"Whoa," Winn did a double take as Kara made her way into the office. "When did...did you get a tan?"
"What? No," she shook her head, walking through the glass doors ahead of him, trying to act as normal as possible.
He couldn't help but trail his eyes over the dress she was wearing, bright green, tight, with yellow polka dots, still very Kara-office-appropriate, but a little more effort than usual, heels a bit taller, hair half-up-half-down, skin glowing.
"Wait...you didn't stumble across anymore red kryptonite, did you?"
"Winn, no! I'm fine," she insisted.
"Well I certainly don't look like that after eating my weight in potstickers," he continued. "Sorry...I mean, you look...nice today."
"Thanks," she sighed. "Where is Ms. Grant? I haven't seen her since we got back from the funeral yesterday."
"Emergency board meeting," he told her.
"Oh...well, can you let me know when she's back? I want to make sure she got the report I left for her. I'm a little afraid I overspent on the Fourth of July party."
"I don't think she's gonna care about that," Winn assured. "She's got bigger fish to fry. Besides, when has spending too much on something ever been a problem with her?"
"Right," Kara nodded. "Okay, well...back to my windowless hovel."
Kara was thankful her new office allowed her some privacy and the ability to get more work done, but she did miss being closer to Winn and Cat. She couldn't keep tabs on what was going on nearly as well anymore, couldn't look up and anticipate whether Cat needed anything, or listen in with her super hearing if she felt like something was wrong. Then again, it wasn't her job to solve all Ms. Grant's problems anymore, to bring her coffee or cure her headaches. That was Missy's job, though she wasn't sure the poor, mediocre girl from Wisconsin would make it very long.
"Is the board still meeting?" Kara asked the new assistant later that afternoon.
"I don't think so," Missy mused, trying to seem like she knew what was going on. "I think I saw them all leave. Ms. Grant came down for a few minutes and said she was going for a deep tissue massage."
"Did she say when she'd be back?"
Missy just shrugged, looking at her computer, trying to disappear before Kara's persistent eyes.
Kara sighed, shuffling back to her office to run some more numbers on her annual budget and brainstorm ideas about the next event she might have to plan. When five o'clock rolled around, Winn came by to see if she wanted to get a drink, but Kara made up an excuse about needing to research new furniture for the meeting rooms. He looked at her funny, knowing she wasn't a great liar, but decided to let her stay put without much argument.
A little after eight, she finally decided to give up waiting around, feeling foolish.
What do I have to say to her anyway? she chastised. "Hi, Ms. Grant. I just wanted to let you know I gave myself my first earth-shattering, oasis-producing orgasm last night thinking about you." Stupid.
She gathered up her bag and headed for the elevator, but something pulled at her to check Cat's office just one last time, unsure whether she was more nervous to find her there or not.
She peeked into the office, a bit relieved when she found it empty, until she noticed the door to the balcony was open. Letting her legs carry her there without overthinking it, she went out onto the terrace.
"There you are," she breathed quickly, clearing her throat. "I...thought you were avoiding me."
She winced at the way that sounded.
"Why would I be avoiding you?" Cat shook her head, arms folded as she stood peering out over the edge of the building, holding a wine glass in one hand. "And what are you doing here so late? I don't pay you overtime, you know."
"I know. I was just...wanting to talk to you about the budget, and wondering if…"
"I haven't looked at it, but I'm sure it's fine," Cat sighed, taking a sip, looking anywhere but at Kara.
"Are you okay, Ms. Grant?" Kara knew the answer, but felt like she needed to ask.
The older woman closed her eyes, shaking her hair from her face, pushing some golden strands back before sitting in her favorite chair.
"I'm fine, Kara," she emphasized again, taking another large gulp from her glass, finishing it off before pouring herself another. "Would you like some?"
She offered her the bottle, but Kara shook her head, feeling like she should keep her full wits about her, even though with her metabolism it took way more than a few glasses of wine to get her drunk. Instead, she leaned silently against the balcony, facing Cat, trying not to eye her too closely.
"We're going to have to spend even more money, truth be told, on our Labor Day Gala," she breathed. "The board is concerned people won't come to another party here after what happened to Max."
