Catia (Starkis Family #6) (10 page)

“I met the girls earlier,” I said, adding a healthy amount of whipped cream to both mugs before I set them on the table with a stack of paper napkins. “They’re adorable.”

In spite of their surly attitudes, they were easily two of the cutest little girls I’d ever seen. With their big blue eyes, blond ringlets, and fair skin, they looked nothing like Chase, who had dark hair, eyes, and skin. I assumed they looked like their mother.

“That they are,” Doreen said, grinning. “But they’re a handful. I feel bad for Chase. He’s trying so hard to make them happy; meanwhile they seemed determined to make him miserable.”

“I guess they’re going through a rough time.” I could tell Doreen adored her grandchildren, so I didn’t want to be the one to criticize them. I suspected if I did, the mother lioness in her would rear her head in no time. “I know Chase is trying to be patient with them.”

Though by the time I’d left his house, he seemed about ready to snap. His little angels may have pushed their daddy’s patience to the limit with their tantrum tonight. Not that I wanted to be the reason for more tension in their household. If anything, I wanted to find a way to help Chase relax, to make his life easier, not harder.

“Too patient at times, if you ask me.”

“How so?” I took a bite of a cookie. It was my fifth one today, which meant extra time on the treadmill in the morning. I’d only planned to have one, just to taste them, but my encounter with Chase’s girls had led to an emotional eating indulgence.

“My husband and I always believed in taking a firm hand with our kids. We were never cruel, but they understood the boundaries and respected them. In any other area of his life, with anyone else, my son has never had trouble taking a hard line. But it’s different with Elsie and Emily. He so wants to be a good dad. Not to mention the guilt he feels over the divorce and custody battle.”

“I can’t imagine it’s been easy on any of them.” Based on everything Chase had told me about Karen, she wouldn’t be nominated for any Mother of the Year awards, but still, she must have missed her kids.

“No, it isn’t.” Doreen sighed after taking a sip of her hot chocolate. “I never felt Karen was right for Chase. She was too self-centered, and he would have done anything to make her happy. It’s strange because he’s never been a people pleaser, but with Karen, he would have bent over backward to give her anything and everything she wanted. That’s why he was so driven to succeed in business, because he was determined to give her the kind of life she’d always wanted.”

I wondered what it would be like to have a man like Chase willing to do anything to make me happy. “I guess that’s why he took it so hard when she—” I bit my tongue when I remembered who I was talking to. I couldn’t talk to Chase’s mother about his former wife’s sexual indiscretions.

“Cheated on him?” She nodded. “Yes, that was a real blow.”

“Hmm.” I was trying so hard not to ask questions since I knew it was none of my business, but I wanted to know everything that had influenced Chase’s stance on relationships.

“But for a man like Chase, who has so much pride, Karen’s affair was the last straw. There was no way he could have stayed in that marriage after that, not even for the sake of his girls.”

“They hate me.” I hadn’t intended to blurt that out, but something told me Doreen would understand. “Emily and Elsie hate me.”

She pursed her lips before taking a sip of her drink, followed by another. “They said that?” She sounded annoyed.

I wasn’t sure if she was upset with me or them, but I wasn’t taking any chances. “I don’t blame them for being angry. I had no right to go over there uninvited. I should have waited until Chase asked me over. I just thought they might like some cookies, and I can’t deny I wanted to meet them. Chase has told me so much about them, and I…” I shrugged. “I was curious.”

“I’m sorry they were rude to you, Catia. Honestly, I don’t know what’s gotten into them lately. Before the divorce, they were the sweetest little girls you’d ever want to meet. Of course, they were just babies then. My husband keeps telling me they’re going through a phase, and I really want to believe that, but I’m concerned if Chase doesn’t do something to nip this in the bud soon, they’re going to be running that household.”

I couldn’t imagine Chase letting that happen. I’d seen him on job sites, managing dozens of contractors and subcontractors with an iron fist. It was kind of funny he seemed to be having so much difficulty with two little girls, and I giggled.

“What’s so amusing?” Doreen asked, frowning.

