This will be a short chapter sorry. Spent the weekend with the family. :)
"Congratulations Gabe!" They chanted. Everyone is now standing in the middle of the main room with Gabe holding a cupcake in his hand. On top of it was a sparkler that served as a candle.
"Thanks guys. Best friends ever!" Gabe said teary eyed.
"But...As much as I would love to continue this party tonight, I have an early day tomorrow. Thanks again everyone. I'll be calling it a night!. "
Disappointed noises filled the crowd.
"I know, I know..let's get together tomorrow night ... my place!"
"WHOOHOO!" Heather cheered.
Gabe looked over to Catherine and Tess. "Are you guys staying? I can leave the limo and just take a cab."
"I'll go with!" Catherine answered quickly. She was getting tired and she needed an excuse to get away from the crowd. She also really didn't want to run into Evan again.
"Me too...I could go for some food though. These fancy snacks didn't really fill me up...I'm starving." Tess whined as she rubs her stomach.
"Ok then, we can all ride back together, drop me off and you girls take the limo to get food."
"Great idea! You guys coming or staying?" Tess looking over ar JT and Vincent.
"Sure. All we have at the hotel are gummy worms!" JT answered for them.
Vincent nodded. He wasn't really ready to end the night. He didn't really get a chance to talk to Catherine all night.
"Heather you coming?"Catherine looked over at her sister looking over at her notes.
"Sorry no, I need to finish up here. Lunch tomorrow? I'll call u in the morning"
"Ok. Thanks again for everything. Had a lot of fun!" Catherine reached over a hugged her sister goodnight.
They headed back to the limo. Tess stayed behind and let the guys get in. She stopped Catherine. "I need you to come and eat with us. 3s a crowd if you know what I mean. Please don't bail on me." She said beggingly.
" ok.u owe me one". Catherine let out a light laugh.
They dropped off Gabe and said their goodbyes. They headed to the diner in between Catherine's and Tess' apartment. They were sat in a booth in the very back. Catherine and Tess sat across the table from the two men. The waitress came over and everyone ordered their food.
"Bathroom break!" Tess grabbed Catherine's hand and pulled her out of the booth.
"Uh ok. We will be right back..again". She called out to JT and Vincent.
As the girls walked off, Jt took this time to grill his best friend.
"Tess is really something else...in a good way. How's it going with you?"
Vincent bit his lip to hide his smile. "Good".
Jt looked at him. He knew it was more than good. Vincent has been mostly consumed by his work and this is the first time that his best friend looks relaxed and happy.
"Hmm. That good huh. Haven't seen you like this in a while. You might as well make her a playlist."
"Playlist huh. Must be serious." Said a voice. This made them both jump.
Catherine and Tess had walked up and is now standing behind them giggling.
"I think it's sweet. She must be special." Catherine teased as she slid in the booth and sat down.
"She is."
The waitress dropped off their food and everyone started eating.
Vincent couldn't help but sneak glances over Catherine. Why is she so beautiful?
After finishing their meal, Tess let out a yawn. "Man I'm beat. Cat do u want us to drop you off first since u only live a block away?"
Catherine looked down at her phone. It was close to after midnight. She wasn't really tired now that she ate a late dinner.
"Nah, u guys go ahead. I need to walk this food off anyways."
" Looks like I'm walking her home. I'll grab a a cab back to the hotel ok ?" vincent looked over at Jt." Am I going to have to beg you again?" He whispered to catherine, his voice unintentionally seductive.
Catherine embarrassed and her face flushed pink. She just smiled.
"Ok big guy. Whatever you say."
Jt and Tess got into the limo and Vincent and Catherine started walking towards her apartment. The streets were empty except a couple of stragglers along the way. Catherine noticed an older couple hand in hand, leaning against each other and giggling like teenagers.
I want that. I wonder if that's possible for me?
Vincent noticed that Catherine face suddenly saddened.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"Nothing really. What about you?"
Avoidance was her specialty.
"How did I do as your bodyguard?" He wanted to lighten the mood.
She stopped at a foot of a Brownstone building.
"Is this you?"
"Yeah. And thank you for handling Evan."
"So who is Evan?" he asked playfully, but she could hear the real curiosity in his soft voice.
"No one that matters. We dated before and I broke it off. He wasn't who I thought he was."
Vincent sighed. He hated to hear that she'd been hurt. He desperately wanted to know what she wanted in a man. He wanted to be that person for her. To make her happy. But he knew now is not the right time, for either of them.
"Well I should be going. JT and I have to check out some spaces tomorrow."
"Oh right. Of course. Yeah. I guess this is goodnight" Catherine tried to hide her disappointment. She was hoping to talk to him for a bit.
They both just looked at each other and hesitated. Catherine didn't know if she should lean over and hug him or shake his hand.
"Ok then. Goodnight Catherine."
There was no hesitation this time. Vincent reached for her and his arms wound around her waist and held her securely against his chest. He pressed his lips against her forehead, and she felt his breath move her hair when he spoke.
"I'll see you tomorrow".
She looked up at him and smiled. "Tomorrow then."
