Breaking Kate: The Acceptance Series (11 page)

Jess gives Kate a big hug. “That’s my girl, always helping others. How did I get so lucky to be your best friend? Mark my words, boys. This world is a better place because my Katie Grace is in it!”

That is really classy that she did that. It makes me realize how much of a truly selfish person Vanessa was. If I had any free time it had to belong to her. I happily gave her my time and love but never once did I see her go out of her way to help anyone else, not even me. All she wanted were Coach
purses, platinum jewelry, and those red-soled shoes. I must have a complex about the shoes because I looked today to be sure neither of the girls was wearing them. I just really don’t want to be involved with anyone so superficial anymore.

“Kate, I think it’s incredible you make time to volunteer, especially with full time classes. Not too many people would take time to make a difference like that. Lauren will probably always remember this birthday, and if she’s really lucky, Natalie will make it an annual thing like your mom did for you. Imagine how your one act of kindness could make a lifetime of memories for her. I think it’s awesome.”

“Kate, one day when I take over my dad’s company I know all my charitable donations are going straight to your nonprofit so you better not give up on that dream.” I look at Connor, puzzled. He just shakes his head, indicating he’ll fill me in later. I don’t know much about Kate, but the more I get to know the more I like.

“No chance of that, Connor. Hopefully we’ll be up and running in less than three years. Even if you aren’t a mogul you can donate your beer money every now and then.”

Connor doubles over as if he’s in severe pain. “Harsh words there, my lady. I’m all for a good cause, but my
beer money
?” He winks at Jess. “I think I can give up my date money, though. I’m sure Jess won’t mind. After all, I’m all she needs. What do you say, Jess? Forgo the fancy dinners for a good cause?” Jess is giving Connor a really smug look.

“I think we can rotate one donation beer money, and one donation date money. Besides, I’m sure I’ll be donating my time more than anything and that’s the best gift of all.”  I’m really curious about what they’re discussing, but I know someone will tell me sooner or later.

Connor’s phone starts going off right as we get back to the car. “Hey, man, what’s up? We’re just leaving the beach now, who’s with you? Oh, okay. Well, we’re going to barbecue for Kate’s birthday. There’s plenty of food if you want to hang around. Yup, seems to be going really well. Yeah, me, too. Man, I totally agree. Cool, we’ll see you in a bit.”

“That was Jake. He and April are at the house. They’re going to stay and barbecue with us. I hope that’s okay with you guys.”

Jess and Kate look at each other and nod. “Of course it is, it will be nice to meet them before crashing their engagement party,” Kate says.

“They won’t stay too late; they have tickets to go see Wicked tonight. April has been trying to get Jake to take her for months.”

“Oh, we saw that last month; it was really good. They’ll love it!” Jess exclaims. I think she should be an actress; she really has a flair for the dramatic. I wonder what her major is.

I can’t wait to get back to the house. Jake and April actually did us a favor and brought over some decorations and are doing some decorating while we have Kate out of the house. Connor called Jake this morning and told him that Kate and I hit it off. Once Connor explained to Jake that I was really moving on from Vanessa, he and April offered to help make the day even more special since we were going to be out all day. I ordered some tulips and chocolate covered strawberries to be delivered after four, so hopefully we’ll get back just in time. As long as there’s no traffic we should be fine, considering it’s just about three fifteen now. Kate’s staring out the window and she looks a million miles away. I wonder what has her so preoccupied.

Questions flow through my mind on the way home. How come I already feel like I know her? Why does my body know her and respond so quickly to her and yet we don’t know each other at all? If ever I was going to believe in the theory of past lives it would be now. I wonder if it’s truly possible for two people to be destined to be together, something pre-determined by fate that we have no control over. I would give anything to know what she’s thinking even though my gut says those are thoughts I don’t want to be anywhere near right now.