“Sorry,” I said, struggling to keep a straight face. “I don’t mean to laugh, but it is kind of funny. I’ve always known Chase to be this big, tough guy, you know? Guys on the job site always steer clear when he’s in a mood, but his own daughters seem fearless.”

“It’s because they know how much he adores them, that he would rather die than hurt them. And believe me, they use that to their advantage. I hate to say it, but they manipulate him, and I’m afraid he’s been allowing it this last little while.”

“Maybe they all just need a little more time to adjust to this new way of life,” I suggested, trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Doreen looked thoughtful as she tipped her head. “You care about him a great deal, don’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do.”

“Then why did you go back to Chicago?”

“I…” I hadn’t seen that question coming and wasn’t prepared to answer it.

“I know my son had real feelings for you,” she explained. “He was devastated when you left. I’m not going to lie, I had my guard up when I came over here tonight. But after spending this short amount of time with you, I can tell you’re a sweet person.”

“Thank you.” I appreciated the endorsement.

I felt the same way about her, which was strange. I didn’t usually make snap judgments about people. I preferred to give them time to prove themselves one way or the other. But with Doreen, it was clear that what you saw was what you got, like it or not. And I did like it. A lot.

“Leaving New York wasn’t easy,” I said, feeling she deserved some explanation. “At the time, I just felt we were at different places in our lives, and I didn’t want to hurt him. In retrospect, I see that my leaving hurt both of us and made it difficult for Chase to trust me.” I’d never expected to open up to Doreen, but she made it easy, and I knew if my relationship with Chase was going to work, I could use an ally who had influence over his daughters.

“Trust is something you build over time. Especially for someone like Chase, who has already been burned badly by a woman who thought he could trust.”

“I don’t mind him wanting to take things slow with me.” I sipped my hot chocolate. “I can’t even blame him. I’m just worried his daughters won’t give me a chance, and I fear that could be a real deal breaker for him.”

She patted my hand with a smile. “You let me worry about them, sweetheart. If I could handle their rowdy father at that age, I can definitely handle them.”

***

I smiled and nodded through dinner, trying to contribute to the conversation when I could, but I could tell by the way my sister kept frowning at me that I wasn’t doing a very good job of entertaining their friend and business associate.

“So, um, Ern,” I said, scrambling to think of a topic that hadn’t been discussed. Since I’d been zoning out all night, thinking about Chase, I was liable to make a fool of myself by trying to cover old ground. “Do you travel a lot for business?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” He smiled and wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin. “Italy mostly. Have you ever been?”

I offered a tight smile in return. “Our father believed travel was part of a good education.”

“Smart man,” Ern said, nodding in approval.

“If you’ll excuse us,” Dustin said, pushing his chair back before reaching for his wife’s hand. “They’re playing our song.”

The upscale restaurant had a pianist and a small dance floor where my brother-in-law pulled my sister into his arms. It was no easy feat given her protruding belly, which she must have pointed out as they shared a laugh. Watching them, I felt a sudden pang of envy and longing. It must have showed because I felt Ern’s hand covering mine.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked.

Had Chase been the one to ask, I wouldn’t have hesitated, but being wrapped in another man’s arms would only make me miss him more. I hadn’t seen or talked to him all day, and I had no idea what he might be thinking or feeling after last night.

“I’ve been wearing these all day,” I said, sticking my foot out so he could see my five-inch nude heels. “To be honest, my feet are killing me, so it’s nice to just sit here and relax.”

He flashed a grin. “I’ve always wondered why women torture themselves wearing shoes like that.”

“In my line of work, it’s steel-toed work boots all day, so I dress up whenever I get a chance. I was in planning meetings today, so I thought I’d take advantage of the reprieve and dress like a girl for a change.” I’d also hoped to see Chase and wanted to look my best.

“Believe me,” he said, his eyes discreetly perusing my low-cut blue dress, “you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met. It wouldn’t matter what you were wearing—men would take notice.”

