Breaking Kate: The Acceptance Series (21 page)

“Mike, if she’s the one, I mean
truly
the one you’re meant to be with and spend your life with, she’ll forgive you. If it’s not meant to be, there’s a reason why. I think the key for you is going to be patience. I know you aren’t a patient man but you’re going to have to be. The ball is going to be completely in her court. Maybe if you’re comfortable with the girls next week, you might let them give you their perspectives; they won’t judge you, they aren’t like that.”

“Maybe.
That’s not a bad idea. I know she has all the control right now, and I’m okay with that. I would wait forever for her if I thought there was a chance she would take me back. Alright, enough sappy chick talk. We’re men, damn it! And seriously, right now we have major problems with the plans for this new building. Turns out the drawings for the courtyard overlap into the neighbor’s property line. I don’t know how the fuck they screwed it up but the architect really made a mess of this. It’s going to put a halt to the entire project because the courtyard was the selling point for the buyers. There’s no grass in this place so
this
was supposed to be the highlight. The plans are off by a lot, Daniel, and when we tell your dad he’s going to flip. The whole project is in jeopardy. On the plus side, the owner of the land is willing to sell, for a price, but then we need to utilize the extra space. I think they could use it to their advantage. They can add more parking and a park, making it a more desirable place to be. We could also add a gym and make the extra space an all-inclusive place for tenants to work out. There’s a lot of potential with this extra space; it could be a blessing in disguise. Raising the homeowner’s fees would be necessary for the amenities, but I think it would be a solid selling point. I had one of our office architects draw up a couple of ideas. Let me know which one you think is the best so we can take it to the big man.” 

Shit, this is going to piss my dad off to no end. He’s threatened to fire that architecture firm before. This is going to be the final straw and put him in a piss-poor mood for the weekend. It also may keep me from being able to go see Kate.
FUCK!

“Okay, let’s look at these, because I have some serious plans this weekend, and if my dad thinks this project is in jeopardy there’s no way I’m going to get to go anywhere. Then he isn’t going to be the
only
one that’s pissed.”

After about two hours of banging our heads together and going through new plans and old plans, we finally get a layout that will work way better than the original one. It seems like we can get the property at a fair price, and in all honesty, Mike not only catching this major screw up but coming up with a way better plan to fix it will open him up for a big promotion. My dad’s
been wanting to move him up past this jerk he’s been trying to fire, so this should give him the chance. Most likely, we’ll get all our fees back from the company that did the designs which will
more
than make a dent in what we have to pay out for the property.

“Mike, you really should think about going back to school. If you had an engineering or architecture degree you could really make a killing. I know you do well for yourself, but you have a knack for this business. Besides, the fact that you had this fixed a day before taking it to my dad is freaking incredible.”

“Thanks, but I’m not sure I’m cut out for school. That’s something my dad really wanted for me and I never really felt it. I was happy to go and keep an eye on my girl but I was really doing it more for her than for myself. Telling my dad his son wasn’t going to college would not have been acceptable. I guess one thing I gained from his death was the ability to skip school.” He looks sad so I try and change the subject.

“Well, this is going to get you big kudos with pops,
and
you saved my weekend, so I owe you one.”

“Daniel, is
this what you want to do? With your life, I mean. I know you’re good at it but does it make you happy?”

“You know, it’s therapeutic for me being outside most of the day, I don’t mind it. Eventually, I know I’m going to take over and end up being mostly inside in meetings, periodically checking out sites when I need to. I’m really happy just doing whatever. There’s never been anything that I’ve wanted to do more and I
definitely
don’t feel forced, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

“Yeah, I was. I guess I just wondered since my dad’s expectations weren’t what I wanted with my life if the same went for you. I’m happy that this is what you want for yourself; it makes things easier, trust me on that one. So, you ready to eat and play some pool? I am seriously starving right now.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last night was fun once we got the work stuff out of the way. Before I even got home, Kate sent me a message saying she was going to bed early and that she would see me this afternoon. I was supposed to meet her at her house at six, but my dad was so impressed with Mike’s plans he let us both leave early today. I already called Jess and told her I was going to get there early, so I’m meeting her at Connor’s to pick up her key so that I can surprise my girl. I figure some Chinese take-out, a couple of beers, and some fortune cookies and we should be set for an easy night in.

“Well, it’s about time you show your ass up down here! I’m all for assisting in romance but there’s only so much a girl can do before crossing a boundary you know?” Jess gives me a big hug with a huge smile on her face. “And for the record, can I also just say that I’m not the
only
one you made an impression on, Romeo. Our girl seems pretty happy this week and that has everything to do with you.”

“I can’t tell you how much it sucked to be away all week. It’s definitely not ideal to start a new relationship with so much distance between us, but I’m hoping that will change. We may have a project starting down here next month, and although I love my location up there, I wouldn’t mind spending the next couple of months down here if my old room is still available for me.”

Connor gives me a high five.

“Hell yeah!
I can only juggle two gorgeous girls by myself for so long, especially when I’m only allowed to sleep with
one
of them. Ouch, Jess. No need to get violent. There’s a time and a place for that, angel.”

Jess actually looks like
she packs one hell of a punch and I make a mental note not to piss her off, ever.

“Speaking of juggling girls, just a heads up, Mike’s going solo next week. He finally opened up about some stuff, and although it’s his story to tell, I’ll tell you this much—he’s going to try and make amends with his ex-fiancée. Says until he does, he’s backing off the chicks. I also told him we ran into Misty; he has some real regret there. Looks like once he gets his shit in order he may even go apologize to her. I hope he does. She was nice and really seemed like she might have been a good match for him.”

