“So, to what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked.
“I thought we said we were going to get coffee sometime.”
“Well yeah.” I laughed. “I guess I just didn’t let myself believe that it would really happen.”
He frowned. “I’m a man of my word.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yes,” he said, nodding his head. “Totally.”
“Hey, I’m not going to question it.” I took another sip. “I’m just glad that you’re here. So, let’s talk! Tell me how you’ve been, what’s been going on in your life? Have you been seeing anyone lately?”
He flashed me a smile. “It’ll be quicker for me to list the people I’mnotseeing.”
“Really? You’re a player now? Since when?”
“I’ve always been a player.” He pretended to pop his collar and I laughed into my coffee. It had been so long since Calvin and I had goofed around together, and it felt great to know how easy it was to slip back into our old patterns. I had missed him so much over the years, and the more time we spent together, the more I realized just how empty my life had been without him.
“No, but really,” I said. “You’re not interested in a serious relationship?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess if I met the right person.” With this, he looked at me inquisitive. “But speaking of people I might be into, what’s the story with your friend? The one you brought to the show last weekend?”
“Becca?” I shook my head. “She’s engaged.”
“Bummer,” he said. “I really thought there was something there. Oh well, no harm done. But I could’ve sworn she was flirting with me.”
“She is a bit of a flirt,” I said. “But I wouldn’t read too much into it.”
He nodded. “Good note. What about you? Are you dating anyone? You got a boyfriend back in London you’re pining for?”
“Oh, you know me,” I said. “I left a string of heartbroken men behind, but they all know better than to call me up and ask me to come back to them.”
“Any men in Boston then?”
I eyed him, watching for a hint of how much he knew,ifhe knew anything. His expression was open, however, as was his body language. He was truly asking, truly ignorant. “Nope,” I said. “I’ve only been in town for a little while. I work fast but notthatfast.”
We both laughed, and from there the conversation flowed and we spent over an hour filling each other in on what we’d been doing since I moved away, and when he checked the time and said he had to go, I got up out of my chair with him. At the door, I couldn’t help myself. I threw my arms around his neck and was so grateful when he hugged me back.
“I know we still have a lot to work through,” I said. “But I’m just so happy that you’re talking to me again. I love you, Cal.”
He paused. “I love you too, Kat.”
He pulled away and smiled, then left without another word. I beamed, alone in my office once again.
I got my brother back.
It was chalking up to be a very good day.
Chapter Fourteen
Jonah
It was actually quite shocking, how little work I got done that morning.
I was so distracted, so jittery, that it was a miracle I could sit still long enough to even answer a single email. I made up excuse after excuse to step outside of my office and go down the hall towards Kat’s. But she had her blinds closed and the door shut, so my efforts to casually run into her were all in vain. At one, I was sitting in my office trying to prepare for a meeting I had the next day when my phone chirped.
I’d received a text from Dean Stevens, asking if we were still on for lunch.