Cat had traveled too much to have a pet when she’d lived in the city. Now back at home, she’d been toying with the idea of adopting a dog. She’d always wanted one as a kid, but her mother had always said no.
“I am thinking about it,” Cat said, letting her gaze roam the space. She didn’t blame Winnie for wanting her to see the home. It was by far the best one they’d toured so far. “Is Rachel okay? I haven’t heard from her.”
“Rachel is taking the loss hard,” Winnie replied with a loud sigh. “Josh is, too. We all are, but they were quite close with Tyler. Tate was as well. How is that going? Seeing him again?”
The last thing Cat wanted to do was talk about Tate. She was still smarting about the kiss last night. But what had she thought would happen? That Tate would sweep her off her feet and drag her to a tacky wedding chapel in Las Vegas so they could get married?
She wasn’t even sure how she felt about Tate. She only knew that since she’d seen him at the party, she couldn’t get him out of her head.
As she’d tossed and turned last night, she’d had to admit to herself that she’d compared Tate to every other man she’d dated. And none of them had come out on top. In the last ten years, she hadn’t even been close to being serious with anyone.
She’d always said that it was her job that kept her mostly single and dating casually. In reality, it was because she’d never forgotten the boy that she’d left behind. Except that he was a man now, and they’d both grown up.
“It’s fine,” she finally replied, pretending to inspect the windows to the backyard. “We’re both adults.”
Winnie’s gaze was speculative, sweeping Cat up and down before replying.
“Tate is one of the most eligible bachelors, not just in Winslow Heights, but probably the entire state. He’s sexy, funny, intelligent, and rich. Not just trust fund rich, either. He’s a successful businessman on his own. It wouldn’t be crazy if you still carried a torch for him. Lord knows, the women around here throw themselves at him like he’s a movie star - not that he invites that sort of behavior.”
“I’m not carrying a torch for anyone.”
Cat tried to keep her tone light and teasing, but she was already wondering about all of these women. How many had there been since she’d left?
That’s none of my business.
“I’m just saying it would make sense,” Winnie said. “It would make quite the story, too. The local gossip would eat it up. Rich local heartthrob reunites with supermodel first love. Your kids would certainly win the gene pool lottery.”
How many times had Cat pictured what their children would look like? Too many to count. “We’re friends.”
Cat didn’t know what else to say. What she and Tate were wasn’t any of Winnie’s business.
Luckily, the other woman didn’t take any offense at Cat’s terse response, simply launching into a monologue about how bright and airy the home was and how it was perfect for entertaining.
After they toured the upstairs, Winnie locked up the house and tapped out a message on her phone.
“I have to tell you that this house might go quickly. There’s a lot of interest in it, and it’s only been on the market for one day. If you want it, you should put in an offer as soon as possible. I’dhate to see someone else snatch this out from under you. There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a house and then not getting it.”
“I do like it. It’s the best we’ve seen.”
“It won’t get much better than this, and it’s priced to move. Have your mom see it. Or Tate. They can give you their opinion. But don’t take too much time. The clock is ticking. Give me a call later. Sorry, I must fly. I’m showing a condo in ten minutes. No rest for the weary. Or is it wicked? I’m never sure which it is. Either way, call me.”
As Cat drove back to her mom’s house, she almost turned toward the downtown area. She could casually stop into Tate’s Tavern and have some lunch.
But she turned right instead.
She wasn’t sure what she wanted. How could she ask him to be?
Tate rolled up the storage warehouse door, revealing all the contents within - mostly stacks of moving boxes and a few pieces of furniture.
He deliberately did not allow himself to think about last night with Cat. It was all too confusing, and he needed to keep his concentration where it needed to be. Later, he would think about that kiss.
That amazing, wonderful kiss, and whether it should have even happened.
“I don’t know what I expected,” his oldest brother Zack said. “But this wasn’t it.”
“Were you expecting a single box labeled ‘All secrets contained within’?” Cooper joked. “Mom would never be that obvious.”
“I think the better question is, why did she even have this storage unit?” Tate said. “There is plenty of storage in the house and on the grounds. She didn’t need to do this.”
