Ties That Bind (17 page)

Kate busied herself with the kitchen staff
during the ceremony. The reception would be immediately following,
so there was no time to be melancholy. Just as the final touches
were being put into place, the wedding party was forming a
receiving line. Kate knew guests would begin filtering in any
moment now, so she quickly issued last reminders to the
servers.

Dinner was soon underway. Tara found her long
enough to crush her in yet another hug and to whisper heartfelt
thanks. Jack’s parents stopped her to tell her what a bang-up job
she’d done on the wedding. She’d resisted the urge to hug them and
instead bowed her head and offered a humble “Thank you.” Maybe one
day she could meet them as she truly was – their granddaughter.
Maybe not, she thought ruefully when she caught Jack’s glare.

There was an entire side of the family she
was meeting today. She wondered what it would be like to have grown
up with cousins her own age. For years, she had watched Rachel
Cooper on television, admiring the young reporter’s tenacity. It
was a little strange seeing her now and realizing they were
cousins. Would they have been friends?

Kate took a moment to sneak a strawberry
decorated in a chocolate tuxedo, content to watch the sun sink over
the city in solitude.

“You know, someone as breathtaking as you
really shouldn’t be alone.” A voice she’d know anywhere whispered
low in her hear. Lightening shot through her veins and she whirled
to face him.

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh please don’t tell me you want me to go.
It took me twenty-two hours to get here just to dance with you at
this wedding.”

“You shouldn’t have done that. Oh I’m so
happy you’re here,” she threw herself into his arms.

He chuckled softly, trailing kisses along her
ear, her neck, her jaw. She threw caution to the wind and caught
his lips with hers, kissing him as if her very soul depended on the
connection.

“I missed you, too.” He whispered, his lips
continuing on their journey across her cheeks, her eyelids, her
forehead.

“You have no idea how much I needed to see
you today.” She wanted to tell him everything but knew she’d start
crying if she did. So she left it at, “It’s not been my best day
ever.”

“You going to tell me why later?” He guessed
the reason for her hesitancy had something to do with the current
setting.

“Promise,” she nestled closer to him. “So why
are you here?”

“I’m Tara’s present to you. Her way of saying
thank you for all you’ve done.”

“I knew I liked her.” Kate smiled and took a
deep breath. Man he smelled good.

“You look amazing, you know.”

“So do you. I like the tux.”

“I love the dress. I might ask you to wear it
again when it’s just the two of us.”

“I was sad you wouldn’t be able to see
it.”

“So now you can be happy.”

“You have that effect on me,” she murmured
contentedly. His lip curled into a smile.

“Would you like to dance?”

“I would love to.” She allowed herself to be
led to the dance floor. He pulled her into his embrace,
effortlessly leading her in a waltz. Through the fog of joy and
desire, Kate was vaguely aware of Jessica and Liz’s smiles and
waves. She met Tara’s grin with a mouthed, “Thank you.”

If there were other details of the wedding to
be seen to, Kate missed them. All that mattered for the rest of the
night was Gavin and the fact that he was there, in her arms. If
only for this one night. She didn’t even want to ask when he was
going back or for how long. Those details could wait for reality.
This was her fantasy.

“Do you want a drink?” Gavin grazed her neck
with his lips as he asked.

“A glass of wine would be lovely,” Kate
followed him to the bar. “Blue Valley, please. It’s all I drink
now. Anything white.”

“I’m so glad that’s going well,” he tossed
his arm over her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. “Hey Jack,
congratulations, sir.”

Gavin’s smile at the sight of the groom
quickly faded when he saw the look Jack was giving Kate. He
immediately assessed the situation and nodded as if to say, “So
that’s how it is.”

“Thank you,” Jack acknowledged stiffly.

“You know, it’s probably not as sordid as you
think,” Gavin addressed the issue head on. “Why don’t you set it
aside for now and the two of you can talk when you get back?”

“You knew.” It was an accusation. Jack
transferred his glower to Gavin.

“That’s it,” Kate growled low, stepping in
between the two men who formed her world. “You have two choices
Jack. You can mind your manners or you can see to the clean-up
yourself. Or have you forgotten that I am your wedding
coordinator?”

