Chapter 34

After that had been settled any time Vincent wasn't looking at her Catherine started to give Jenny head and eye signals that it was time for her to leave. However, her best friend enjoyed practical jokes and taunting Cathy too much to leave right away. It was nearly thirty minutes later when she finally took pity on her friend's desire to be alone with the man she might (yeah right!) be in love with.

Vincent couldn't help but be aware of what had been going on. He had sensed Catherine's desire to be alone with him and then when Jenny had ignored her less than subtle hints to leave, he was also aware of her frustration and peeved acceptance of her friend's refusal to take the hints.

With a clearly fake yawn, Jenny rose and said, "Well I guess I should leave you two lovebirds now. I would tell you not to do anything that I wouldn't do, but Cath has to know that if I had a guy as gorgeous as you alone in my apartment, the things I 'wouldn't do' would be VERY few!" She giggled at the shocked look on both of their faces. Giving them both hugs she headed for the door.

Catherine shook her head and sighed resignedly when Jenny's hug to Vincent had lasted twice as long as the one she had gotten. Vincent was an incredible hugger, but Jenny was going to have to learn that he was taken and that meant she needed to keep her hands off of Catherine's man…now wait a minute! Where had that thought come from? Her man? Just today she had been thinking that maybe she might be feeling more that friendship for Vincent, but that was a far cry from thinking of him as hers! It had to have been all Jenny's crazy talk about love that put that thought in her head. Didn't it?

She was still contemplating that as the door closed behind Jenny and she found herself alone with Vincent. Having no idea what to say to him with the thoughts that were running through her head, the only thing she could think to do was to play for time. "Vincent would you like some more tea and cookies?" she asked as she reached for the tray in order to rush to the kitchen and hide out for a while.

"That would be fine, Catherine, as long as you allow me to help you. You should not be straining yourself in your condition."

"Vincent, I'm pregnant, not dying! And making tea and opening a package of cookies is hardly strenuous work!" she protested, seeing her opportunity to clear her head slipping away.

Hanging his head at her rebuke, he said softly, "I am sorry Catherine. I was raised to always be helpful and to respect women in your condition. Life is so precious and should be guarded at every opportunity.

Catherine felt terrible then. In her desire to be alone to think she had hurt him. Vincent, who would never hurt another living being! "Vincent, I am the one who should be sorry! Jenny's talk stirred up thoughts I needed to sort out, but that was no reason to snap at you! Can you forgive me?"

"Of course Catherine. I could go now if you need some time alone," he offered.

"Oh no! Don't do that! I was being foolish! I know that love at first sight is real. After all, it was what happened to my parents. Even though it never happened to me before that is no reason to try and deny it! I mean, just because Jenny was the first one to say that I was in love with you, instead of me figuring it out on my own…" she trailed off as she realized that she had been babbling. Then, seeing the look on Vincent's face, it dawned on her just what she had been babbling!

Vincent slammed the Bond closed before he started speaking. This was something just too important to take a chance on. He had to hear her say the words. "Catherine…are you saying that you love me?"

She dropped her head and his heart sank. He had misinterpreted what she had been saying! He was a fool! How could someone like Catherine love someone like…

To be continued….