It had been his choice. She'd come into his room on the boat ride back home; she wanted to be with him. But he said no; he rejected her advances. Seeing Aaron only brought back memories of all his fallen friends, friends he had failed to save. He loved Kate but he didn't want to risk his reservations to be felt by Aaron.
But now, he wished he could take it back. With the settlement from the airline came stipulations, events and interviews while they were still relevant. As a result, he watched as Kate arrived to each obligation with a different date. While he was relieved that she wasn't seriously dating anyone, he hated seeing her on the arm of the rich, elite and handsome. Tonight was no exception.
Tonight was yet another gala, this one for a charity for the families of the victims. Jack had arrived without a date, having just come from work. Kate, on the other hand wore a hunter green bandage dress that was so tight it gave Jack a good idea of what she looked like naked. Her hair was straightened and her hand was connected to Marcus Wayberry, a professional baseball player. It was hard for Jack to resist smiling at her expression. He knew her well enough to know she was miserable.
None of this was her style. She wasn't really into being all dressed up and paraded around. She didn't want to be out all night, she was happy to stay home with Aaron. And he hoped these dates were more publicity than passion. The lawyers had approached him with just as many offers for dates with the rich and famous.
Jack went to the bar, getting a bourbon to calm his nerves. He wanted to leave. He wanted to forget her but he knew it was impossible.
"I've been waiting for you to say hello," he heard from behind him. Her green eyes were mind blowingly vivid with her in green. He could smell the shampoo or perfume she wore, an intoxicating fragrance. And without the dirt and sweat from the island, he could see the pattern of her freckles.
"Yeah… I'm sorry," Jack smiled nervously. "You clean up nice."
"I could say the same," Kate smirked, staring him up and down. She always knew he would clean up nice, but she hadn't expected him to look so good. She wanted to take him by the tie and kiss him until he was hers but she knew it wasn't that easy. He didn't want Aaron which meant he didn't want her.
"Who's the date?"
She half shrugged. "Marcus. He doesn't like to be called Mark." Her tone made Jack smile; she all but rolled her eyes at the athlete. He felt a sense of relief. He didn't understand it but he found comfort in the idea that it wasn't serious between the two. He hadn't wanted to be with Kate when she stood in front of him and poured her heart out. So why did he feel so threatened at the idea of her with someone else? "You don't have to avoid me," she finally whispered.
"What?"
"Don't play dumb," she chuckled. "I told you how I felt and you told me how you felt. I know that one book closed but … I just … I thought we'd still be friends, you know?"
Jack nodded with a fake smile. He hated hearing Kate say the book closed; he hated the idea of things being over with her even if they'd never started. His mind always went back to that moment, in the jungle when she'd kissed him. He had felt the desperation in the way her body pressed into his. He had loved her long before then but he fell in love all over again with that kiss.
When Jack said nothing, Kate felt her stomach knot up. He had already rejected her romantically, was he really rejecting her as a friend? The thought filled her eyes with tears that she tried to blink away.
"I should actually go," she whispered. "You know, back to being arm candy," she rolled her eyes. "But it was good to see you. Really." She smiled before rushing off. She barely made it into the bathroom stall before the tears started.
Jack was three drinks deep when he caught a glimpse of Marcus trying to kiss Kate. He watched as their lips connected for a minute before her hands were on his chest, forcing him to stop. Her entire face was beet red as she glanced around, searching for Jack. When he caught her gaze he noticed a deer in the headlights look, like she was embarrassed he had seen them. Was she?
He stayed near the bar, drinking and watching Kate and Marcus. He knew he was being childish and pouting. He also knew it was his own fault. He had turned her down. She wanted him and he refused. So why was he so jealous about it?
"Kate!" He called, trying not to slur his words when she approached the bar.
"Are you drunk?" She said, half concerned and half amused.
"I want to see Aaron."
"What? When? And why now?" She asked, furrowing her eyebrow.
"I want to be in his life. Please, Kate."
Kate nodded softly, "I already told you, anytime you want to see him. I'd never keep you from him."
"Tomorrow? Please? I'll take off work—"
"Sure!" She realized how eager she sounded and hoped Jack hadn't noticed. She reminded herself again that Jack was asking for Aaron, not her. "I mean, that's fine."
"Yeah?" He sighed in relief.
"Yeah," Kate laughed, secretly trying to tell herself that it was only friendship. Jack had already rejected her. He wasn't interested; she knew she needed to move on.