Worth the Trouble(18)
“Good morning.” Hank nodded at Cat before sitting beside Amy. He met her gaze, which she prayed meant he hadn’t read her journal. Surely he’d be too uncomfortable to look her in the eye if he had.
“For some more than others,” Cat muttered. Wistfully she once again wondered if, in another place and time, she could have had a relationship with Hank.
When Amy leaned nearer to him, pride urged Cat to retreat and regroup. Jealousy was never attractive, and she’d be damned if she let anyone see it affect her, especially when she didn’t understand where it was coming from. “I’m going to make myself a plate. Can I bring anything back for the table?”
Thankfully, everyone declined. She stood and sashayed toward the buffet table inside, thankful years of walking runways ensured her departure would look graceful and sexy even when her legs felt a bit wobbly. Amy might have been able to boast an amazing set of “girlfriends,” but Cat had great-looking, mile-high legs, and she wasn’t shy about using whatever assets she had at her disposal.
The aroma of bacon and sausage made her gag. No big loss considering bacon hadn’t been part of her diet for a decade. Given how many liquid calories she’d consumed last night, she should refrain.
She surveyed the fruits and yogurt, but then Dr. Wexler’s weight-gain prescription tempted her to consider the basket full of warm muffins. Oh, screw it. She needed something heavy to absorb the remnants of alcohol in her system. Without allowing time for hesitation, she snatched a chocolate chip muffin from the basket and took a bite.
“Once again you’re the most glamorous woman in the room,” chirped a familiar voice.
Startled, Cat turned to find Vivi standing at her shoulder.
“Please speak softly.” Cat rubbed her temple, grimacing. “I’m nursing a big headache.”
“I thought you seemed a little drunk last night. Trying to deflect attention from your hangover with this attention-grabbing outfit?” Vivi tilted her head sideways. Suddenly she glanced toward the porch and back at Cat, her expression knowing. “Or is it something more interesting? Is Hank the reason for this sexy getup?”
Cat couldn’t hide her surprise. She cast a quick glance toward the veranda.
“Spill, Cat. Did something more happen between you two last night?” Vivi bit her lip and, with a hopeful glint in her eyes, squeezed Cat’s arm. “Hank probably feels comfortable with Amy, but she’s not right for him. Want me to run interference?” Vivi’s eyes radiated girlish conspiracy.
“I know you believe in love and destiny, V, but don’t go looking for it for me.” When Vivi failed to appear dissuaded, Cat added, “And don’t expect me to find it with Hank. You make me regret ever telling you about that old kiss.”
Vivi shrugged off the comment and threw her arm around Cat’s waist. “It’s okay. I know you don’t mean to be surly to me the morning after my wedding. Now that we’re actually family, I’ll cut you extra slack.” Vivi dropped the subject of Hank and eyed Cat’s plate. “You really don’t know a thing about how to make the most of a buffet, Cat. Pathetic, that’s what your plate is. Pathetic.” She smiled and elbowed Cat aside. “I’ll show you how it’s done.”
Cat barked a genuine laugh, which felt great. “I’ll see you back at the table.”
When Cat returned to her seat, Amy’s radar practically reached across the table and touched her.
“So, Cat, Vivi says you two have been friends since eighth grade. This marriage is really a family affair, isn’t it?” Amy sipped her tea. “And your father’s speech and gift were so touching. I can’t wait to tell all of our friends back at work. Everyone’s thrilled for her, although we worry she’ll be looking for a job on the Upper East Side soon.”
Cat habitually managed her own awkward feelings by donning a mask of quiet confidence. Apparently Amy managed hers by becoming chatty.
“I doubt she’s planning to switch schools. She’s pretty loyal.” Cat forced a pleasant smile while speaking with the attractive girl who’d caught Hank’s eye this weekend. “Astoria’s only a thirty-minute commute from David’s.”
“I hope you’re right.” Amy then smiled a genuine, warm smile.
Cat wanted to hate her, but couldn’t. It wasn’t Amy’s fault Cat had tossed Hank aside. Cat had many flaws, but blaming others for her own problems wasn’t one of them.
Although life looked challenging today, Cat didn’t need Hank or anyone else to help her turn things around. She alone would figure out how to make the best of her situation—whatever it turned out to be—and move on. It was simply a matter of discipline.