I was surprised by his bold comment. So far, he’d been the perfect gentleman. Of course, that might have had something to do with our chaperones. I was suddenly very grateful for their presence. “I’m flattered, but—”

“You’re not interested, I know.” When I didn’t confirm or deny his statement, he asked, “You’re still hoping to land Chase?”

I didn’t appreciate his phrasing, but I understood his annoyance. No man liked to be rejected. Twice. “To be honest, I’m not sure where things stand between us right now.”

He leaned in, resting his arm on the back of my chair. “Ah, good, then I still have a chance.”

“Did I say that?” I didn’t believe in giving men false hope, and this one didn’t have a hope in hell of
landing
me.

“Then you wouldn’t be interested even if Chase wasn’t a factor?” He leaned back, flattening his hand against his chest. “I’m hurt. What is it? Not rich enough, handsome enough, or successful enough? I didn’t go to the right school? Don’t have the right friends?”

I set my teeth, reminding myself he was Dustin and Kara’s friend so he must have some redeeming qualities. “I don’t care about any of that.”

He laughed bitterly. “Right, that’s why you’ve set your sights on the guy who owns the largest commercial development company in the state—because you don’t give a damn about status.”

I stood, tossing my napkin on the table. “I have to go.” In deference to my sister, I refused to be rude, but I wouldn’t sit there while some stranger called my character into question simply because I’d rejected him.

“Wait.” He grabbed my wrist. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just disappointed. I’d hoped this evening would turn out differently. At least let me see you home.”

“Thanks, I’d rather catch a cab.”

Chase

I was sitting on the front porch, waiting for Catia’s date to bring her home. I wasn’t proud of it, especially since it was the end of October and I couldn’t claim to be enjoying the balmy evening.

I’d been standing at the kitchen window, washing vegetables, when I saw the slick black sedan pull into her driveway a few hours earlier. I clenched my teeth as I watched him help her into the car, his hand resting on the small of her back. I wanted to go over there and lay him out for putting his hands on her, but with my daughters just a few feet away, I had to pretend it wasn’t killing me to see her go out with someone else.

Even though she’d told me about the date, claiming it was innocent, I hadn’t been able to get it off my mind all day. Especially after our last conversation, when she’d claimed I was right to want to put on the brakes. What an idiot I had been for suggesting that! If I’d ever wanted to take anything back, it was those few words.

If I could have hit rewind and had that night in the hotel room back, I would have made love to her until she didn’t even have the desire to utter another man’s name, let alone agree to be his dinner companion.

I finally felt I could breathe when I saw a cab pull into her drive and she jumped out. “Date didn’t go well?” I asked, loud enough for her to hear.

She turned. “Chase? Is that you?”

Since I had the porch light on, I suspected she could see my face. “I sure could use a little company. How ‘bout you?”

She walked over slowly, seeming hesitant as she curled a dark wrap around her shoulders to ward off the chill. She paused on the stone walkway as she looked up at me. “What’s up?”

“I was going to ask you the same question. How’d your date go?”

She wrinkled her nose before ascending the three steps leading to the porch. “He didn’t drive me home. What does that tell you?”

“That the man upstairs decided to answer my prayers tonight?”

She sat beside me on the porch swing, and I inhaled deeply. The citrusy floral scent of her new perfume made me wish she’d sat just a little closer. Like on my lap maybe.

She looked at me, her eyes rimmed with a smoky shadow that made her look even sultrier. “You were praying that my date would turn out to be a jerk?”

I wasn’t proud of it, but I wouldn’t lie about it either. “What if I was?”

“That would imply you cared.”

Her wrap slipped, revealing a low-cut neckline that demanded my attention. “That’s what you wore to dinner tonight?” I should have taken that opportunity to tell her how much I cared instead of chastising her for dressing to entice another man, but when I saw Catia’s luscious breasts, all rational thought fled. “Why?”

She let the wrap fall away, revealing a tight navy dress with cut-outs at the waist that extended to the back. “You don’t like it?”

“I’m willing to bet your date did,” I said, clenching my jaw.

“Why were you waiting for me?” she asked, ignoring the question.

“Honestly? Because I planned to knock him out if he tried to kiss you good night.”