of her dress, he pulled it off one shoulder then kissed his way down her neck.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly against him. “So is that a yes?”

“What do you think?” Unable to stop himself, he ran a hand over her breast and smiled when her nipple pebbled beneath the fabric.

She took in a deep breath and then grabbed the hand covering her breast. “I think we better go now before someone finds us.”

She’s right. His head tried to get the message to the rest of his body, but the connections just weren’t working tonight. “They’re not using this room tonight. No one will find us.” Tony kissed her collarbone, and she used her hands to force his head up. Then she covered his mouth with hers.

As the reins of control snapped, he pulled at the bottom of her dress until it cleared the top of her thighs. When she gave no sign that he should stop, he reached out and touched her.

“I’ve been thinking about you all day, Tony.”

He couldn’t see her face, but he could imagine her expression.

Her hands moved down his stomach to his belt buckle. “This is crazy,” she said as she undid his pants.

He stroked her again and smiled at her sharp intake of breath. “Do you want me to stop?” Please don’t say yes.

Warm soft skin wrapped around him as she pulled him free from his underwear. “What do you think?”

A sliver of light streamed into the dark room and Tony froze.

“Gram, that’s not the ladies room. See the sign next to the door? The ladies room is down this way.” A female voice, which sounded familiar, floated into the room.

The light disappeared, and he heard the click as the door closed again. Take about a close call. “Leave first.” He tugged Cat’s dress back down before putting himself back together. “I’ll meet you at your place.”

Cat pressed her lips against his giving him a hint of what he had to look forward to tonight and left.