Page 16 of Keep On Loving You
“That’s what big brothers do.”
“I guess.” She shrugged. “And that certainly hasn’t changed.”
“I bet it hasn’t.” Andy’s voice dropped. “And I’m sure he’s just as protective of you as always.”
There was something in his voice that Kat couldn’t quite read.
“He is.” She set her coffee down and looked Andy in the eyes. “If you’re worried about him being upset about what happened…” she started. “Don’t. He never has to know. In fact, he neverwillknow.” She waited until she saw the acknowledgment on his face. “I meant what I said last night, Andy. We’re all grown up now and this…last night…that’s all it ever needs to be. All it everwillbe. I’m not looking for the fairy tale.”
Not with you,she almost added, but bit down on her bottom lip to keep from blurting it out.
Andy reached across the table and took her hand in his. He threaded their fingers together. “How did you put it…happy for right now?”
She grinned and nodded. “You got it.”
“And are you?”
He looked at her with so much expectation on his face, Kat wasn’t sure what he was hoping the answer would be.
“I am,” she answered honestly. She waited for his response, hoping that he was all right with what had happened between them. But even if he wasn’t, for any reason at all, Kat would be okay. She’d made her decision long before accepting his dinner invitation, and no matter what Andy’s response would be, she would be fine with it because she really and truly was good with it.
After a moment, Andy’s lips curled up into a smile. “Me too.”
He squeezed her hand one more time before releasing it, and Kat knew that signified the end of their time together.
She left her coffee, abandoned on the counter, and prepared herself to leave. “Thank you again for dinner, Andy. After a busy week in the city, it really was the best way to end my trip.” And then, feeling a little wicked, she added, “And dessert was truly delicious.”
He laughed out loud. “You’re nothing but trouble.”
“You have no idea.” She winked at him and blew a kiss in his direction.
Andy walked her to the door and opened it. Rightbefore she moved to walk out, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back into him.
She was breathless while he kissed her.
“You really are something special, Kitty Kat.”
“I know.”
They both laughed.
“You are, too, Andy,” she added more seriously. “Honestly. Thank you for…well, thanks for the great night. Next time you’re in town, ice cream at the Sugar Shack is my treat.”
He shook his head, and she laughed again.
If she were being honest, it surprised her a little how okay she was with the way things were being left between them. But she was. It felt right and like it couldn’t have happened any other way.
“Bye, Andy.”
She turned and stepped into the hallway of his building.
“Kitty Kat?”
She turned slowly to face him.
“I get the whole happy-for-right-now thing,” he said softly. “But I really hope that one day you do believe in happy endings, because you deserve nothing less.”
Kat let the smile lift her lips as she took his words in. “You never know, Andy.” She blew him a kiss in an effort to hide her true feelings. “Anything could happen.”
