Page 11 of Coveting Catherine

CHAPTER EIGHT

Catherine crammed a piece of pepperoni pizza in her mouth. The hotel rented out by the week, and Catherine scanned the housing ads, hoping to find an affordable apartment for her and Melody soon. Her mom stayed with Jake to help him recuperate from a gunshot wound to the chest. Eventually, she might move back in with them.

Mentally doing the math, Catherine calculated how much rent went for in Seattle and cringed. By the time she put down a first and last month payment, plus a deposit, it would be tight, but she’d manage. Catherine had already called Elizabeth, the hospital’s former administrator and her new friend, and asked her to speak with the hospital's new administrator about retaining her old job again. Catherine quit Seattle Health and started working with Kassie, her best friend--ex best friend, hiring nurses for Chase's hospital. Obviously, she refused to continue working with a traitor.

Catherine's hackles rose at the thought of her friend in Ireland living the good life on the honeymoon of her dreams while she and Samantha lived through hell. The betrayal stung at the knowledge Kassie didn't warn either of them. Her mind fought with her body. Her heart said to talk to Kassie and hear her out. Her brain said, screw that. She’s your best friend. Her loyalty belonged to you first, and not to the team. Poor Samantha and LJ attended counseling after James Stanton held them at knife point and gun point when he tried to grab Emma. Samantha and LJ moved in with Edie because Samantha suffered from anxiety going into her salon.

Catherine moved to the kitchenette and grabbed another slice of pizza. She scrolled through her phone, searching for a reasonable divorce attorney. A knock on the door made her place the pizza back in the box and answer it before it woke Melody up. She removed the chain and cracked the door open. Leo stood in the doorway.

“What are you doing here?” Catherine's eyes narrowed. Leo was the last person she wanted to see. The pain in her chest at his betrayal ached to the point she rubbed underneath her collarbone as if to smooth it away.

“I came to check on you. I’m worried about you,” Leo explained.

“Really? I'm surprised you didn't call Kassie and discuss it with her. Since you two deemed it appropriate to keep my husband's status away from me,” she didn’t bother to disguise the hurt in her voice.

“It wasn't like that, Kit Kat.” Leo stepped forward, making Catherine step back into the room. He scanned the dingy space and the bags sitting half unpacked. He scowled, showing his disapproval of her choice of hotels. It wasn't her first choice, but she needed money for rent and a deposit to find a new place. She refused to waste a dime on temporary housing. “Kassie promised before she knew what we hid. It isn't her fault. We put her in a difficult situation. On another note, she cared for both men and gave us a place to hole up until they determined how to make their presence known.”

“Don't you dare call me Kit Kat. You knew the day you returned when you called me to the porch,” Catherine accused, swiping at the tears threatening to fall.

Leo remembered the day vividly. Everyone was thrilled the team found their way back to Serenity. For Kassie and Chase, it became the catalyst for their happily ever after. For him and Catherine, it was their lost opportunity for a second chance.

Leo slowly approached Catherine in the kitchen. “Catherine. Could I speak to you on the front porch?”

Catherine finished drying the dish and smiled at him. He opened the door and mentally steeled himself for what he needed to do. His stomach tied up in knots as he practiced what to say to her, knowing she wouldn’t understand. Wishing he spent more time with her to have more memories to fall back on, he made his way to the end of the porch.

Catherine smiled, making him feel even worse as she rushed toward him. He crossed his arms and stared at a point above her head. The lump in his throat grew bigger as he reminded himself, she was no longer his.

“I was so worried. I'm glad you and the team made it home safely.” Catherine struggled with something to say. Leo's jaw clamped shut. His mouth set in a firm line.

“I asked to speak with you because I've done some thinking. It's not fair of me to ask you to relive our past when my job requires me to work in dangerous situations. You have a kid. She needs stability and a father who can give her everything.”

Catherine stepped forward, “Leo, I've reevaluated things too, and I?—"

“I agree with you. It's not good for either of us to cling to the past. You'll never be able to get over losing your brother. I'm focused on getting my company up and running. I won't have time to commit to a relationship. I agree, we should remain friends.”

The hurt in her eyes felt like a knife to his gut. Catherine faltered a moment before turning and leaving him standing on the porch. He struggled to keep from running and pulling her into his arms. No. Ash held the privilege and he needed to accept the fact Catherine would never be his.

“Yes,” Leo admitted. “I remember how distraught you felt when you found out he died. I knew you and Ash needed time to figure things out.”

“Oh, you have no idea,” Catherine's voice cracked.

“I'm sorry Kit—Catherine. I didn't bring back Olaf to you. I'm happy we rescued Ash and Whiskey. We still have questions we don't have answers for, but I'm happy you get a second chance for Melody to meet her dad.” Leo struggled with something to say.

Catherine nodded as she crossed her arms in front of her. “As you can see, Melody and I can fend for ourselves. I'm tired and have a lot of stuff to do, Leo. Is there anything else?”

Leo's hands went to his waist as he faced her. He struggled with his words for a moment before his chest exhaled, “Claire said you agreed to discuss Ash and therapy for the entire family. It's important you attend to understand what he's gone through.”

“Whatever you think is best, Leo. I guess some things never change.”

Leo wasted no time invading her space. “Damn it, Kit Ka— I owe it to Ash to give you time to work things out.”

Catherine didn't stop the tear running down her cheek as she backed up against the wall to put space between them. Her body trembled in fear, as he loomed over her. She closed her eyes tightly waiting for the punch to her face. No, this is Leo, not Ash, she reminded herself. “You didn't listen to me when I asked you to watch out for my brother. My friend and you decided what's best concerning my life and my daughter's without consulting me. First, you left my family to deal with losing Olaf and you didn’t even show up for the funeral. You're the reason Olaf died, and you weren't man enough to look us in the eyes. Then you go on a mission, find my dead husband, and all you can do is apologize for keeping yet another secret from me. It's best if we stay away from one another. I don't need Ash to question anything concerning us. As you stated, we’re friends, and I use the term loosely. As far as I'm concerned, our friendship ended when I discovered your secret. You can let Kassie know I feel the same about her.”

Leo's hand went out to draw her closer. She avoided his touch as the heat of her gaze made him flinch. Scanning the room, he stared at the tiny bundle curled on the bed. He swiped his jaw as he attempted to find something to say. Leo opened the door and stared into the parking lot. “Can I at least convince you to go to another hotel?”

When Catherine's silence remained her answer, Leo nodded before closing the door behind him.

Catherine leaned against the metal barrier separating her from the only man she ever loved. It was only a matter of time before Ash found her and made his threats. She already stopped at the bank and removed as much money as possible. Previously, Ash kept a heavy eye on the bank accounts, and she wanted to have an escape route to get Melody to safety. Leo's life hung in the balance, too. If she disappeared and left a message for Leo, Ash's blackmailing scheme ended. She didn't want to leave Serenity or her mom or Leo behind. Ash left her no choice.

---