Page 28 of Keep On Loving You
For the first time, Andy thought about it reasonably. He’d been insanely attracted to Kat for far too long, and in recent years, that attraction had grown to a whole lot more than just a physical one. But that didn’t matter, because Kathad made it clear on more than one occasion that she didn’t believe inhappily ever after.And even if he could change her mind—and that was a bigif,with a strong, independent woman like Kat—there was no reason for him to believe that she felt the same way about him.
It was a game to her.Hewas a game.
And as much as he wanted to, maybe it was no longer worth playing.
Not if it meant losing everything.
Chapter Eleven
Whatever Charli had givenher for pain had worked.
Kat certainly didn’t notice the throbbing in her wrist. In fact, she didn’t feel much of anything anymore. It was getting harder and harder to keep her eyes open, and she’d already periodically nodded off a few times. But when she heard Charli and Andy talking in the other room, her eyes flew open.
“Trust me.” She heard Charli say. “She’s perfect for you. Her name is Jess. She’s brunette, super cute and fun. She’s really involved in a beach volleyball league, too. I think you’ll really like her.”
Perfect for him?
Kat knew Jess. Shewassuper cute and fun. And there was no doubt that Andy would really like her. But it didn’t mean Charli should be setting him up with anyone. He didn’t evenlivein Trickle Creek.
And if he did…
Kat strained to hear what they were saying. Charli was known for her history of playing matchmaker, so it probably wasn’t too far-fetched that she should try setting Andy up, too. As far as Charli knew, he didn’t have any other opportunities.
Not that Kat was anopportunity.
Besides, it’s not as though Andy would actually take Charli up on her offer.
“She sounds great.” Andy’s voice was muffled, but Kat heard what she’d heard.
She tried to sit up, but her one good arm couldn’t hold her.
“Promise me you’ll call her?”
Kat held her breath at Charli’s question, and a moment later exhaled with a deflated sigh when Andy said, “I will.”
So that’s how it was?
Not that she should have expected any different. He didn’t owe her anything. It’s not like they were a couple or anything.
If he wanted to date other people, that was none of her business.Besides, it was probably for the best, she thought as her eyes drifted closed again. Nothing was ever going to happen between them. Not in any kind of real way. Not beyond a secret rendezvous here and there. She’d always known it. And now she knew for sure that he felt the same way, too.
Kat was sleeping when Andy finally made his way back to the living room. Her red hair was spread over the pillow, her mouth open just a little, and a soft snore escaped her lips.
She looked incredibly cute.
Something in his chest tightened.
Andy watched her for a moment before shaking away the dangerous thoughts that threatened to take hold.
He moved carefully, using special caution with her sore wrist as he scooped her up in his arms. Kat shifted and cuddled into his chest. Her face nuzzled against him, and she murmured something he couldn’t quite make out.
“Ssh,” he murmured as he made his way slowly up the stairs and into her room.
Andy shifted her into one arm as he pulled her comforter back and, as carefully as he could, set her down on the sheets. He tucked her in and brushed a strand of hair off her cheek.
It wasn’t at all the way he’d thought the evening would end. And if he was being honest, it wouldn’t have been his first choice. But, in the long run, it was probably the best ending for everyone involved.
Still…walking away from her was turning out to be harder than he’d expected.
