Page 57 of Keep On Loving You
“That’s crazy!”
Her head bounced around the table, as everyone reacted to her confession. But ultimately, Kat’s gaze landed on the single most excited person in the room: Grady, Annie’s nephew was staring at her with wide eyes.
“Cool,” he said again, and Kat laughed.
“It was kinda cool.”
She could say that now, especially considering the kiss she’d shared with Andy as they’d bounced around in the air—not that she planned to share that particular bit of information.
“You didnotjump off a bridge.” Charli put her glass down with such a thump that the baby she was holding in her arms stirred and started to fuss. With her voice lower, she added, “Tell me you didn’t do that, Kat?”
In response, Kat merely shrugged. “It was either that or jump out of a plane.”
It was the wrong thing to say. The room erupted in chaos, with her siblings all roaring in displeasure. The baby started to cry, and Grady jumped from his chair, little Meri close behind, and they used the opportunity to slip from the room to escape any after-dinner chores.
Somehow, through the chaotic noise, Kat made eye contact with Andy, who lifted his hands and shrugged. She shook her head, and then, with too many emotions rolling through her, she pressed her lips together and inhaled into her cheeks, puffing them up before squeezing her eyes shut.
Uh oh.
Andy knew that look. Kat was about to crack, and he knew her well enough to know that it would be a full meltdown. Especially given how exhausted she was.
Andy moved quickly around the table and crouched next to Kat’s chair. He put his hand on her thigh and squeezed. “It’s okay, Kat.”
She didn’t open her eyes but shook her head in response.
“They’re just surprised. And you’re tired. There’s nothing here to get upset about.” He spoke softly, but quickly, directly into her ear so only she could hear. “Wait until they hear you say something in Spanish.”
It was the right thing to say. Kat blew out a breath that turned into a laugh. She opened her eyes and looked at him as she gave in to the laughter.
Around them, the others had settled down a little, possibly even realizing that their sensitive little sister might be on the verge of an epic breakdown. Not that Andy was going to stop to check on any of them. His only concern was Kat. It was always Kat.
“Hola, mi amiga,” he whispered into her ear, and she burst out into a fresh round of hysterics. This time he joined in.
The two of them were so caught up in their private joke that it took them a moment to notice that the room had grown silent, and all eyes were on them.
Andy worked hard to swallow his laughter. He cleared his throat and waited for Kat to do the same. When they were both under control, it was Craig who spoke first.
“I’m glad you both think it’s hysterical that you risked your life by jumping off a bridge.” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Andy as if it were his fault that Kat jumped off a bridge.
Before he could defend himself, Kat spoke up. “Don’t get your panties in a twist, brother. It was totally safe.”
Ithadbeen safe. But also terrifying. Andy didn’t think it was going to help matters to say that out loud, so he kept his mouth shut.
“It’s not like we tied a random bungee cord around our legs and jumped off a bridge without any safety equipment.” Kat rolled her eyes and reached for her glass of water. “We went to the professionals. It was all totally legit. We were really lucky that they got us in so quickly, too. Because we just kind of made the?—”
“We?” Chase looked past Kat, directly at Andy. He also crossed his arms over his chest and glared.
Again, before Andy could say anything, Kat spoke up. “Yes,we.I told you, Andy is helping me out with my list. And thank goodness he did, too. Because you guys are all acting ridiculous about this. It’s not like bungee jumping isn’t safe. People do it every day and don’t die.” Charli started to speak up, but Kat cut her off. “Besides, I didn’t have a choice. It’s on the list. Would you rather I didn’t do it at all and forfeited?”
That shut them all up. Andy faked a cough to hide his smile, but Craig still shot him a look as he stood from his position crouching next to Kat and took the chair Meri had vacated. “Can I just say something really quickly?”
All eyes, including Kat’s, turned in his direction. “I think you all know me well enough to know how much I care about Kat.” He didn’t risk looking in her direction. “I careabout all of you as if you were my own family,” he added quickly.
“Youarefamily, Andy.” Asher tipped his head, and the others all murmured their agreement.
“So please trust me when I tell you all that I will never let anything happen to Kat. She was never in danger, and she never will be. I’ll be sure of it.”
Next to him, Kat laughed. “Which is easy to say because we’re done with all the dangerous things now.”
