“Cat.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me close so I could hear him over the noise of the busy airport. “We never talked about what happened between us.”
Oh no. This was I wanted to avoid. I tried to pull my hand back, but Jeremy didn’t let go.
“You just left, Cat.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But I had to.” Did we have to have this conversation now? I was still feeling raw from William’s rejection and all my memories of Jace. Why had I thought I could avoid this? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Jeremy and I had a history, separate but still entwined with my history with Jace, and it was a history I never wanted to revisit. I was so dumb to think he wouldn’t bring it up.
“No explanation. No goodbye. I didn’t have any idea where you’d gone. I had to call your mom to find out you moved to Chicago.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’d just…I needed some distance.”
“But you’re back now,” Jeremy said, squeezing my hand. “And I’d really like to see you again. I’d like to give us another chance.”
My throat felt as though a rock had caught in it. I couldn’t breathe or speak. There had never been an us, not really. But there had been something, and just remembering made me feel the shame and heartache all over again. I couldn’t do this. Not here, not now. Not ever.
“Jeremy—” I wanted to get away. I had the urge to tear my hand from his and run. Perhaps he sensed it because he moved closer, essentially boxing me in against the car.
“I know I’m getting married, but Amy…” He waved a hand, dismissing his fiancée. His eyes, so much like Jace’s, met mine. “Amy isn’t you, Cat. No one else is you.”
I shook my head. “I have a different life now, Jeremy. Everything is different. Everything.” I placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back. “I have to go, okay?”
“Cat!”
But I pushed past him and headed for the doors to the ticket counters. “I’ll call you,” I yelled over my shoulder. “I have to go.”
I strode into the terminal without looking back. I didn’t know if Jeremy was still standing beside his car or if he’d driven off. I didn’t care. I waited in line at the ticket counter, my cell in hand. I kept waiting for a text or a call from William, but there was nothing.
Finally, I reached the counter. Lucky me, I could hop on a flight to Chicago leaving in two hours. I was ready to pay the full fare and was handing over my credit card when the smiling blond who was manning the ticket counter was flagged over to take a phone call. I watched as she picked up the receiver of the wall phone mounted just a few feet from her computer terminal. She nodded, then looked at me, then nodded again. I was just standing there, waiting, but her conversation seemed to go on forever. More nodding, more looking over at me. Did I look like a terrorist or something? Maybe it was because I was traveling one-way and didn’t have any luggage to check. I waited and watched as her phone conversation continued. I didn’t understand why this was taking so long. Then I overheard her say, “Yes, sir. I understand, sir. No, I think she’s fine. Alright. Goodbye.”
I had no idea what that was all about or if it had anything to do with me and at this point, I really didn’t care. I just wanted to go home. Once she was back in front of me, I handed her my credit card and she processed my ticket. “Have a nice flight, Miss Kelly,” she said as she handed me my ticket. “You’re at Gate 32.”
“Thanks,” I said, grabbing my bags and purse and walking away.
When I got past security, I checked my phone again. Nothing. No voicemail, email, or texts from William. It had been two days since I’d spoken with him. Two whole days with absolutely no communication. I couldn’t believe it. And then the whole thing with Jeremy. So typical. The man I wanted was MIA, and the man I hoped never to see again was begging me to be with him. I would go crazy if I thought about it anymore. I pulled my headphones from my bag and turned the music way up. I wanted to forget everything—Jeremy, William, Darius, California. I just wanted to get home.
Finally my flight boarded. I sat down and held my phone in my hand. I’d have to turn it off in a few moments. One more text to William? Something to explain where I was?
I had the feeling he already knew. William was a smart guy. He’d figure it out.
Nine
The flight was four-and-a-half hours and I wasn’t nearly as comfortable on a commercial plane as I had been on William’s private jet. I was exhausted and weepy, and when I went to the bathroom, I realized I’d gotten my period. The day didn’t seem like it could get any worse.