Chapter 8 – Kate

Driving along the freeway on the way back to Connor’s house, the car is really quiet. Admittedly, I’m deep in thought and not really trying to participate in the conversation. Funny how your moods can fluctuate in an instant, trigged by the smallest things—a smell, a song, a memory—all can change your mood. Being at the pier was bittersweet; I always miss my mom when I’m there. Seeing Lauren and N
atalie made me feel so good, but when my friends started talking about all the good that could come from it, all I could think was,
what if this is the only good birthday she will ever remember?
Did I just do more harm than good? I’m trying to shake off the feeling by thinking about the day. It was a great day. For the first time since I was a little girl, I’m surrounded by people who care for me, that
want
to be with me on my birthday.

I’m a little embarrassed about the comments I made to Daniel on the Ferris wheel; I hope I didn’t come off too desperate. Hell, I’m in shock that I said anything at all. That was so completely out of character for me. I can rationalize it by saying that I’m just horny or that it’s been too long since I’ve enjoyed the company of a man, but in actuality I feel that it goes much deeper than that. I’m terrified and excited at the same time. I know that Daniel is going to be a big part of my life and I could love him so very easily. The problem is
, there’s a voice in the back of my head nagging at me that my story with Michael is far from over. I know that I still love him, even though I’m not in love with him. That fact alone makes me wonder if it’s smart to jump into this with Daniel. I don’t think I could ever be with Michael again. I hate him as much, if not more, than I care for him, but until I have final closure is it fair to Daniel to move forward? I know Jess thinks that I’m ready for this, but it’s an internal conflict I need to resolve. I just need some sort of sign to point me in the right direction.

Just as we get out of the car a delivery van pulls in. “I have a delivery for Kate Moore. Can one of you sign?” asks the delivery man.

“I’m Kate Moore, I can sign for it,” I tell him as he pulls out the most beautiful arrangement of tulips and a big gold box out of the back of the van. I sign his form and Jess takes the flowers. They’re gorgeous! I give him a tip and take the box from him. It’s from Shari’s Berries. I love chocolate covered strawberries! I open the card as we walk up the driveway.

Kate,

Happy Birthday to the only girl that’s ever made my heart skip a beat.  Thank you for sharing your special day with me. I hope all of your wishes come true today and forever more. May this be the 1st of many days we spend together.

All my love,

Daniel

I’m utterly speechless. Where did this perfect man come from? I just asked for a sign, didn’t I? Well I think I just got it. I have tears streaming down my face, happy tears, but how embarrassing. Now he’s going to know I cry at the drop of a hat.

“Kate, sweetheart, why are you crying? Are you okay?” Of course Daniel asks that as if on cue.

Before I can answer, Jess answers for me, laughing, “Of course she’s fine, those are her happy tears. You should know, Daniel, Kate cries at everything—sad movies, happy movies, Oprah, Ellen, the NFL draft, anything that makes her happy or sad the tears will flow; she’s like a freaking faucet. Don’t even think about watching
UP
with her, seriously, you’ll totally regret it”

I groan. She really didn’t have to go there. Daniel wipes my tears and asks, “I get it, and I’m glad you’re crying tears of happiness, but can I ask why you would cry at the NFL draft?”

“Well, they’re all so excited and waiting in anticipation, you know those guys have worked so hard to get there. Then you see their families and their moms and the visible happiness that emanates from them. It just makes me so happy to see those emotions, those dreams come true for them, I just can’t help it, I cry like a baby every single time. Does no one else cry at the draft? I find it really hard to believe I’m the only one.” Laughing, Daniel puts his arm around me as we head inside.

“I’ve never met anyone that cries at the draft, but I think it is pretty special that you do.” He kisses me on the forehead and I look up at him before we walk inside. Jess and Connor have already gone in, and I hear them talking to Jake and April.

“Daniel, thank you for the beautiful flowers and the strawberries. I love them and I love that you thought of me today. It really wasn’t necessary for you to get me a gift, especially considering how generous you’ve been today and we’ve only just met.”

