Stitches and Scars (40 page)

“Something tells me that Trent wouldn’t like having to share his space with a baby grand.” She laughed as she imagined Trent’s reaction.

“Yeah, well, I’ll just kick him out,” he said with a shrug, “I’m sure Elle wouldn’t mind having him as a roommate, although I’ll have to warn her. He can be a bit messy sometimes.”

“Great,” Kate deadpanned. “How did you know I always wanted a roommate who probably doesn’t even wash his own clothes? And I just love the idea of my grocery bill tripling.”

“Your grocery bill won’t triple. Honestly, I don’t eat that much, although I’m sure that will change after a week of your amazing cooking. And don’t worry about me; I know how to wash my own clothes.”

“Wait, what?” she asked, confused, not grasping what he was talking about.

Ethan laughed while shaking his head. “If I kick Trent out, it’s because I want
you
in.”

“What?” she repeated again.

“Kate,” he said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “If, and
when,
Trent moves out of my place, I fully expect
you
to move in with me. I want nothing more than to have the guarantee that I’ll wake up next to you every morning.”

Her mind thrilled at the thought. “When that day comes, I’ll be more than ready,” she said with a smile that mimicked his.

Cradling her face in his hand, he brushed her cheek with his thumb. “I love you,” he said softly, before leaning in and kissing her.

They pulled their bodies closer and deepened the kiss, both of them never wanting to part. His hands ran up and down her back and bare arms, setting little fires along her skin. Kate’s body felt alive with energy, like it always did when Ethan kissed her. It didn’t matter how brief or how soft the kiss was, she always felt it. He pulled back for a moment and brushed his nose along the line of her jaw, tickling her cheek with his hair. She jumped slightly at the sensation and hit the piano with her hand, filling the air with a cacophony of notes. The once intense moment changed instantly and they both sat back laughing freely.

“Why is it that we can’t seem to keep our hands off of each other while we’re in other people’s homes?” she asked through her giggles.

“Sweetheart, it’s not just in other people’s homes. I can’t keep my hands off you, period. And believe me, I’m not at all complaining.” He leaned forward and gave her another quick kiss before grasping her hand. “We’d better get back to the party. Something tells me they’ll be announcing the highest bidders soon.”

When she nodded her head, Ethan wrapped his arm around her waist and stood up from the bench, setting her on her feet. Making sure her dress was smooth, she ran her hands over the fabric and fiddled with her hair. Ethan stood at the door, waiting for her with his hand outstretched. She went to him, and immediately found her place by his side.

As they made their way into the great room, they noticed the announcing of the top bidders was about to start. Ethan gave his dad a smile and veered the two of them in his direction.

“I thought for sure you’d miss the announcement. I was fully prepared to accept anything on your behalf,” his dad said, laughing.

Ethan reached out to pat his back. “Yeah, I bet you were, Dad.”

All other conversation was cut short as an older lady with silver hair and an indigo wrap stood at the front of the room, holding a sheet of paper. The room fell into a quiet hush as she began speaking, noting that she’d been asked to fill in for Cindy who had to leave early for the evening. Kate couldn’t help but feel both relieved and disappointed. Relived that she wouldn’t have to watch her smug face as Sabrina gave her the gift and disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to rub Ethan in her face any more. She knew the latter was a bit childish and ruthless, but she was forced to work with what she had.

Standing in silence, she ignored the woman speaking and thought about what she’d actually say to Cindy if given the chance. The sound of Ethan laughing at his dad brought her out of her thoughts. “What did I miss?” she asked, keeping her voice low.

Instead of answering her, Ethan kept his eyes on his dad with a look of disbelief. “I can’t believe you bid on it. We both agreed that—”

“No,
you
agreed.”

“Dad, you don’t even know how to sail.” Father and son smiled at each other, neither one standing down.

“Whenever I’m in town, you can teach me. And when I’m not here, you can take it out. I’m sure Kate would enjoy it.” Oliver looked at her and winked.

“I’m sure she would. And I’m sure we’ll take you up on that offer.”

His dad grinned at the both of them and turned his attention back to the lady at the front of the room.

“So, he got the boat?” Kate asked.

“He sure as hell did.” Ethan laughed and shook his head. “A ninety-eight foot, 2007 Ketch. That must have cost him a pretty penny.”

There was no stifling her curiosity. “How many pennies?”

“Last one I saw was a few years old, and it ran a little under a million.”

Kate almost choked on her spit, but swallowed slowly in an attempt to play it off as no big deal. “You didn’t bid on anything that expensive, did you?” She held her breath, horrified of his answer.

“No, not …
quite
.” Kate opened her mouth in protest, but he held up his hand. “I’m not telling you, so don’t ask.”

She shut her jaw with an audible snap, and instead tried to focus on the lady who was speaking. She announced that the Governor got the box seats to the Ballet and an old lady, decked out in more jewelry and fur than Kate had ever seen on one person, won a pair of emerald earrings.

“Damn,” Ethan mumbled.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just … it’s nothing,” he said, forcing a smile.

Kate narrowed her eyes at him in disbelief, but before she could question him, the lady spoke up again.

“The two week stay at the villa in Tuscany goes to number fourteen, Ethan Montgomery.”

Whipping her head to the side, Kate gaped at him with wide eyes. “Tuscany. You bid on a trip to Tuscany?”

He shrugged his shoulders and smirked. “Sure, I’ve always wanted to go. I’ve been to Rome but never Tuscany. Plus, the villa is gorgeous; it’s right on a vineyard. You’re going to love it.”

“
I’m
going to love it?”

“You can’t possibly expect me to go without you.”

She stared at him in shock. “Ethan, you don’t have to—”

“I know I don’t have to. I want to. Besides I’m your boyfriend, and if I want to buy you nice jewelry or a trip to Europe, I’m allowed.”