"Well, I'm sure it will be a little…"
"They want us to take a year off, throw something commemorative next year. First of all, no one wants to come to a 'rooftop memorial service.' They want to drink, dance, and forget about their problems, not toast to the guy who died where they're standing."
She sipped her chardonnay, shoulders stiffening as she continued forming her rebuttal.
"And second, events are part of what make CatCo special. We bring people together. The longer we keep them apart, the more specter of death there will be."
Kara nodded along slowly, not sure how people really would feel coming back for another party, but knowing her job depended on it.
"We'll make it work, Ms. Grant," she agreed. "If the board can't see it yet, that's fine."
Cat looked up at her, tired, tipsy, eyebrows arching, pressing her temples.
"What are you doing here on a Friday night?" she practically whispered, eyes narrowing as she appeared to study the woman standing before her. "You're young. You should be out gallivanting with other young people."
Kara laughed a little awkwardly.
"I don't do a whole lot of 'gallivanting.' I'm not even sure what that means."
"Don't play coy, Kara," she exhaled sharply through her nose. "Just because James doesn't suit your fancy doesn't mean there aren't a dozen other boys lined up around the block waiting for their chance. What about that sad puppy who follows you around the office? You know, cardigan boy? Wick?"
"Winn's my best friend," Kara reminded her. "And he's not a sad puppy. He's very talented. You know that."
"Yes, yes, I just hate to see anyone looking so desperate," she said, mildly disgusted, continuing to down her wine. Kara watched her holding the liquid in her mouth, savoring the taste, before swallowing hard, muscles in her neck moving as it made its way down her throat.
Kara looked away, breathing steadily through her nose as she crossed her legs.
"What about Adam?" Cat spoke again out of nowhere.
Kara almost gave herself whiplash with how fast she turned back to her boss. She'd completely forgotten about Adam. It was months ago, before anything happened with James, very brief in the grand scheme of things that filled her life.
"Oh...right," Kara swallowed. "Adam...what about…"
"Seriously, Kara, why do you always look at me like I have three heads when I ask you a question? I know you liked each other. The timing wasn't right before, but maybe it is now. Anyway, I'm sure he's still interested. Why don't you give him a call now that you're…"
"You know what, just stop!" Kara finally huffed. "Why does everyone always think they know exactly what I want?"
Cat fell silent. She stared at Kara, shocked by her outburst.
"Okay...so you don't want Adam, fine, but…"
"I don't! I'm sorry, Ms. Grant, I know he's your son and that I complicated things by going out with him, but it was a huge mistake. I didn't even realize he was interested in me until others pointed it out, and then I thought, fine, okay, I'll give it a shot."
She stopped herself, catching her breath, noting the blush creeping up Cat's neck, swallowing as she gathered her thoughts.
"The truth is, I only really said yes because I was lonely, and, more importantly, I thought it would keep him around longer and that would make you happy. In the end...I ended up hurting you both."
Cat's glare was almost impenetrable, though Kara could read the slightest hint of frustration, compassion, and something else she couldn't decipher.
"Hurt?" she sighed, shaking her shoulders, straightening. "The only thing that hurt me was that Adam left so abruptly after you broke things off, and frankly, that must have been the only reason he stuck around because I've barely heard two words from him since. So yes, I was hurt. I was…disappointed...that you would be so careless, but I got over it, realizing it was none of my business, just like it's none of my business now."
"Then why are you asking me about it?" Kara scowled.
Cat's face turned red. She scoffed, rolling her eyes, looking away as best she could.
"I guess..." she swallowed. "...I want you to be happy, too, Kara. If that's not so difficult to believe."
Kara sighed, biting her bottom lip, trying not to make too big a deal out of this. She was usually pretty good at keeping her feelings in check, but since that night on the roof deck, she felt like someone had opened a gate to her deepest, most unbridled emotions, and she couldn't shut it again.
"No," she answered softly. "It's not hard to believe that at all."
"Good," Ms. Grant inhaled sharply. "I'm glad that's settled."
Kara didn't know what else to say. She knew Cat cared about her. As an employee. A protege. A friend. Beyond that, what could there be? Why even entertain the thought. Now she felt like she'd only made things worse.
"If you'll excuse me," Cat stood, taking her glass with her. "I just remembered I have a few more emails to send before I leave."
She went back into her office without looking up. Kara stood frozen for a minute before picking up her bag and heading home.