Forbidden Disclosure(47)
“Do you think we could talk for a few minutes? There’s a couple of things I want to say to you. I promise I won’t stay long.”
“Sure, I don’t mind.” Katherine slipped off her new coat and stepped out of her boots, then sat on a chair.
“Don’t be mad at me for this okay?”
Oh God, here it comes. Katherine braced herself for the incoming seduction line.
“I want you to finish school, Katherine. I’ve made some phone calls to the best fashion design school in New York. It won’t cost you anything and you’ll have a very nice place to stay. You’ll get all the privacy you want, and you don’t ever have to see me.”
“Daniel, are you serious?” Katherine was shocked. She totally didn’t expect this kind of offer. “I don’t have money, Daniel. You’ve been very generous but I can’t let you do all of this.”
“You have to go. I already paid for your tuition. You can start in the spring, and if it would make you feel more comfortable, I can get you your own house or apartment. Seriously, you only have to see me one other time once we’re in New York.”
“And why would that be?” Here it comes…
“To sing for me. One song per gift that I wrapped today.” Daniel was very serious.
Katherine looked around and counted. “Wait, I have to sing you thirteen songs?”
“Yes.”
“Just sing, nothing else?”
“Nope, that’s all I want, and I even rented a recording studio in Manhattan. I don’t like odd numbers so if you want to throw in another song, I won’t complain.” Now he was smiling.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything you want to know, I’m an open book with you.”
“If you saw Emily again, would you—“
“No, never. And as a matter of fact…” Daniel pulled out his phone, put it on speaker, and dialed the bar. The person who answered was definitely Emily.
“Emily, I don’t know if you remember me, my name’s Da—John Williams. I danced with you that one day.”
“Yeah, I remember. You were all over me, then dropped me like a hot biscuit!”
“I’m calling to tell you how sorry I am. I was upset and immature and used you to hurt someone that I care very much about. I was a pompous ass, and I’m sorry I was so mean to you.”
“That’s okay, sugar, you going to stop by?” Emily tried to use her most seductive voice.
“Good luck, Emily. I don’t think I’ll be stopping by, and if I do I hope to have Katherine with me.” Daniel hung up the phone.
“Have Katherine with you…”
“Look, I’m not going to lie to you. I would love to be with you some day. Sitting here on this sofa is very hard for me. What I want to do is throw my arms around you but I know you don’t feel that way. Well, now that I’ve completely made you hate me, I’ll leave. I know that this behavior was the last thing you wanted from me.” Daniel got up to go. “Have a nice evening, Katherine. Call me if there’s anything you need.”
“Wait, don’t go.”
“You want me to stay?” Daniel couldn’t believe he heard those words.
Katherine didn’t know what was coming over her. What she did know was that Daniel wouldn’t be able to stay there forever. If he left, she’d probably never see him again. I can’t live the rest of my life, never knowing…
"How long will you be staying in Ann Arbor?"
"Katherine, I'll have to leave soon, I have a business to run. But I'll make sure you're well cared after I go."
"Are you talking about a week? A month?"
"No just a day or two. I came to find you to tell you I was sorry. Clearly we want different things, but I'd rather just be your friend than nothing at all."
Katherine stared at his warm, dark eyes. She saw nothing but concern and compassion. What kind of guy would go through all of this trouble for a woman? Certainly a good one.
“You should stay for a few days. We have a trip to New York to plan. I’ll look up ticket prices and—“
“Pack your bags. We’ll leave this evening.” There was no way Daniel was going to let an opportunity like this leave. He finally was being given the chance to make things right.
“But there might not be—“
Daniel pulled out his phone again. “Carl, have the jet come to Michigan.”
“Daniel, I didn’t know how long you’d be. The jet is still there.”