Nice jewelry?
she thought. Then it hit her. “Ethan,” she said calmly. “You bid on those earrings, didn’t you?” She tried to sound upset, but he didn’t look apologetic in the least.

“Yes, I did.”

“They were huge! I’m not even sure I could pull something like that off. I mean they’d look out of place on—”

“All girls look fabulous in jewels.” The soft yet commanding voice of Sabrina spoke up behind them. Kate turned around and noticed that she was directly behind her and probably heard their entire exchange.

“Well … sure, I mean … I—”

“And,” she continued as if Kate hadn’t said a word, “if you marry into this family, you’d better like them.” She cocked her perfect eyebrow and gave her a knowing smile before leaning in and whispering, “Because we tend to have a lot.”

“Mom, let’s not scare her off,” Ethan teased before pulling Kate to his side.

“I’m not scaring her. In fact, I came over here because I want to help ease
her into it.”

Confused by her comment, Kate pulled away from Ethan to ask what she meant; but as soon as she looked at her, she knew. Sabrina’s hands were outstretched and hanging from her fingertips was the sparkling yellow pendant hanging on a small chain.

Kate’s jaw dropped. Words jumbled in her mind and she couldn’t bring herself to think clearly. Sabrina’s laughter rang through the air as she took a step forward and motioned for her to turn around. Still rooted in place, Ethan had to assist in guiding Kate’s motions and turned her to face him. When the cold stone hit her chest, her hand automatically covered it. Spinning around, she forced herself to speak.

“I thought … I mean, Cindy said that you—”

Sabrina shook her head. “I think we both know that Cindy says a lot of things that aren’t true.”

“But she’s—”

“Cindy may be able to play tennis, Kate, but that’s not what makes a Montgomery.”

They stood silent for a moment, looking at each other, both of them knowing that there was more meaning behind her simple statement than was said. In her own way, Sabrina was welcoming Kate into the family and telling her that she was good enough—better in fact—than Cindy was or ever would be.

Rolling the cold, smooth stone between her fingers, Kate smiled. “Thank you, Sabrina.”

She smiled in return, then looked at her son. “I wanted to give you a warning. Your father just got the First Base Line Box Seats for the Phillies home opener.”

“Great.” Ethan’s head dropped down, defeated.

“What does that mean?” Kate asked.

“It means, my dear, sweet Kate,” Oliver walked up beside her and planted a kiss in her cheek, “that I won!”

***

Two weeks later, Kate lay in bed watching clouds scudding across the sky outside of her window. She contemplated spending another day in bed, under the illusion that if she did nothing then Sunday would arrive sooner.

Sunday would be the first entire day in a week and a half that she’d have with Ethan. He’d been working such crazy shifts at the hospital that she’d hardly had a chance to see him. On more than one occasion she contemplated telling him that it was time for him to convert Trent’s bedroom into a music room. She was ready.

Rolling her eyes at herself, she turned over with a huff, pulling the covers over her head in the process. But being under the blankets didn’t help in dispelling the voices in her head that told her to take some initiative and do something. Giving in, she sat up quickly, allowing the thick morning haze to clear from her mind and she started planning. She had an idea of what she wanted to do, but knew there was no way she could pull it off by herself. Rolling over, she grabbed her phone and called in reinforcements.

***

“Kate, if you want to get full shock value, you have to wear it,” Sophie yelled from behind the bathroom door.

Kate looked at her reflection in the mirror and knew that she was right. After all, she was going for shock value. She smiled to herself as she picked up the little lace garter skirt and stepped into it. After attaching the clasps to the tops of her thigh highs, she slipped into her sexy black dress and stood back, giving herself one last look over. Sophie had spent half of the morning shopping on her behalf and the rest of the afternoon making phone calls to arrange everything.

“Okay, guys. I think I’m good,” she said, running her hands over her dress nervously.

“Get out here and show us then,” Elle demanded. “You know we have to approve.”

Taking a deep breath, Kate swung the door open and earned smiles of approval from both her friends.

“If I weren’t a chick, I’d be all over you,” Elle said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Kate laughed. “Trent’s rubbing off on you.”

Her face lit up and she grinned triumphantly. “Good. I’m perfectly okay with that.”

Still smiling, Elle walked to the bed and returned with a pair of red heels. “These are my favorite. They’re good luck. And besides, you can’t wear an outfit like that,” she motioned to her friends outfit, “and not wear red heels.”

“Thanks.” Kate grabbed the heels and slipped them on.

“Don’t forget this,” Sophie said, scampering over and securing Kate’s necklace in place. “Perfect.” She smirked, looking her friend over. “And don’t forget, go to the front desk and ask for them to page Dr. Hunter. If they give you any trouble, ask to speak with Kristen. She’ll know what to do.”

“Got it.” She walked over to her bed and grabbed her long cream coat. She gave her two friends one last smile before turning to leave. “Wish me luck,” she yelled over her shoulder.

“Luck!” they both yelled back. The sound of their laughter echoed down the hallway as Kate walked outside and shut the door.

***

Almost an hour later, Kate stepped out of her car, pulling her already tightly wrapped coat even tighter to keep out the cold. She hurried into the hospital, anxious to get into the warm building, and walked up to the front desk. The platinum blond girl behind the counter was huddled down low in her chair, biting on her nails absentmindedly and completely engrossed in the book she held. The lazy smirk across her face made it clear that she was enjoying what she read, and Kate felt bad for interrupting her.

“Can I help you?” she asked without looking up.

“Umm … sure, I’m … umm, I need you to page Dr. Hunter for me, please?” She tried desperately to hide the nervousness in her voice, but it was useless.