Kate could see Jack mentally tabulating the
bill from the Ritz if it wasn’t left in the right shape. Or maybe
he was trying to imagine Tara’s reaction if Kate disappeared now.
Either way, he gave them a terse nod and walked away.

“Not your best day?” Gavin arched an eyebrow,
his lip twitching. “My dear, I think you understated it.”

“Yeah, he didn’t take it so well.” Kate
gratefully accepted the glass of wine he offered.

“Why on earth did you tell him today of all
days?”

“The son of a gun figured it out. I think he
saw my reflection next to his and it just clicked into place. It
was kind of scary actually; I thought he was having a stroke or
something.”

“Would have served him right.”

“I’m trying to be more gracious than
that.”

“Are you succeeding?”

“Not really.” Kate quickly changed her frown
to a smile at the sight of their friends approaching.

“Gavin!” Liz stood on tiptoes to kiss Gavin
on the cheek. “How long are you gracing us with your presence?”

“Only a few days, unfortunately.” Gavin
answered Liz, but his eyes were on Kate. “But I promise to be back
in three weeks, tops.”

“Gavin! You should sneak Kate up to Napa
while you’re here. It’s unbelievable up there.” Jessica also had to
stand on tiptoe to wrap her arms around Gavin’s neck.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Kate agreed. “You
would like it.”

“I’m yours to do with as you will,” he
twirled Kate playfully before tucking her back up next to him.

The rest of the night passed in a blur and
Kate soon found herself in the thick of cleanup. Luckily, she had
an amazing crew, which included her group of friends. They were
cleaned up and out of there in short order. Gavin had rented a car
and drove them to go pick up Ty, which he took care of so Kate
wouldn’t get caught in a long conversation. She worried a little
about him driving, remembering how thoroughly exhausted she’d been
after her own flight. He seemed to fare a little better than she
had and managed to get them back to her loft safely.

He walked her to her door. She wearily
unlocked the door and kicked her heels off the second she’d crossed
the threshold. It took her a second to realize he hadn’t followed
her in. She turned to question him with her eyes.

“Should I go?”

“I’d like to think we have a certain amount
of self-control,” she pulled him through the door by his jacket
front. “But either way, there is absolutely no way I’m letting you
out of my sight while you’re on this side of the globe.”

“Fair enough,” he grinned devilishly, kicking
the door closed behind him, dipping his head to kiss her. Ty
practically quivered with excitement. It was obvious he remembered
the one who’d sprung him from doggie jail. Gavin pulled away from
Kate long enough to kneel before Ty. He seemed to be asking for
something as he caught the dog’s head in his hands, scratching Ty’s
face with his thumbs. Ty trembled at his touch. Kate could
sympathize. Gavin had that effect on her, too.

“Now go on, you silly beast. I’m going to ask
my girlfriend to dance.” He put on a CD with an ease that made her
wonder how he knew his way around her stereo so well. Come to think
of it, that wasn’t her CD.

“Do you keep your own music here?” Kate tried
to remember how he’d even gotten a key to her apartment.

Gavin gave her a devilish grin and merely
held his hand out in an unspoken request.

“But we have danced all evening.”

“That was one kind of dancing. This is
another.” With that, he pulled her into his arms, their bodies
melding together as they swayed gently to the slow songs in the
background. She realized he was right. A waltz in public was
certainly different than this. For instance, she was now free to
run her fingers through his hair. Her hands could choose to cling
to his shoulders or even rest on his arms, relishing the feel of
each muscle in them. There was no pretense of formality now and she
could nuzzle his neck without fear of reprimand.

A part of Kate could have danced with him all
night. Another part wasn’t sure she could take much more. Every
move was slowly stoking the fire growing in the air between them. A
third part was so tired she wasn’t sure she could stand on two feet
much longer. She knew if she was tired, he must be even more
so.

“Do you have clothes in your car?” She
finally asked.

“My suitcase is actually in your room,” he
admitted sheepishly.

“Presumptuous much?”

“Just hopeful. I mean, I still intend to not
rush things. I just don’t want to leave you alone for one
second.”

