Page 7

Kat

T he wedding rehearsal went off without a hitch, thankfully. The dinner afterward at Mission Point Bistro on the Green was a fun affair full of laughter and love.

Caught up in the whirlwind of maid of honor and best man duties, Owen and I had no opportunity to discuss what had transpired at the flower shop. That was both good and bad. The conversation was inevitable, but I couldn't help but dread the possibility of him deeming it a mistake.

The best kiss of my life was a moment I would cherish forever. It was no mistake; it was pure magic.

Standing a little away from the noisy crowd, I was savoring my champagne and a moment of solitude when I suddenly sensed him. It was as if there was a visceral phenomenon, a primal awareness that echoed in my bones, letting me know whenever he was near.

“Hey, Kit.” The breathy whisper of that nickname against my ear sent a wave of goosebumps across my skin. “You doing okay?”

“I am,” I declared confidently, leaving no room for doubt.

“Good.” He stood behind me and slightly to the left.

His touch was light, but it sent a shiver down my arm as his fingers slid across my skin and down my arm, and when our fingers finally met, it was a silent promise of something more.

“I missed you tonight,” he said, his lips brushing against my temple, and the words sent a surge of warmth through me.

It was the confirmation I needed, and the tension that had been holding my breath captive finally released, allowing a full breath of air to fill my lungs for the first time since the electric kiss we shared in the flower shop.

“Me too,” I admitted.

“Good.” I took another sip of the crisp, cold champagne, savoring the taste as I rested against his strong chest. “I realize we need to have a conversation, but I wanted to make sure you know how much I want this.”

“Thank God.”

“So, we’re doing this?”

“I certainly hope so.”

“You know I need to have a talk with your brother first, right?” Although I didn’t like it, I understood why he felt it was necessary.

Even so, I felt compelled to make it clear that whatever Todd's thoughts were about us, it wouldn't change my feelings for Owen. “Why? He’s not the keeper of me.”

“I know. But I feel like I owe him an explanation.” Something in my expression must have conveyed to him that I was worried because he continued.

And what he said burrowed deep into my heart and found a home there.

“He can give me hell, but it won’t change anything.

I’ve known since I was twelve years old that you were supposed to be mine.

I knew that day when I’d missed your birthday.

I’d never felt so rotten. I’d let you down, and that tore me apart.

The way I felt that day, it made me realize that you were more than just my best friend's little sister; you were something special.”

“I thought I was just Kit the Nitwit to you?” My voice was choked with uncertainty, my mind battling to believe the words that were coming out of his mouth yet wishing with all my soul they were heartfelt.

Because he was pressed close to me, I felt his response to my hushed pronouncement. He grew tense, then, with a swift movement, he turned me so that I was facing him. “What are you talking about?”

As the realization that I had let those words linger in my mind for so long, and their impact on me, washed over me, I felt a wave of self-doubt and embarrassment.

I looked away, unable to meet his eyes, consumed by a sense of my own stupidity.

His fingers caught my chin, and with a gentle lift, he forced my head up, compelling me to look into his eyes.

His silence was deafening, his piercing gaze demanding an explanation without a single word uttered.

“I overheard you talking to Todd years ago. He was complaining about his bratty sister because our parents wanted you guys to take me with you to the movies. He didn’t want me tagging along because he wanted to meet up with some girl.

You made it sound like ditching Kit the Nitwit while the movie was playing would be a piece of cake. ”

Owen's face contorted with frustration, his brow furrowing as deep lines etched themselves onto his forehead, and he shook his head vehemently, silently conveying a resolute denial. “I never once thought those words, let alone said them out loud.”

“But I heard―”

“Oh shit,” he hissed, his frustration evident as he raked his hand through his hair. “Scott.” The venom in his voice as he spat the name out left me momentarily stunned.

“What about him?”

“He used to call you that all the time. He deliberately used my nickname for you to get under my skin.”

“What a dick,” I spat.

“He’s definitely that.”

“Why are we friends with him?”

“We’re not, but we have to pretend to be because of our parents,” he stated.

I think it was time to have a talk with my parents about our frenemies. “I always thought you’d said that.”

His hands were rough and calloused, but warm as he cupped my face, the heat radiating from his palms spreading through me like a comforting wave. “I would never.”

His eyes, clear and open, held nothing but sincerity. “I believe you.”

His deep blue eyes held mine, then drifted down to my lips, causing my tongue to instinctively dart out to moisten them. The intensity of his gaze heightened, his expression shifting to a palpable heat. I was so on board with another scorching hot kiss.

My intentions were thwarted, though, because a voice unexpectedly hailed me. “Kat!” Tria yelled. “I need you.”