“You’re more than welcome, Kate. I’m honored that you wanted me to spend the day with you. I wanted to do something a little extra special so you would know that you really mean something to me. I know
it’s fast, and please hear me when I say this, I have no expectations from you regarding what we were talking about up on the Ferris wheel. What you said was in the moment and so was what I said. What happens between us, when and if it happens between us, will be right when it’s meant to be. There’s absolutely no pressure, though. I want to get to know you and take our time doing so.”

Those eyes, his voice, his beautifully chiseled face, and his slightly crooked nose all make me want him even more. The best thing is that he radiates sincerity and I can tell he’s one hundred percent genuine. I asked for a sign, I think this is it.
Time to move forward and never look back. I’m ready. I know it and I’m blissfully happy at the thought.

“Daniel, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world today. Not to sound cliché, but you need to know that I finally feel like I have met someone who could literally sweep me off my feet. I’ve never met a man that radiates sincerity and seems so genuine. I’m scared and excited, and if it’s all the same to you, I am still looking forward to going to bed later this evening and not sleeping a wink.”
Oh lord, the look he’s giving me right now is burning a hole through my panties!
Instantly his lips are on mine. His tongue finds mine and the butterflies in my stomach take flight. Unfortunately, we’re interrupted almost immediately. 

“Hell yeah!
Connor was right. Daniel sure looks over Vanessa to me. It’s about damn fucking time!” Jake has made an appearance in the doorway and is yelling over his shoulder, I’m guessing to get April’s attention. He’s very good looking, just like his pictures. He’s an older version of Connor, just a little bit stockier; must be the years he played football. Jake and Connor both have the most amazing grey eyes, sharp jutted jaws, light brown hair with coppery highlights, and fantastic bodies. Where Connor is built like a baseball player and more of a pretty boy, Jake is built like a football player; he’s more rugged but both of them are amazingly sexy.

“Don’t pay any attention to him,
Kate, he’s just being obnoxious because he can. I’m April, it’s really nice to meet you. I’m sure you have figured out that this loudmouth is my fiancé Jake.” April appeared pretty quickly, she must have been worried she was going to have to diffuse a fire. Thankfully I know how to take a joke.

“I’m Kate, nice to meet you both. For the record, I sure hope he’s over Vanessa; I hear she was quite the peach.” I wink at Daniel as April wraps her arm though mine.

“I think we’re going to get along just fine. It’s nice to see the guys with girls for a change. I can finally have some company that isn’t dressed like a whore and trying to get one of them in the sack!”

I notice that there are streamers, balloons, and a Happy Birthday sign up as we walk through the house.

“Did you guys do all of this for me?”

“Yup,” comes Jake’s booming voice from behind me “The guys called this morning and said that things last night took an unexpected turn for the better. Daniel wanted to do something special for you, but Connor came up with the idea for decorations. I, however, am the master because I got it all done; you can just call me GOD.”

April slugs him in the arm. “Some master planner you are. That consisted of ‘Okay, babe, I brought the bags in, now hop to it’ with a slap on the ass before you went to get your beer. It’s okay, Jakey, I love you no matter what, but don’t even
think
about having more than three beers or we won’t make it to Wicked. If we miss it, you’ll be attending your funeral instead of your engagement party, got it?”

I like her, she’s funny. They’re really cute together; you can tell they’ve been together for a long time.

In the kitchen, Jess and Connor have already started setting up food. They must have done all of this prep last night or this morning. I’m getting misty-eyed all over again.

“When did you guys prepare all of this?”

Jess smirks at me. “Oh, last night after everyone left. We have all of your favorites, too—marinated chicken breasts, corn on the cob, and baked potatoes with all the fixings. For desert, only the best for you—a chocolate cake with fruit basket filling and white chocolate buttercream frosting from The Bread Basket. Yes, I know I rock, but Daniel actually did me a huge favor and picked up the cake on his way down last night. Once the party was over we brought it in and put it away. A birthday isn’t a birthday without a cake and there’s no point in having cake if it isn’t your favorite!”

More tears, I can’t help it. I’m a basket of emotions today, but then again I usually am on my birthday.

