Page 74 of Champagne & Handcuffs

I stared at the sun shining through the cracks, and a sense of relief washed over me. I was safe. I wasn’t in the windowless warehouse that I’d been in. I was in Seth’s bed. I was with the man who’d always made me feel safe from the moment I’d met him.

“Catherine!” Dad bellowed. “Are you okay? What happened?”

I sighed. “I don’t want to tell you over the phone.”

“Are you hurt? Why didn’t you call?”

“Stuff happened, but I’m okay now. I’m with Joss and Seth.”

“Good.”

“I just wanted to call and tell you that I was fine, and sorry it took me a few days to call you. My phone was stolen.”

“We’ve all been worried sick.”

“I figured, and I’m sorry.”

“I’ll figure out your patients with Corinna and Kelly. You just come home, okay?”

I bobbed my head. “I will soon.”

“I love you, Ruthie.”

I smiled at the nickname my father had given me when I was a kid because I loved the candy barBaby Ruth. It was to the point where I’d steal his change from his change jar and ride my bike down the street to the gas station every day so I could eat one. “Love you too, Daddy.”

I set the phone down on the nightstand as Seth walked in carrying a tray with plates of food and coffee. I needed to jump onFacebookand message Hannah and Nathan because I had no idea what their numbers were. I’d always had them in my phone. I was lucky I knew my office number, and that was only because my dad had worked from that office practically my entire life. Though I guess I could haveGoogledit if need be.

“Paul made breakfast. I guess he does that every morning.” Seth smiled and handed me a plate.

“That’s nice of him.” I looked down at the plate full of bacon, over easy eggs, toast and coffee.

Seth sat next to me, and we both propped ourselves against the headboard. I didn’t even remember the last time I’d eaten. I guess it was breakfast with Seth before my nightmare.

“Joss went to get you some clothes.”

“Okay.” I took a small bite of the toast.

“I’m going in to finish what needs to be done with the case. Joss said she’d call Autumn and you guys can go get coffee or something when she gets back.”

“Wait.” I looked over at him. “Does she know we slept in the same bed last night?”

Seth stopped moving his fork full of egg to his mouth then set it on his plate. “She knows more than that.”

“She does?” My eyes widened.

He sighed. “I’m sorry, Kitty Cat, but after everything that went down, I told her about us last night.”

I stared into his emerald eyes for a few moments. “How did she take it?” I thought I’d be upset that he told her without me, but I was relieved. Relieved that it was out and we didn’t have to hide our relationship any longer.

“She took it much better than I thought she would. It was as though she didn’t care. In fact, she scolded me for going on a date with Annie. She thought I was playing you.”

“So, she’s cool with us dating?”

“Pretty sure she’s cool with it.”

I took a few more bites of my food. “You told her that it started years ago?”

“Yep.”