Page 125 of Promise Me, Katie

“I don’t know about that.” Katherine pulled away, the pain of uncertainty weighing heavily on her heart. “I’m not sure if that’s even going to happen anymore.”

“But it has to.” Beth Ann grabbed her hands, careful not to squeeze the one that was still healing. “Katherine, he’s the one.”

Katherine lowered her gaze and shook her head in doubt.

“Youhaveto believe it,” Beth Ann urged. “You’ve come so far. Don’t give up hope. Anyone with eyes can see you two were meant to be together. And think about little Libby, too. She loves you so much.”

Katherine’s eyes filled with tears. For days, she’d been trying not to think about Matthew, let alone Libby. It was too painful.

“Have you talked to him yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“You should talk to him,” Beth Ann said. “I know he’s sorry, and I know he still loves you.”

“I don’t know how he could,” Katherine said, still unsure, even though Matthew had tried reaching out to her several times in the last few days. Calling her cell and her house, leaving messages she couldn’t bring herself to listen to. He even left a note on her front door when she didn’t show up for Grief Group.

When she didn’t respond to any of those attempts, he tried calling out to her one night through her open bedroom window. But every time he tried, she somehow found the strength to ignore him. “It’s probably not a good idea.”

“Of course, it’s a good idea. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because I don’t know if I can trust him.”

“You can trustmeagain after everything I’ve said and done, but you can’t trusthim?” Beth Ann shook her head. “That’s just stupid.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m sorry, butthatis the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Don’t you think that’s stupid, Zach?”

“Yeah, thatispretty stupid, especially hearing it fromyou, boss.”

“Boss?” Katherine dared to ask. “Does that mean you guys would consider coming back?”

Zach and Beth Ann looked at each other, then agreed it was what they wanted.

“Thank God,” Katherine sighed. “This place wouldn’t be the same without you guys.”

Beth Ann hugged Katherine again, then led her to the counter as Zach disappeared into the kitchen. They could hear he was cooking as they talked, but they didn’t know what. Soon, glorious smells floated through the air, and Katherine’s mouth started to water just as Zach came out with a small feast for them.

“You look like you haven’t eaten in days,” Zach said, setting down a plate with a double everything version of The Brown Lace Bagel, French toast with bacon, and a couple baskets worth of French fries served in a big mixing bowl. Next to the bowl, he set down a small plate of different sauces. “I’ve been doing a little inventing of my own.” He beamed with pride. “Try these and let me know what you think.”

“You’re a one-man cooking machine,” Katherine said, dunking a crispy French fry into one of the sauce cups.

“Isn’t he the best?” Beth Ann watched as Zach went over and cut slices of layer cake and pie to add to the counter of food. “Look at this amazing spread. He totally speaks my love language.”

As they ate, Zach shared stories about working at The Copperwall that had them laughing. Like the horrors of four women’s monthly cycles being in sync, bad attitudes aboutbad hair days, roller coaster mood swings, endless hours of conversation about shopping, and the random Tuesday when Lucy and Lyla spoke nothing but the made-up twin language they created as kids.

Eventually, Beth Ann said that they had to leave. “Sorry to run, but we made plans with a friend and need to get going.”

“That’s okay.” Katherine hugged them both. “I’m just happy you came, and we were able to work things out.”

“So am I.” Beth Ann smiled. “See you tomorrow, then?”

“I’ll be here bright and early.” Katherine smiled back. “And I hope I didn’t keep you too long. My apologies to your friend if you’re late.”

“It’s okay. They’ll understand,” Beth Ann said, glancing at the clock again before grabbing Zach’s hand and pulling him out the door. “Bye!”

“Bye, you guys!” Katherine called after them, then filled her mug with more hot water and dropped a fresh bag of peppermint tea inside. She hadn’t been alone for very long when she heard the door open. “Sorry, we’re closed!”

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