Jess looks confused. “Why do you think he should go talk to Misty if he’s trying to get back with his ex? Wouldn’t that be a little counterproductive? I mean, Misty already thinks he’s an ass and I can’t say I blame her.”

“Jess, I really hope his ex takes him back, but not only does he have to make up for breaking off their engagement and leaving her, but he
also
wants to explain his actions with girls the past few years. I don’t know too many girls that would look past all of that and didn’t want to tell him I think his odds are slim. What I
did
tell him was the truth. I told him if she’s really the one, it doesn’t matter what has happened between them; it will work out if it’s supposed to.”

Connor shakes his head. “Man, you really don’t believe that crap, do you? Daniel, he didn’t just break up with her, he cancelled a freaking wedding. She probably hates his guts, and who could blame her? I’m glad he’s getting his shit together, because as much as I love the guy, he can be a real douche bag.” 

Jess is shaking her head. “Well, I can’t
wait
to meet your douche bag friend; he sounds like a real winner. I know we all have that one friend, so I’ll keep an open mind and so will Kate. Is he coming down this weekend?”

Connor grabs her around the waist and spins her in a circle pulling her close.
“Hell no. This weekend is for us. We’re locking ourselves in and turning off the phones. Kate has Daniel and I have you. Mike can wait until next weekend to meet you guys. It will be better that way since you two will be looking sexier than all hell. Maybe he’ll realize he misses a woman’s company and get this shit with his ex over with and go talk to Misty.” 

We all nod in agreement. He has a
point, it’s time to move on.

I try to leave but Jess isn’t done with me. “Not so fast, lover boy. I want the details on this gumdrop business.”

Connor groans. “Let it go, Jess. Kate said it might piss me off.”

“Hell no, Connor.
I had to give my name as ‘gumdrop’ at Starbucks and the perv behind me had the nerve to ask me if I was a dancer at the strip club down the street. You can be mad about
that
. Now spill it, McCormick.”

I try and stifle my laugh, that’s some funny shit. “I can’t, I promised Kate. Don’t even bother protesting, Jess. If you want to know, ask her. I’m not the kind of guy who breaks my promises,
especially
the ones I make to my gumdrop.” I give her my best ‘don’t hate me’ smile.

“Okay, you win. I’ll get it out of her eventually, I always do. Enjoy your weekend.”

It takes me about an hour to pick up everything and get back to Kate’s place. She just called to see if I was going to be on time. I told her I was going to be about fifteen minutes early, but not to rush; I would just wait until whenever she gets home. Fortunately, she’s only about ten minutes away, so I’m sure she thinks she has plenty of time to come home and freshen up before I’m supposed to be here. Their condo is really nice; the builders did a good job. I especially love the way each master bedroom has its own bathroom. I can’t
wait
to get Kate in that giant tub of hers. Just thinking of the things I want to do with her in there makes me hard. I feel weird exploring uninvited but I want to get my stuff into her room so I don’t have to worry about it later.

Even if Jess wouldn’t have told me Kate’s room was on the right, I would have known; it smells like her. She has a bulletin board covered in pictures, all of her and Jess from different stages of their lives going all the way back to when they were kids. In one of the pictures, she must have been about eight and there are three kids. I’m thinking the boy is her ex. I know she said she knew him when she was young. There’s something familiar about him and I wonder if we played baseball together as kids or something. There are other pictures with her and a Reggie Bush wannabe looking guy. I don’t know who he is, but they look a little too close for my comfort. I’m guessing he must be Marc. Other than that, there are a few pictures of her with Connor, but I know those are harmless. I hear the garage door open and quickly rush downstairs, casually leaning against the counter drinking my beer. I hope I don’t scare her as she comes in the door. Luckily, the garage interior door opens right into a view of the kitchen so I shouldn’t scare her too badly.

The expression on her face is priceless when she opens the door and sees me standing there. She drops everything she’s carrying and runs to me. I quickly set my beer down, not a second too soon, either. Kate jumps up on me, wraps her legs around my waist, and her lips instantly find mine. She’s so fucking hot. Our tongues meet in a passionate frenzy, and she tastes like watermelon. I can feel her heart racing against my chest, her hands running through my hair. I squeeze her tight ass closer to me, letting her feel my excitement and she moans in pure pleasure. After possibly the most amazing kiss I’ve ever had, she slowly unwraps her legs and looks up shyly at me as she pulls away.

“Hi, boyfriend, I missed you.”

I give her a quick kiss on the lips, slowly running my tongue across her lips, tasting her.

“I can tell, girlfriend. I missed you, too, and you taste incredible. I hope I didn’t scare you.”

Smiling at me with that perfect smile of hers, she couldn’t look more beautiful if she tried.

“Nope, you didn’t scare me. I saw your truck so I knew you were here. I didn’t think you would be inside, but somehow I’m not surprised. I’m guessing Jess let you in? Oh, and I taste like watermelon Jolly Ranchers; we gave them to the kids at the center today.”

Kissing her again, sucking on her bottom lip, and caressing her gently, I lightly rub my hand in a circle on her back as I run my other hand through her beautiful hair. I give her just a few kisses and take in a deep breath. I love her scent and right now I’m loving her taste. Tomorrow I’m buying watermelon JELL-O and we’re going to have some fun with it.

“I met Jess at Connor’s and she gave me her key. I put it on the counter so that you can get it back to her since we won’t be seeing them this weekend. I haven’t been here very long, actually, just long enough to put the food down and put my stuff in your room. Oh, and long enough to give me some ideas of what I would like to do to you in that bathtub of yours.” I give her a smirk and she blushes. I love that I’ve been in almost every orifice of her body and yet I still make her blush. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that.