Page 59 of Storm Warning
The memory of that blonde’s smug smile burned in Kate’s mind like acid, each painful detail replaying as she tried to gather her thoughts amidst the storm of emotions churning within her.
“Jessa. No, she was talking to Walter, the bartender. I was right there and heard it all.” Her voice came out thin, stretched tight.
“Okay, how did Walter react? Bartenders know everything. He must know you’re staying in Nick’s guest suite, at least.”
“Yeah, he does. He served me at Tiki Beach the other day.” Kate took a deep breath, her lungs expanding against the constriction in her chest as she replayed last night in her mind, anxiety and confusion flooding through her veins like ice water. “Actually, he looked concerned. He kept glancing at me, like he sensed something was off. I'm sure he’s heard the rumors about Nick and me being a couple.”
“And he didn’t know this Jessa?”
Kate searched her memory for Walter’s expression, the lines of bewilderment on his weathered face. “No, I don’t think so. He didn’t act familiar with her at all.”
“Okay, so what happened next? That brings us to this morning, right?”
“Yes.” She let out a shaky breath, remembering the endlesshours of staring at the ceiling in the darkness, sleep a distant impossibility. “I got up at dawn and went to the beach, hoping to clear my head. Instead, the same thoughts went round and round like a carousel. Nick always seemed so sincere, so genuine, yet Jessa was so adamant. She didn’t know me, didn’t know I’d care about what she said to Walter. Why would she lie?” Confusion and doubt twisted through her gut like broken glass.
“You’re right. Your relationship isn’t public, even if the staff are gossiping about you staying in his suite. Tell me again about when you talked to Nick this morning. What exactly did he say?”
Kate furrowed her brows, trying to pull the memory into focus through the fog of pain. “He denied it all. Said he didn’t know what I was talking about, and that he’d never been engaged. Or even serious about anyone.” She took a deep breath, the air stuttering in her lungs. “He said he cared for me and asked for a chance to prove it. But I can’t get past Jessa’s presence. She obviously thinks they have a serious relationship.”
“Hmm. I don’t know what to say, Kate. I haven’t met them, so I can only go by what you have said. It sounds like he was surprised, but he could have been surprised that you found out about Jessa.”
Callie’s voice dropped a little, genuine sorrow threading through her words. “I’m sorry, Kate. I know how much you liked him. I really wanted this to work for you. And maybe it still will. Maybe this is all a mistake of some kind. Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Nick some more and get more definite answers? Give him the chance he asked for?”
Kate’s aching heart answered for her. “I don’t think so.” The words came out flat, heavy, each syllable weighing a thousand pounds. Would an answer this morning have made a difference?Her thoughts raced, swirling around like leaves caught in a restless wind, never settling, never giving her peace. “I don’t see a solution here.”
A familiar ache of loneliness settled in, hollow and echoing. “Anyway, I need to go. I need to write.”
“Okay, hon. We’ll talk later. Call whenever.”
As Kate hung up, silence enveloped her, thick and suffocating like a shroud. She turned toward the window, a film of tears threatened to spill over, blurring the outside world. The palm trees and blue sky melted into watercolor smears. She had known this would happen. Deep down, she had always known it. She’s just not enough. She’s never enough.
The thought stabbed through her like a knife, sharp and familiar, an old wound reopened.
Her breath hitched as tears welled in her eyes again, burning hot behind her lids before spilling over to trace paths down her already tear-stained cheeks.
Chapter 31
Interference
Kate slammedher pen down on the desk. What was wrong with her? Just last week, the words had flowed easily, but now they refused to come, stuck like a traffic jam in her mind. She huffed. It was Nick’s fault, of course. Since leaving him on the beach yesterday morning, her thoughts spun in circles, going nowhere. Maybe it was time to go home. The idea twisted something in her; she loved it here, with all its warmth and light.
A soft knock interrupted her. “Good afternoon, Kate. I do not want to interrupt your work, but I have not seen you take a break, so I thought I would come find you.” Marguerite’s voice drifted in from the pergola outside the open French doors.
Kate forced a smile, pushing aside her emotions. It wasn’t Marguerite’s fault Nick had been such an ass. “It's fine, Marguerite. I'm not getting much done anyhow.”
She stood and walked to the door, the cool breeze brushing against her skin, a sharp contrast to the frustration bubbling inside her.
“Would you like to sit?” she offered, her voice a little shaky as she moved toward the swing seat—the very place Nickfirst kissed her. Memories flooded in, and her throat tightened. She could still taste the warmth of his lips, feel the heat of his body. The swing creaked as she sat down, dispelling the memories.
“Yes, bébé, that would be lovely. I wanted to discuss something with you.” Marguerite settled onto the swing next to her, facing her, and took Kate’s hand. Oh boy. What did Marguerite want?
“I heard all about what happened with Nick and this Jessa. Everything.”
Kate’s heart sank, and she dropped her eyes, staring at her hands, the warmth of Marguerite’s grip contrasting with the chill creeping into her bones.
“First, let me say I am so sorry you are hurting. It should not have happened.”
Kate’s breath caught as she glanced up, battling the urge to cry again. Was Marguerite saying Nick was wrong? It seemed like a betrayal; Marguerite was so close to them.