Page 9 of Hers to Marry
“Why don’t you marry Kat? She’s pretty, nice,andcancook. Can your girl cook? She doesn’t look like she knows how to boil water let alone turn on a stove.”
“Muriel!” Mary put her hands on the elder woman’s shoulders. “Don’t embarrass them. They’re old friends. Haven’t seen each other in ages.”
Muriel’s eyes went wide. “Friendship is the perfect foundation for romance. I married my best friend. Greatest lover I ever had.” She pinned a red-faced Drew with a stare and pointed her walking stick. “That’s what you’re going to be missing out on if you don’t marry your best friend.”
Kat sucked in her lips and fiddled with her hair that she managed to wear down in a puff ball at the nape of her neck, even though she had no idea Drew would be here tonight.
“Come on, Muriel. Let’s get you seated,” Mary said. She shot an apologetic smile to Kat. “Dinner’s ready, you two. Come and join us.”
When they had moved back into the kitchen, Drew faced Kat. “Sorry about that.”
“You’re sorry? You’re the one who will be missing out on—”
“Stop it,” Drew said in a warning tone but with a smile.
Kat laughed and held up her hands. “I surrender.”
“That was fast.” His eyes twinkled. “You’re usually not one to give in so easily.”
“The war’s not over yet,” Kat said in a saucy tone and sashayed by him.
“Had no idea we were at war.”
They all sat down to lasagna, garlic bread, and soup stolen from a recipe made famous by a chain restaurant.
“Kat, honey, why don’t you get the dessert.”
“Of course, Mom.”
Kat went to the refrigerator to retrieve the dessert.
“Now Kat makes the best desserts in town,” Muriel said with a grin. “I’ve told her before she should have her own bakery, but she doesn’t open one up.”
“Muriel, I told you she…” Mary shared a hesitant glance with Kat. “She’s happier at the bakery she’s at.”
“Happier?” Muriel eyed Kat suspiciously. “You don’t want to be your own boss?”
Kat handed each person a generous slice of cheesecake, willing her hand to be steady as she placed the small plates in front of everyone. “I have supervisory authority over the menu at the bakery,” she said weakly.
“Surely you’ve got more drive than that. Don’t let that Park girl outshine you.”
“Parker, Grandma,” Drew said in a weary tone.
“Kat has plenty of drive. It’s easier said than done,” Mary defended her daughter.
Kat sank into her chair and stared at the cheesecake, unable to lift her heavy head. It was all so overwhelming. She had tried opening her own shop, but it was plagued with problems from the start, and when her funding fell through, she had to close the doors—which never really opened. She lost a lot of money trusting the wrong businessperson.
Her ex.
It was a tough thing to get over, especially since it happened last year. The bank’s relentless pursuit of her for the balance of the loan kept the terrible ordeal fresh in her mind.
Kat felt a foot tap hers beneath the table. She glanced up. Drew sat across from her and wagged his brows once. She responded with a shaky smile. While Muriel and Mary were discussing their upcoming reenactment, Drew asked, “Want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
“Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not the end of the world. You can own your own bakery.”
“I did,” Kat said in a low voice.
