Is Kate here?
I scanned the club but didn’t see her.
“I need to say hi to Zach and Eleni.” Once Ethan knew I was there, I’d probably be kicked out.
I made my way to the back and sat down with Zach while Eleni rose to talk with a friend. I ordered a beer from the redhead.
Zach spoke to me, but I was only half-aware of what they were saying as I watched for Ethan.
The door opened, and a couple walked in. My neighbors. I was surprised they were here, considering she looked like she was going to have their baby at any moment.
A woman approached them, and for the second time that night, the world skidded to a halt.
Kate.
Good Christ, she was even more beautiful than I remembered. She wore dark slacks and a pale blue shirt that took me back to the night I met her dressed like Alice. This time, her hair was up in a loose ponytail.
I swallowed as emotion rocked through me. Could this be destiny? A second chance?
Kate motioned to a man next to her, Ethan and another woman I suspected was his wife. She introduced Noel and Harper to Dane and another man I didn’t know.
Kate then looped her arm through Harper’s as if they were old friends. This could be another good sign that the universe was giving me another chance. I mean, what were the odds that I’d move in next door to Kate’s friend?
She led Harper and Noel through the club, introducing them to guests. Then she led them toward us. This was it. I was finally about to talk to her again. My mouth went dry.
“This is Troy’s friend, Zach Clarke and...” Kate didn’t finish.
“Hey, isn’t he our new neighbor?” Noel asked Harper.
“He is.” Harper glanced at Kate, who looked at me in shock.
“This is my nephew, Sam Clarke. I hope you don’t mind that Eleni and I dragged him along,” Zach said.
Noel reached over to shake Zach’s hand. “I think we met at Dane’s once or twice.”
“Right.”
“And Sam is our new neighbor.”
I finally dragged my eyes away from Kate to shake Noel’s hand.
Kate rushed off. Harper whispered something to Noel and then followed Kate.
Okay, so not the meeting that I might have hoped for, but we both needed to get through the shock first. Now I needed to get my shit together so I could talk to her.
“She owns this place,” Zach said. “During the day, it does a great lunch service.”
She owned this place. Pride filled me, although that was stupid. Her success had nothing to do with me.
Several minutes later, Kate rushed up to Noel. “Harper’s water broke.” Then she grabbed Ethan. “Can you get a ride for them to the hospital?”
Then they were all gone again.
“I’ll drive.” I stood up.
Ethan looked at me and then did a double-take.
“Noel and Harper are my neighbors,” I said.