What's Done in Darkness (13 page)

Now in the kitchen, I placed the tray on the large metal counter meant for dirty dishes. “You say you're going to stop drinking, great. Which tells me that you know you have a problem.”

“I never said I was perfect. But I do love Katrina.”

“Good. Then you'll do what's necessary.”

Then I exited the kitchen, hoping that the conversation was over and done with.

I went back to work, feeling a little better as the day went on. All a stranger watching Christian and Katrina together would see was two people in love. Maybe last night had been the wake-up call that Christian needed to change his behavior for the better.

Their situation had been like a weight on my shoulders, keeping me on edge. But being in the café, working, and chitchatting with the customers made me feel better.

As I was heading back in from the patio, Gordon waved me over. Smiling, I approached his table.

“How's the book coming along?” I asked.

“Good,” he said. “I hit a bit of a block, but I'll work through it.”

“You want more coffee?” I asked. “Something to eat?”

“Can I get a plate of fries and another coffee?” he asked.

“Sure thing.”

Several minutes later, I was bringing Gordon his order. “Thank you,” he said. Then, “Hey, I've been wanting to check out Hemingway Home. And since you're into writing, too, maybe we could go together? It might help inspire you to do some writing.”

“That's a great idea. And probably exactly what I need. I'd love to go. When?”

“How's tomorrow?”

“It'll have to be in the evening, because I'm working in the day. Do you know how late it's open?”

“I'll find out.”

“If it closes early, I'll work something out with Katrina. I'm sure I can sneak away for a couple of hours.”

“We can figure it out tomorrow. Go whenever's convenient for you.”

“Sounds great.”

I smiled. Gordon's suggestion was an unexpected and welcome surprise.

*   *   *

The unexpected took on a new meaning when, as Katrina and I were cleaning the restaurant at the end of the night, she said to me, “Let's go to Mexico.”

I stared at her, confused. “Pardon me?”

“Christian and I were talking about it, and we think it would be fun.”

“Are you—” My protest stopped mid-sentence as Christian entered the restaurant from the kitchen. Had this been Katrina's idea—or his? “You're not actually serious,” I said in a hushed tone.

“I'm totally serious.”

“Why would you go to Mexico?” I asked.

“Why not?” she countered, loud enough for Christian to hear, making it clear she wasn't keeping the conversation from him. “I've always wanted to go to Mexico.”

Christian slipped his arm around her waist and pressed his lips against her temple.

My eyes flitted between both of their faces. Was Christian coercing Katrina into going away? Suddenly I was leery of that whole story about him losing his brother to suicide. Maybe Christian was some nutcase who had wormed his way into Katrina's life.

“First of all,” I began, “you've got your shop. Second of all, it's June. It's beautiful and hot right here in Key West.”

“And that's why it's the perfect time to go. Because there are some insane deals right now. Christian saw a few on a travel Web site. Do you know how cheap it is to get an all-inclusive in Cancun right now? Air included? It's practically free.”

“What about your business? You shut down to go to Mexico, you're going to lose money.” I'd witnessed that explosive phone call between Katrina and the ex whom she owed money. Why was she even considering going away?

Katrina's eyes met Christian's before she looked at me again. “Money's not the only thing that matters in the world.”

So this
was
Christian's idea. I didn't like this. What was he planning to do? Get her out of the country where he could hurt her … or worse? “You basically have Mexico right here at your doorstep,” I pointed out. “Constant sunshine, palm trees. And the beach, which is stunning.”

“It's about doing something different, seeing some place different,” Katrina explained. “I could use a break. Christian and I need some time to just be a couple. And you came down here and jumped right into working long hours for me … why not come with us to Mexico so we can all have a good time?”

I stared at each of them in turn. Christian hadn't said anything, something I found suspicious. Suddenly I was thinking about the various crime shows I'd watched on television. People vacationing together in the tropics. One person in a relationship secretly wanting to get rid of the other.

“Mexico isn't exactly the safest place right now,” I pointed out.

“Hogwash.” This from Christian. “The media always sensationalizes things. Sure, that couple got killed recently, but sometimes people are stupid when they go on vacation. They go out and try to get drugs and they don't know who they're dealing with. We won't be doing any of that.”

I held Christian's gaze, hoping that he didn't see my suspicion. Because I was suddenly very aware of the fact that
I
needed to be careful, not just Katrina. I had no clue who he really was, and I was living in a city where I had no family.

Katrina looked up at Christian. “Babe, can I talk to Jade alone for a minute?”

“Sure.” He softly kissed her lips. “I'll be upstairs.”

When he was out of earshot, Katrina stepped toward me. “I can tell you're concerned. Obviously, things with Christian and I have been … well, rocky. That's why we could both use some time away. I've been stressed with starting this business, and Christian came from England to be with me and I've thrown him right into working, so I'm sure he's stressed about that, too.”

“Have you forgotten last night?” I asked. “And what he did to your arm last week?”

“No. That's what I'm trying to explain. We didn't get to start our relationship off right. Everyone else gets to date and have that honeymoon phase. We've had this coffee shop keeping us busy, and I know that's caused stress and tension in our relationship. We need time to bond as a couple.”

How much more bonding time did they need? Even Alexis had commented on their open affection and how the two seemed to spend as much time making out as they did working.

“Look, if you guys want to go, that's fine,” I said. “But I think that I would be a third wheel in any kind of scenario where you guys go to Mexico.” It was already bad enough having to listen to their lovemaking in the apartment. “It just doesn't make sense for me to join you.”

“Oh come on,” Katrina said. “What are you gonna do—stay here and keep hoping that Wesley will call and tell you he wants you back?”

“This isn't about h—”

“It's time for you to have sex with someone else. Discover that there are other guys out there.”

