Page 74 of Dreaming of You

Chapter Fifteen

What the hell had he done?Barrett wondered almost three weeks later when the reality of not seeing Kate had sunk all the way in. It wasn't just that he hadn't seen her outside of work; he hadn't even caught a glimpse of her going in and out of the building. And he didn't like it.

He should like it.

He should be happy she'd agreed to stop before things got more complicated between them, before they got more involved, before there was no hope of avoiding a painful end.

But this felt painful, too.

Sitting back in his office chair, he stretched his arms over his head, then glanced at his watch. It was almost four. He had no more clients coming in today and tomorrow was Friday. He couldn't wait for the work week to be over. Although, the looming weekend didn't make him feel any better. He was dreading the empty days, when he would have too much time to think and to feel.

His entire life seemed to be cloudy and gray. And it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why. It was Kate.

She'd brought color and laughter, fun and hope back into his life. She'd made him want more than he'd wanted in a long time. He missed talking to her. He missed seeing her smile. He missed hearing her crazy stories. He missed kissing her.

A knock came at his door, and he straightened in surprise. Jackie had left an hour earlier, after his last client. "Come in," he said.

"Hi, Barrett." Maggie walked in the door, giving him a tentative smile.

He got to his feet. "Maggie. Are you looking for Kate?"

"No. I just saw her. She's upstairs in her office, working away on the final details for our wedding this Saturday. She's doing what she does, trying not to look completely miserable."

He didn't know what to say to that. Fortunately, Maggie didn't seem to expect an answer.

"Kate told me that the two of you aren't seeing each other anymore and that it happened the night of the shower. I think I'm partly responsible. When I said what I said to you, I was sort of joking."

"You were not joking; you were serious. You were looking out for Kate."

"Okay, I was, but I stuck my nose where it didn't belong. It wasn't my business. I apologized to Kate, and I also wanted to tell you I'm sorry. What you and Kate do is your own business. And I should have kept my mouth shut."

"You only reminded me what was at stake. And I don't want to hurt Kate."

"But she's already hurting. I probably shouldn't tell you that, but it's true. Anyway, I just thought you should know." She turned and walked toward the door, then paused. "Kate is an amazing person. I hope you realize just what you're missing out on." She blew out a breath. "Okay, now I'm done."

As she left his office, he sank back into his chair, thinking about what she'd said.

Maggie was wrong.

He knew exactly what he was missing out on; he just didn't know what to do about it.

* * *

Maggie and Jessica's Valentine's Day wedding went off without a hitch—two beautiful brides and their handsome grooms exchanging their vows in a beautiful church in the Presidio.

The reception at what had once been the Officer's Club was also going well. As Kate wandered through the room, smiling at her friends, checking on details, she felt a little teary-eyed.

Maggie and Jessica were the last of her close circle of friends to get married. They'd had so much fun the past couple of years, sending everyone off to their future in grand style.

And this was the last wedding.

Well, she supposed one day she'd have a wedding—maybe.

Or maybe her destiny was to put everyone else together.

She sighed at that depressing thought.

"Kate," Jessica said, striding toward her in her beautiful dress. "Thank you again. Everything has been perfect."

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