“Good. Because I don’t think I could let you
go right now.”

Kate had meant it. Letting him go long enough
to brush her teeth and change into pajamas had felt like too long.
When she scurried back into her room, it was to find him stretched
out on top of her bed fully dressed and sound asleep. There was
such a beauty and peace about him she stood there for a moment just
drinking in the sight of his face.

She gently took his shoes off and found a
blanket to cover him, then snuggled under that blanket with him. Ty
did his best to wedge himself in between them like a good chaperone
should. The angry glare of her father seemed to dissipate in this
safe little cocoon and Kate fell asleep very happy.

She awoke to the sensation of being watched.
Gavin was stretched out beside her, still in his tux and watching
her with a contented smile. She went to snuggle closer to him, but
Ty sensed that she was awake and bathed her face in kisses.

“Alright, alright. Go get your leash.” Kate
grumbled and got out of bed to slide on some jeans.

“Look at that. He actually got his leash.”
Gavin marveled.

“Of course he did.”

“I get you an unruly mutt to liven things up
a bit for you and instead you turn him into a perfect little
gentleman.” He shook his head ruefully.

“That’s not true. He ate my couch. And my
rug. And he makes me go out in public before I’ve showered in the
morning.”

“Shocking.” Gavin stood and stretched lazily.
“Come on; let’s get this over so I can get out of this monkey
suit.”

“You’re going with me, dressed like that?”
She eyed his rumpled suit and wild hair.

“Sure. I told you, I’m not letting you out of
my sight for the next two days.”

“I’m showering alone.” Kate stated firmly,
the thought of not showering alone nearly leaving her in a puddle
on the floor.

“Okay, with few exceptions I’m not letting
you out of my sight for the next two days.”

“Better.”

They enjoyed a few stares while they walked
Ty, her in a pajama top and jeans, him in a rumpled tuxedo, Ty
bouncing happily along at his side. It was very clear to Kate that
if she and Gavin didn’t make it, Ty would be as devastated as she.
Kate was shocked to realize that she didn’t mind the odd looks. In
fact, it was kind of liberating.

When they got back, she let Gavin grab the
first shower and tried her best not to think too much about the
mental picture of him in the shower while she called her aunt to
see if they could make an impromptu visit.

“You know, Kate, you don’t have to ask
permission to visit,” Joan had told her. “This is your home,
too.”

Kate had awkwardly thanked her and set about
making a quick breakfast.

“You’re not going to leave those dishes in
the sink, are you?” Gavin feigned shock when he ambled into the
kitchen.

“Only until after my shower, smarty pants.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. By the time she’d finished her
shower, the dishes were done and Gavin seemed very proud of
himself.

There was a knock at the door that startled
them both. Gavin answered and Kate strained to hear the whispered
conversation. She couldn’t have been more surprised when it was
Tara who shoved her way past a worried-looking Gavin.

“Kate,” Tara rushed to throw her arms around
Kate’s neck. “I’m so sorry Jack is being such a royal jerk about
this.”

“Oh. Thank you,” Kate awkwardly returned the
hug. “I’m sorry to throw a wrench into everything.”

“By what, existing? I totally get why you
didn’t tell him. Once you found out about me, I mean. That was it,
wasn’t it?”

Kate nodded. “The timing just seemed wrong. I
figured I’d wait until you guys were settled in and then figure out
a way to tell him.”

“I can understand why he’s struggling to
adjust and all. I’m not happy about the fact that I could be a
grandmother before I’m a mommy, but it is what it is. Being upset
won’t change it.”

“Oh don’t say that,” Kate winced, earning an
odd look from Gavin.

“Still, it’s possible. But it doesn’t matter.
Jack should be thrilled you turned out so well and to have you in
his life. He’ll come around to that. And don’t worry about your
job. He wouldn’t dare chase you off.” Tara promised her with a
fierceness that implied the subject had, in fact, come up and she’d
won that argument.

“The thought had occurred to me,” Kate
acknowledged. “I’m glad you won that one.”

“Me too,” Tara flashed her a pretty smile.
“Now I’d better get back. We have a flight to catch; I just didn’t
want you worrying about this for the next week.”