I jerked back as if I’d been caught doing something I shouldn’t. Owen's smirk was directed at me, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Oh, shut up,” I muttered under my breath, my face burning as I realized I had likely just made a fool of myself acting so wantonly.

He let me off the hook when he promised, “Later.” That one word, said in his rich and rough voice, made my lady bits tingle. The fact that he was in a suit, sans tie, with his shirt open just enough at the top to reveal a bit of skin only made it hotter. “Now, go see what the bride wants.

With one last, lingering look at him over my shoulder, I went to find my best friend, who quickly pulled me inside to the bathroom.

“Oh, my God. It’s happening, isn’t it?” Tria exclaimed.

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, my God. Ohmygod. Omigod.” Her level of excitement rose with each word. “It is! I can’t believe it.”

“Jeez, Tria. Would you calm down? What are you babbling about?”

“You and Owen. Finally!” The heat of a blush hit my cheeks instantly and she noticed. “It’s really happening. Oh, my God,” she squealed.

“Tria,” I said, trying to contain my friend’s enthusiasm.

“Have you kissed yet?” My face grew hotter. “Oh, my God. You have!”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to. I’m your best friend. I can read you like a book. Your face says everything. How was it?” Jeez. At this point, I may as well paint the rest of my body to match my face. “Yeah, girl. I can tell it was hot.”

“Would you stop?” I loved Tria like a sister, but sometimes her excitement for all things sex related was a little over the top.

“So, what does this mean? Are you guys together? Are you going to sleep with him?”

“Why is everything always about sex with you?” I grumbled.

“Because sex rules when it’s with the right man.”

I cringed. I didn’t want to think about the type of sex she was having with my brother. The fact that she’d already shared some details about how generous of a lover he was still made my skin crawl.

I decided to ignore the sex question and focused on the others. “We haven’t really talked about what it all means yet. I just know he wants to be with me as much as I do.”

Another high-pitched squeal echoed throughout the bathroom.

“Fuck, woman,” Stephanie cried, rubbing an ear with a wince as she walked into the bathroom. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

The other woman’s presence was like a storm cloud, instantly darkening Tria’s mood and chilling the air around us. It was like a physical weight, and I hated to see her so affected. No one should have to endure Stephanie Chambers as a member of their wedding party. “None of your business.”

Stephanie rolled her eyes, then turned to me.

“You looked pretty friendly with Owen out there.” I didn’t take the bait.

Stephanie reveled in stirring up trouble, but I was just as committed to staying calm and refusing to engage with her.

It seems that he doesn't view you as Kit the Nitwit when you’re in his bed. ”

“Shut up, Stephanie. Stop being so crude,” Tria defended.

“Did I say something wrong? Haven’t you just been Kit the Nitwit all these years to him?

” After the conversation we just had, I wasn’t going to let that stupid rhyme get to me.

Owen had never said those words. Furthermore, he’d never viewed me as anything of the like.

I should have known that from the beginning.

I couldn’t believe I’d mistaken Scott’s voice for his.

“Tell me,” Stephanie continued, undeterred. “Does he have to cover your face to be with you? I can’t imagine how he can stand looking at that face while he fucks you.”

Yup. That was Stephanie for you. Mean to the core. Some might even say rotten.

“Get out, bitch,” Tria seethed on my behalf. But I was done letting words hurt me. Stephanie was just a bitter girl who could only make herself feel better by tearing other people down.

“Seeing how hideous you are,” she sneered inclining her head toward Tria. “Maybe you could share with her Todd’s trick for getting it up for you.”

“Jesus, you’re so childish.”

“Seriously though. What does either man see in you two losers?”

“Come on, Kat,” Tria said, pulling on my arm. “Let’s get back to our men. I’m tired of her harshing my mood.”

But before I left, I had a few words to get off my chest. “It makes me so sad to know your life goal is to tear other people down. It must be exhausting. You possess both stunning beauty and remarkable intelligence, which could make you a truly exceptional woman. But time and time again, you opt to behave in a distasteful and unattractive manner. I feel sorry for you.”

I paused, my eyes fixed on Stephanie, to see if my words had made any impact. Her eyes blazed with a fiery anger that was directed squarely at me. No matter how kindly I spoke to her, she would never change. Her heart remained as dark and unyielding as ever.

There was only one thing left to say. “From this moment on, I want you to know that I will forget you. Your words are just empty air, and they will never again touch my soul.”

With that, I turned and walked out of the restroom, Tria on my heels. The negative words that had held me captive, whispering doubts and fears, were finally losing their grip. I was ready to let them go.

I was no longer Kit the Nitwit. I was now Kat the Badass.

Okay. That didn’t rhyme as well. But it worked for me. I was badass. And tonight I was going to take what I wanted.