In the awkward silence, he debated what to say. Keep it light and avoid anything personal? What else was there to talk about? The herd of elephants in the room loomed between them.
Kat sipped her wine and turned her gaze toward the piano player.
Was she deliberately avoiding eye contact? He hesitated a beat then picked up his menu. Before his eyes could focus on the options, the server appeared again.
“We have a few specials tonight, folks.” He rattled off a few choices that included sides and sauces and more detail than Nick could follow under the circumstances.
“Do you need a few more minutes?” the server asked.
Nick cleared his throat. “Haven’t had a chance–”
“A steak is fine,” Kat cut in. “Filet, medium well with baked potato and asparagus.”
Nick handed his menu to the server. “I’ll have the same.”
“Certainly. I’ll be right back with our selection of breads.”
Neither of them responded. Food was the last thing on Nick’s mind. “How are you doing?” he asked finally.
“I’m okay,” she murmured, toying with the silverware in front of her.
He was having trouble reading Kat’s mood. She said she wasn’t mad, but was she nervous? He thought she flicked a glance toward him before lifting the over-sized wine glass, blocking his view of her expression.
He tried again. “What brings you to Colorado? Looks like your grandmother is well. Her mind is sharp, I’ll give her that.”
The next thing he knew, Kitty stood beside their table. She pressed her lips together and took Kat’s hand. “My dears, Charles tells me I may have overstepped my bounds and created an uncomfortable situation. I’m so sorry. Kat, honey, why don’t you join me and Charles for dinner? Nick, please accept my apologies. Thank you for being a good sport and supporting the museum. You owe the restaurant nothing.”
He flashed a quick glance at Kat whose eyes were fixed on him. Did shewantto stay with him? She hadn’t made any move to leave the table…
Don’t blow this,he told himself. Unexpected as it was, he’d been given an opportunity. “Kat, I’d like to have dinner with you.” It took supreme effort to keep from reaching across the table and taking her hand.
With the faintest smile, she turned to her grandmother. “Nana, it’s fine. Enjoy your dinner with Charles.”
“All right. If you’re sure.” She looked at Nick.
He simply nodded.
“You good?” Kat asked quietly after Kitty retreated.
He settled in his chair and held Kat’s gaze. “Let’s talk. It’s been two months.” Two months of waiting and hoping—of feeling like a lovesick fool.
“I know. I…I’m sorry. I needed to sort through everything that happened.”
“Kat, I know what I said hurt you. I did a lousy job of making a point. I’ve felt bad ever since–”
“You’vefelt bad?” She shook her head. “How do you think–”
The server slid salads and a basket of bread onto the table. “Here we are folks. Main course will be out shortly. Enjoy.”
Kat leaned in, intensity in her eyes. “You’re right, I come from a family with money, and maybe that gives me an unrealistic perspective on life. I’m sorry if I came across as snobbish and elitist. That is the last impression I ever want to give.” She let out a long, audible sigh. “We’re all trying to make something happen in whatever way we can.”
He heard the regret and fatigue in her voice, and he had to stop himself from reaching out and pushing back the hair from her face. He sensed she wasn’t ready for that. “I’m sorry, too. I only wanted to help you find new opportunities.”
Without responding, she looked into her glass and swirled the wine.
In the silence, Nick picked up his fork and stabbed a hunk of cucumber. When he looked at Kat across the table again, she seemed engrossed in pushing lettuce around on her plate.
“Kat, I wish we could rewind, but instead, how about we call it a do-over? Let’s pretend we planned to have dinner on our own.” He forced a smile.
