Page 24 of Imperfections Seduced
Kate turns and walks over to the fridge, frowning, and pulls out a can of ginger ale. “Yes, we are.” She looks down at the can and makes a weird face, almost like she’s offended. She’s not happy about something. I wonder what it is.
“It’s good to have you girls back together in this room with me, like when you were little. Kate, would you like something to eat?”
“No, thank you, Sophie, my stomach’s a little upset.”
“Can I get you something? Maybe some tea?” Sophie offers.
“That’s okay. I’ll just have a glass of ginger ale. I’ll be fine.” She pours the ginger ale into the glass and asks me, “Where’s Mom and Dad?”
“They went to a fundraiser one of Mom’s friends is hosting. They won’t be back till late tonight.” She does look like she’s not feeling well. She sits down at the kitchen table, and I spin my chair around to face her while Sophie finishes cleaning up and fixes my plate. Kate pulls out her phone and swipes her hands across the screen; her fingers are sliding across the glass screen fast and effortlessly. She’s so much like my mother—always well put together, not a hair out of place, head held high, perfect posture in her YSL pumps, with matching black bag and black and cream pantsuit.
“I didn’t know you were coming over. I haven’t seen you since we had dinner at Blue, two nights ago.”
“Yeah, well I’ve been busy with work and all. I was going to call you, but I’m decorating for a major event coming up in two weeks, it all has to be perfect, as these clients expect perfection and I will give nothing less than absolute perfection.”
“Absolute perfection, huh?” Sophie places the plate of food in front of me, and I can’t get the fork to my mouth fast enough, this food is so good. I close my eyes and savor every single bite. I stop eating and see Kate watching me.
“Cat, can I talk to you in the other room when you’re done eating?”
“Sure, but we can talk now while I’m eating. I can eat and talk at the same time.”
Sophie, sensing Kate wants to speak with me alone says, “I have a few things to do upstairs before I leave. Kate, if I don’t see you before I leave, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Sophie.”
Sophie leaves, and I’m curious to know what is so important that Sophie can’t be in the same room to hear. As soon as she’s out of sight, Kate starts in on me.
“What was that all about at the restaurant the other night?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why didn’t you tell me Ava was going to show up uninvited?”
“I didn’t know it was going to be such a big deal if she came. She is one of my closest friends; she’s like family to me.”
“Like family. She’s not family! It was supposed to be a pleasant family dinner.”
“And it was.” Why is she getting so worked up? I know she and Ava don’t get along, but come on.
“You know she doesn’t like me. She can’t stand it that I’m engaged to her cousin. She was rude to me, that girl hates me.”
“Kate, you’re exaggerating, Ava does not hate you. And when was she rude to you? I don’t remember one time during the night she said something rude or offensive to you.”
“All you had to do was read between the lines. I’m not stupid. ‘Where’s your ring, Kate? I had breakfast with him and he didn’t mention your name once.’ With her fake-ass southern accent carrying on about how much she knows her cousin and he would have told her this and that. Well, obviously she doesn’t know her cousin as well as she thinks she does!”
“You need to calm down—”
“I don’t need to do anything; the problem here is you’retoocalm. Why didn’t you say something to your friend when she was insulting me, youractualsister?”
“You don’t need me to defend you against Ava; you can hold your own with her. I’ve seen you do it plenty of times. Why are you so upset about what you think she was implying? It’s not the truth, is it? So why are you letting her get underneath your skin?”
“Forget it. I just thought that my sister would have my back while her friend was attacking me and my relationship with my fiancé. Nick is your friend, right?”
“Yes.”
“He cares about you and you care about him, right?”
I bite my lower lip and nod my head in agreement. I don’t know what to say to that question.
