07

Kathie Jane

« Slow down with the champagne, » Jessica whispers. « You have a low alcohol tolerance, remember ? »

I let her take my flute of champagne away and squeezed my eyes close, feeling a little light-headed. « I can take champagne. »

Jessica snorted and lay down her equipment on the table. « Really ? How many fingers am I holding up ? » She waves her hand at my face too fast that all I saw was a blur of ten fingers.

« Are you trying to trick me into thinking that I’m tipsy ? »

She laughed. « Okay. But no more drinks for you. »

I purse my lips at her. « My boyfriend left me so I’m allowed to drink. »

« Do you want to have another tripping incident ? » She pointed to the next table. « There’s a guy over there you can plant your face on. »

I groaned. « I didn’t tell you about that so you can keep reminding me. »

« You deserve to have a little fun after Owen’s dick-move. »

At the mention of his name, my eyes darted down to my phone on the table. He’s gone completely MIA.

« Can I say something ? »

I look up, my smile reappearing. « I’m gorgeous ? »

« Puh-lease, that’s common knowledge. » She rolls her eyes playfully.

I bat my eyelashes. « I’m like sunshine ? »

She lets out a small laugh. « You’re not even trying. »

« What is it ? »

Jess looks down her purple painted nails. « You’ll be fine without Owen. »

My smile wavered a bit. « Yeah, I’ll be fine. I have friends to keep me company. »

« A ton. » She cracks her neck and blew out a breath, the first time she allowed herself to look exhausted. She scans the room and observes her assistants. She let them take over after she covered the important parts of the ceremony.

« Tiring job, isn’t it ? »

Jessica sighs, smiling softly. « Worth every penny. »

We watched couples dancing to a song that required swaying, proximity and a touch of romantic caresses. The husky and gravelly rock voice of Nathan’s brother Jett Forester – who insisted to play with his band on his older brother’s wedding – engulf the air with a sort of romance that slaps you across the face for being single.

Chassie was dancing with her son. Nathan, on the other hand, is being snapped up non-stop by jealous female guests. He grants them a minute, longer if you’re a relative. As of the moment, he’s dancing with his oldest sister Starlet.

Pretty name. And fitting too. Starlet Forester is a well-paid actress and their youngest brother is a vocalist more popular with the ladies. While his siblings took the career path with neon lights in it, Nathan the middle child took the road set by their parents. He took over the Forester Realty.

« Kathie. »

I turn to Jessica surreptitiously flinging a finger to the furthest table. « Never seen that guy before. »

My gaze came to rest at Cade Parkinson, alone in his table. He had his phone over his ear, his expression stoic. « Cade Parkinson. »

Her green eyes crinkled with amusement. « Oh. The guy you shoved your boobs at and whose crotch you shamelessly motoboated ? »

« Jesus. » I winced. « Don’t make me regret I told you about that. And I wouldn’t use ‘motorboat’ and ‘crotch.’ »

A finger traces her jaw. « It’s how I imagined it. »

I groaned. « No. It wasn’t like that. »

« Couldn’t he be anymore alone ? » Her lips lifted into a crooked grin. « You should talk to him. »

« I think he hates my guts. » I keep glum out of my voice.

She snorted. « What are you talking about ? Who hates you ? »

« That guy, apparently. »

« That’s just ridiculous. » She clicks her tongue, tapping a fingertip on her chin. « In his defense, though, you motorboated his—« 

« Jess. »

« What ? You motor—« 

« My nephew’s coming over. Try not to use motorboat and crotch in the same sentence. »

Jessica smirked. « I’m not a good influence around kids. »

« Just try. »

« Aunt Kathie, mommy said I get to stay with you on weekends. » He gives me a cheeky grin, fiddling with the sleeve of his tuxedo.

I giggled. « That’s great, buddy. »

Noticing that I wasn’t alone, Ethan sheepishly looked down to his shoes.

« Oh, you’re suddenly shy ? This lady here—« 

Jessica clears her throat as if to signal me that I’m omitting something.