“I'm not pining over Wesley,” I said. And to prove it, I added, “In fact, I'm getting together with Gordon tomorrow night.” It wasn't a date, but Katrina didn't need to know that. I just didn't want her thinking that I was still crying over Wesley.

“Gordon?” Katrina looked stunned.

“One of the customers who comes in every day. Works on his lapt—”

“I know who he is,” Katrina said. “I just didn't realize you guys had a thing.”

“We don't have a
thing,
” I said. “But we're going to go out tomorrow. He seems really nice, and he's easy to talk to … who knows?”

“You and Gordon?” Katrina asked, as though the idea of us as a couple were inconceivable.

“We started talking because I see him here every day. And conversations about where I'm from, my school experience at UB, and my writing led to him asking me out. It's nothing major. We're just gonna hang out, get to know each other better.”

Katrina gave me a curious look. “That's odd, him wanting to know about your school experience?”

“Why? Obviously he's interested in me as a person. He's not one of those guys who just want to get into a woman's pants.” I hoped that I'd said enough to convince Katrina that I wasn't hung up on Wesley. Not that I had to prove anything to her.

Katrina narrowed her eyes. She wasn't buying my act. “What?” I asked.

“Or maybe he's trying to pretend he's someone that he's not. Passing himself off as a nice guy when he's really got ulterior motives.”

I wanted to tell her that she was describing Christian. Instead, I asked, “Why would you think that?”

“You may as well know the truth. Before you arrived here, he asked me out. He seemed curious about my UB experience, too.” She glanced away, as though contemplating something. “Said something about researching sororities.”

“He
is
a writer.”

“Yeah, but I've seen him talking to lots of girls. I think he's a player, Jade.”

What was this, Katrina trying to compete with me?

“My gut says not to trust him,” she went on.

Why was she making such a big deal about this? “It's just a date, not a commitment.”

“Forget the guys here, Jade.” Katrina's eyes lit up. “Go to Mexico. Find a real man who will rock your world.”

“Katrina, I'm not going to Mexico.”

“Come on.” She pouted. “I want you there. You know the saying. The more the merrier.”

“There's also another saying. ‘Three's a crowd.' I'm not going, Katrina.”

“Fine,” she said, sounding irritated. “I guess it's a stupid idea. I just thought it might be fun. But obviously you want to have fun in Gordon's bed.”

“That's not what I said.”

“Then what's keeping you here? If someone invited me to Mexico, I'd jump at the opportunity.”

The thought crossed my mind then—did Katrina want me along on the trip so she didn't have to totally be alone with Christian? Did she not trust her boyfriend as much she claimed to trust him? And if that was the case, why bother to go at all?

I didn't like this. Not one bit.

As much as I felt bad for Katrina, even given the look of disappointment on her face, I didn't change my answer. Some things in life people thank you for later. If my not going stopped her from going, well, I was fine with that. The way I saw it, I was possibly saving her life.

I thought that was the end of the conversation until she said, “I'm sorry if you don't like Christian, but you shouldn't judge him harshly.” She held my gaze a beat. “After all, you're not perfect, are you?”

My eyes narrowed as I looked at her. What was she getting at? “Excuse me?”

“I know about Buffalo. What you did at your boyfriend's graduation when you saw him with your friend.” She paused. “And what happened afterward.”

Fuck!
Marie had told her?

And suddenly that knowing look she'd given me after we'd had our own spat days ago made sense. She'd known about Buffalo then but hadn't said anything. Instead, she'd hinted at it.

“I've taken a chance and let you come here and work for me, regardless,” Katrina said. “I don't think you're a raging psychopath.”

The words were like a kick to my solar plexus. Instead of seeing stars, I saw the various negative comments on my Facebook wall float before my eyes.

Crazy.

Insane.

Few screws loose.

Can you say psycho?

“My point,” Katrina went on, bringing my attention back to her, “is that people make mistakes. You should understand that.”

I felt my ire rising. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. “I'm done with this conversation.”

“Looks like you're getting hot under the collar,” she pressed, as though hoping to get a rise out of me to prove a point.

I drew in a sharp breath, trying to calm down. “Do whatever you want to do, Katrina.”

Her face softened. “Marie told me that in confidence, and I probably shouldn't have told you that I knew. It's just … you know all about losing your temper. But does that make you—”

“Can we
not
?”

Katrina raised both hands, a sign of surrender. “Okay. Sorry. I'm just saying, we don't always do the right things all the time. I figured you of all people would understand that.”

I walked a few steps to the right, trying to distance myself from Katrina and this conversation. I checked out the state of the café, which looked ready for business tomorrow morning. “Everything's good in here?”

“Sure. We're done.”

“Good.”

I all but ran up the stairs and went straight to my room. I was miffed. I wanted to call Marie and scream at her, but I didn't. How dare she tell Katrina my personal business? I was embarrassed enough because people I knew had witnessed me making a fool of myself. Now I had to live here with the knowledge that Katrina knew what I'd done?

I stayed in my room and watched a movie on my laptop and tried to chill out. And I waited for the other shoe to drop.

That shoe being Christian's temper.

I guess I
wanted
to hear him lose it, so I could assure myself that I was nothing like him. But the hours passed and I heard nothing. Nothing but laughter and easygoing chatter in the living room.

And the next thing I knew it was the morning and I was waking up and I hadn't heard any type of disturbance during the night.

“What kind of coffee do you want, babe?”

That was Christian. The two of them were up and going about getting ready. A normal couple starting the day.

I remembered Katrina's words from the night before. How I of all people should understand that people make mistakes.

I hadn't been impressed with the comment at the time, mostly because I'd been angry that my sister had betrayed my confidence. But maybe Katrina was right. Maybe I was judging Christian too harshly.