Page 51 of Scooter's Endgame
Then she proceeds to lay all the food out on the island, and she wasn’t kidding. There’s easily enough food for four people, and all the dishes are personal favorites.
“Looks amazing, Kay. I have no idea how you pulled all this off in the short time we’ve been home, but I’m certainly not complaining.”
My stomach chooses this moment to grumble, lending credence to my words. Accepting the plate Kathleen holds out to me, I dish up a bit of everything. We tuck into our meal and the first mouthful has me moaning with delight.
“God, that’s incredible. I always enjoy your cooking, but damn, this is the bomb-dot-com. So good.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
We chat throughout dinner, enjoying the food and each other’s company, but as the evening progresses, Kathleen seems to be getting more fidgety. I, on the other hand, just want to get on with telling her how I feel. I don’t think there’s ever going to be a perfect opportunity, so I figure now’s as good a time as any. I consider for a moment what I want to say, then take the plunge.
“Kay, I –”
“Beckett, I’ve got something –”
As our words fall over each other, Kathleen gives a nervous laugh.
“Ladies first,” I say, tamping my own case of nerves down.
“No, it’s okay. You go ahead.”
“No, really. It can wait. What did you want to say?” Kathleen bites her lip and rubs at the counter, like she’s trying to remove a mark or stain. My heart drops to my well-fed stomach. “Kay – sweet pea – are you sure everything’s all right?”
I see her chest expand as she takes a deep breath before she speaks. In a rush, her words tumble out, one over the other, challenging my brain to keep up.
“I’ve been wracking my mind trying to find a way to say this to you, but I don’t think there’s a good way that ensures the outcome I want, so I’m just going to rip the Band-Aid off and say it, and if you don’t feel the same way then I’ll figure it out, but I have to say something because saying nothing isn’t working for me anymore –”
“Whoa, Kay, slow down. I can’t keep up with you. What do you need to say to me?”
At first, it doesn’t seem as if she’s going to reply, or that she even heard a word I said. Kathleen’s eyes focus on her feet as she scuffs one across the tiled floor. But then she simply puts my world on its head when she finally does answer me.
“For years I’ve harbored a secret I had no intention of ever sharing – mainly because I never imagined Jeff and I splitting up. But now that we have and I’m here, working for you, seeing you every day, being around you, and how nice you’ve been to Luke and me, it’s so hard not to say anything. And it may ruin things, but I can’t keep quiet anymore.”
“O – kay …”
Kathleen massages the back of her neck, looking everywhere but at me. Then blurts, “I’m in love with you. I think I have been since the day we met, but I was with Jeff. And honestly, even if I hadn’t been with him, I didn’t think you’d ever be interested in someone like me.
“But I need you to know how I feel so that I can move on with my life if you don’t feel the same. God, I can’t believe I’m saying all of this, but I also can’t not say it—”
The stream of words stops abruptly, her face a study in horror and something else I can’t define – fear or doubt maybe? She claps a hand over her mouth, her gorgeous eyes saying a million things I don’t understand.
Getting to my feet slowly so I don’t startle her, I round the counter to where she’s standing. I have every intention of telling her she’s not alone in how she feels, but what happens instead is I reach for her, pulling her in close, my mouth taking hers in a kiss so hot I’m surprised it doesn’t singe our eyebrows. It’s only when my brain is screaming for oxygen that I finally break the kiss. As she stands there, eyes glazed, breathing fast like she’s just done a full cardio workout, I cup her cheek and consider what I want to say.
“You are so beautiful, both inside and out. I think that now, just as I did that first day we met on the beach at the family day. On a beach crawling with people, you stood out like a glowing beacon for me. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. But you were with Gonzo and, despite thinking he didn’t deserve you, I would never have come between the two of you.
“The thing that has always stood out for me is how you treat others – the kindness and empathy you show people around you. Even absolute strangers. I remember how even Tommy, Abe and Alabama’s son, responded to you. That boy didn’t take easily to anyone in the beginning, yet he opened up when he was around you.”
The look on Kathleen’s face is priceless, and I’m not done yet. My hands drop lower on her cheeks to mold around her jaw, my thumbs brushing over the smooth skin. “In a nutshell, what I’m trying to say is, I love you too. I have from that very first time on the beach. And if you’d give me the chance, I’d like to spend the rest of my life showing you how much.”
Kathleen doesn’t respond right away. Standing still under her scrutiny, I give her time to process what I’ve just said. Warmth spreads through me as I watch hope bloom in her expressive eyes.
“You love me?”
“Yeah, sweet pea, I love you. More than I will ever be able to express.”
I rock back on my heels as she throws herself into my arms. Closing them around her, I hold her tight against my heart. The heart that beats for her.
“I never dreamed you’d feel the same way. When you offered me this job, I didn’t hesitate to take it. Yes, I needed the money, but it was the perfect excuse to be close to you. Not once did I think we’d end up here.”