I wrap Jess in a huge hug. “You know I couldn’t love you more if I tried, right?”

“I know, and the feeling’s mutual. Let’s have a drink and get this party started!”

Just then my phone starts to ring.
Shit, it’s my dad; I can tell from the ringtone. Dead Man’s Party
by Oingo Boingo is his assigned song. It reminds me not to let my guard down whenever I talk to him. I take a deep breath, knowing I have to answer it.

“Kate, I know that’s your dad by the ringtone. If he starts with you, tell him to take a flying leap off a short pier. I mean it, today is the day he always fucks with you. No more. Tell him off—it will make you feel better.”

I crack a half smile at her as I feel the tension in the room as I answer, “Hello, Dad. I’m sure you’re very busy today. Yes, of course I appreciate you taking the time to call. Oh really? Well I’m sure it
is
cold in the Hamptons in January, that’s why people summer there. I know you don’t appreciate sarcasm; I was just making an observation. Sorry if it sounded insulting. No, Dad, not trying to fight at all, just trying to enjoy my birthday. Yes, it’s today. I’m pretty sure, considering that’s what it says on my birth certificate. I know you always think it’s tomorrow. It’s okay, Dad, I’m used to it. That’s not necessary, why don’t you donate it in my name instead? Okay, well if you’re going to transfer it to my account I’ll probably just donate it myself. Thank you. In two weeks? Sorry, Dad, that doesn’t work for me, I know your schedule is tight but I’m already committed to a black tie affair. Yes, even in college I am making connections just like you taught me. Of course, three weeks sounds fine. Well, I really have to go, just email me the details. Bye, Dad.”

Jess hands me a shot of tequila, “Down it now, you look like you need it.”

She’s right, I do. I down it and immediately she pours me another and I down that, too. My dad sure does know how to push my buttons. He
never
wants to meet, I wonder what he wants?

Connor comes up and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Hey, baby
girl, that sounded more intense than the last time I heard you talk to him. Are you okay?”

Even before I can answer Jake cuts me off, “Sorry, couldn’t help but overhear, but did your dad just call you on your birthday and really not remember that today is your birthday?”

Sighing I tell them the story, “Every year my dad calls, sometimes it’s on my birthday, which he doesn’t remember until I or Jess subtly remind him. Sometimes he will call a few days before or a few days after. He gets the general time frame down, but even with technology and assistants he’s never made it a priority to know the day. We aren’t close, never have been. Our relationship has more to do with business and money than anything. We had a huge falling out three or so years ago and it’s gotten worse since then. I don’t like him, and do my best to not talk often, but I
do
love him because he’s my dad and the only parent I have left.  As usual, he let me know he’s sending me an obscene amount of money for my birthday which I don’t want, but he never listens. Last year, I donated most of it to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. This year, I plan on donating it to The Autism Society and The Help Group. Why he continues to throw ten grand at me on my birthday every year is beyond me, I could care less for the money.”

April whistles. “Wow, that’s a lot of money. Your dad must be loaded. Am I the only one here who doesn’t come from money?”

Connor smiles gently at her. “Afraid so, but we know that you’re not after Jake for his money. Besides, it gives us the ability to say we have diversity amongst our friends.” He starts cracking up and Jake throws an apple at him.

“Leave her alone, Connor, she’ll be just as well off as we are pretty soon. In a few months, April Simpson will be April Houston and the fancy degree she has won’t matter a bit because I want her barefoot and pregnant in my kitchen, pronto.”

I almost choke on the drink Jess just poured me and Jess and I exchange uh-oh looks as April shoves Jake hard,
real hard
. “Jake Houston, we have talked about this and there’s no way in hell you’re knocking me up anytime soon. You better get it out of your thick head and quickly. Also, while we’re on the topic please get this in your big, fat head. I am
not
having more than three kids. I grew up in a house of seven children, you grew up with two. While you like being around my big family, you didn’t grow up in it. I did. God bless my mother; she has the patience of a saint, but that will not, I repeat WILL NOT be me. Got it?”