I rolled my eyes. « Ethan, this beautiful lady here is my friend Jessica. »

She beams at him. « Hi, Ethan. It’s nice to meet you. » She stick out her hand.

Out of manners, Ethan shakes her hand. « Can I dance with you ? »

Jessica gave me a winning smile. « Sure. How can I say no ? Women would be losing their panties over you when you grow up. »

« Jess. » My voice held a warning tone. « Keep it PG-13. »

She looked puzzled. « What did I do ? »

« He’s four and a half. If he learns something inappropriate, his mother’s going to kill me, » I whispered.

« Oh, » slowly, she snaps her fingers. « Oh. I did mention lady underwear, » she whispers back, nose crinkling with realization.

We both turned to a confused Ethan.

« Come on, handsome. Let’s dance. » Jessica leaps off her chair and offered Ethan her hand which he took happily.

I watched them head to the dance floor. I’m torn between awe and a sinking feeling. I look around, desperate for company but saw my mother coming over instead. She was with a friend and her son.

Oh, no.

« Kathie, sweetheart, » she enthused.

I shoved the corners of my lips up and stood.

« Sweetie, you remember Carol, right ? » Mom sips on her champagne, stealthily wagging her perfectly groomed eyebrows at me.

I turn to Carol and the guy looking over the dance floor. « Of course, I do, » I chirped.

« Hi, Kathie. You’re growing more beautiful every time we meet. » Her eyes wrinkled, her earrings sparkling from the lighting.

« I can say the same thing to you. » I leaned and placed a hand over the corner of my mouth like I was telling her a secret.

She chuckles. « Oh, Kathie, you’re such a dear. » She tugs on her son’s sleeve. « Sweetie, I want to introduce you to the finest lady you’ll ever meet. »

He turns around slowly and slides his phone back to his pocket. He had one of those smiles that reaches his eyes naturally. « Josh Finnegan. Nice to meet you. »

« Kathie Lewis. » We shook hands.

Josh gestured to the dancing couples in the dance floor. « You wanna dance ? »

My mother’s smile grew. I’m not even entirely single and she’s ushering guys my way.

« Sure. » I took his hand and let him lead me to the dance floor.

We danced for a bit. Coaxing a laugh out of him is unchallenging. He’s laid back and… interested. When the song ended, I made sure to conclude the conversation and excused myself with a fancy bow that made him chuckle.

I glance over the direction of my mother talking with Carol. Now would be the time to hide. I have the feeling Josh is just first of a long lineup of guys she is setting for me. My mood dramatically lifted when I saw my way out.

I snuck to the furthest end of the table, waving at guests who said ‘hi’ along the way. « Can I join you ? »

Cade Parkinson lifted his gaze from his phone. The guy has his dark hair slicked back to perfection and he’s got a talent of wearing tuxedos very well. His eyes assessed me behind his glasses. « No, thank you. »

Uh, okay ? Wasn’t expecting that. « It wasn’t really a question. » I sat on the vacant seat across him.

« Why ask then ? » A finger pushes his glasses to the bridge of his nose. I wouldn’t say his tone was repulsive. A tad bit unfriendly, yes. The glasses gave him a shadow of mystery in him. Maybe, a little intimidating but that’s not something I can’t handle.

« My way of taking a seat anyways. » I grinned.

His lips twitched, head tilting slightly. « Shouldn’t you be somewhere else with someone else ? »

« What do you mean ? »

« There are guests waving you over to their table. I’m sure they’re dying to blab with you, » he pointed out.

I laugh at the straightforward remark. « Well, I want to seat with you. You could use some company, Cadey. »

« Excuse me ? » His brows knotted.

« Hmm ? »

« It’s Cade. »

« I know, silly. »

« You called me Cadey, » he deadpans.

I gave him an innocent smile. « Yeah, I did. »

He lets out an irritated sigh. « Is this a habit of yours ? Butchering people’s name ? »

« Nope. I developed a habit of calling you Cadey about a minute ago. » I bat my eyelashes in overstated innocence.

He shakes his head.

I hold up a hand. « In my defense, I’m the one saying your name. »

« In my defense… my name, » he says, his voice flat to match his poker face.