here we go.. thanks again for the review. you guys are amazing!
Catherine woke up in a cold sweat. Her whole body felt like it was burning up and bruised all over. She couldn't figure out why because she had gone to bed immediately after Vincent had dropped her off at her apartment. The thought of Vincent couldn't stop her from smiling although her body feel like she been run over by a truck. Ugh. I hate getting sick. She managed to get up from her bed although the soreness in the small of her back made it a little difficult. Hopefully it's just the cold. Good thing she didn't work today. She couldn't really miss a lot of work since she was going on vacation in a couple of weeks. She headed to the kitchen and made herself tea and grabbed some medicine from her pantry. She sat down on her couch and knew she wasn't going to be able to do anything today, let alone go to the party tonight. She texted Tess and Gabe and told them that she wasn't going to make it. Well I guess we won't be seeing each other after all, thinking of Vincent. With that, she decided to close her eyes and tried to go back to sleep.
Vincent woke up as the sun peeked in his window blinding him as he tried to open his eyes. He reached over to his phone and realized that he had slept in all day. He hurriedly got up and knew that JT would be upset that they are running late to their appointment. He put on his robe and shorts and walked out in the living area of their hotel room.
"Good morn.. err afternoon big guy." JT said as he saluted to him. He was already dressed but not something he would wear to a meeting.
"I'm sorry man, did we miss the meeting?"
"No, they called this morning and the realtor got snowed in outside of the city so we postponed it for Monday. I didn't wake you because you seemed exhausted."
"Thanks. Yeah I couldn't sleep and was tossing and turning all night. I guess I finally fell asleep early this morning." He headed for the coffee maker and poured himself and JT a cup. "What's the plan for today"
JT took a sip of his coffee. "Well, Tess and I are going to grab some brunch and we have Gabe's party tonight. You? Got any plans with Cat?"
"No. I remember her making plans with her sister. So, I guess I'll just see her at the party."
"So.. Are you going to make your move tonight?"
"I don't know JT. There's nothing more that I want but get to know her, but we are leaving soon so I guess I'm in limbo. Should I? Shouldn't I? I don't want to lead her on and get my hope up in the process."
JT looked over at Vincent. He was one of the good guys so he understood why he was in such a dilemma." Seize the day buddy. I know distance is an issue but I mean c'mon. If this deal goes through, then what's really stopping you? You'd have to move here anyway. Besides you haven't had a relationship since Alex and you're totally into Cat. First time in a while I've actually seen you interested in anything besides work. Just be open to the possibility before you shut it out. See where it goes. If anything you made a new friend"
Vincent knew he wanted her to be more than friends. But JT was right, he needed to just let his heart go. "One day at a time. Who knows she may not even like me at all." he shrugged.
Knock Knock. Someone was at the door.
JT jumped out of his chair. "That's my date. She insisted on picking me up. I'm telling you…something else!"
JT invited Tess in. Tess looked over at Vincent with a sly grin. "Looks like you've had a rough night?" She winked.
Vincent felt his cheeks flushed red. Tess giggled. "Don't want to break your heart, Romeo, but Cat's not going to make it tonight. She got sick and not feeling very well. What did you guys do last night?"
"Uh nothing. I walked her to her apartment and then I headed home. Is she ok?" He asked with concern in his voice. He felt the need to take care of her.
"Why don't u find out?" Tess grabbed a notepad on the desk by the door and started writing something down. "Here's her number. She'll kill me for doing this." Tess was hoping Catherine wouldn't be upset at her for giving him her number. She normally wouldn't have done so but since Catherine has been in a slump since Evan, yesterday was one of the days that her friend seemed happy. She doesn't know what was going on between the two but she knew it was good for her.
Vincent smiled as he looked at the piece of paper. He had butterflies in his stomach now, like a teenager getting a number for the first time. He couldn't understand why he was feeling this way. He had just met her yesterday but he feels like it was something that he's been longing for his whole life. He hated feeling vulnerable to his emotions and has managed to keep it suppressed since he was betrayed before.
"Well we have to go if we want to beat traffic." Tess grabbing JT and headed out the door.
"You going to be ok?" JT looked over at Vincent.
"Yeah I'll see you tonight."
Vincent closed the door. He sat down the chair in the middle of the room. All he could do was stare at his phone and the paper with her number.
"Cat! Cat!" She jumped up in a panic! She was still trying to figure out if she was dreaming. She recognized the voice. Heather?
As she came to, she realized that her sister was pounding at her door. She quickly rushed and opened it. Heather reached out to hug her but practically choked her in the process. "Hey I got your text. What happened last night? You seemed fine when you left. I'm sorry but I can't stay long because I have a last minute meeting, but I wanted to make sure you are ok. I'll come back later."
"I'll b ok. It's just the cold. Thanks for your offer sis." She let heather in and they both sat down.
"Soo… "
Catherine already knew what her sister was getting at.
"I just met him yesterday and he's just a .. Friend."
"Umm..Hmm. Honestly Cat," Heather started to say with an awe in her voice, "I haven't seen you laugh and smile like I saw you last night. He also seemed like a genuinely good person."
Catherine was shocked. Heather NEVER liked anyone that she has dated before let alone someone she had met for 5 minutes. She tends to be very protective of her, as she should be.
"Umm yeah. He is. Well from what I can tell. Like I said, its only been a day. I have to admit, he makes me feel beautiful. The way that no one has ever made me feel wanted before. He's just in town for business so I highly doubt it would go anywhere but it was nice to spend time with him. Don't know sis, I just wish it was a lot less complicated."
Vincent stood outside in Catherine's hallway with flowers in one hand and Chicken soup in another. He didn't want to call because of what Tess had implied and he figured he wouldn't want to give her a chance to say no to see her. It was a risk he was willing to take. He knew where she lived from last night so he got JT to ask Tess for the apartment number. The door was slightly open. He was about to knock but heard voices and recognized that it was Catherine, have to admit, he makes me feel beautiful. The way that no one has ever made me feel wanted before. He stepped back. He felt guilty for eavesdropping but he hoped that she was talking about him. At that point, his heart starts to beat fast and thousands of emotions twirling in his body. He couldn't help the need to hold her in his arms.
Heather heard a noise by the door and put her finger on her lips. "Shh, I think I hear someone at the door."
The two sisters walked slowly towards it and noticed it slightly opened. Heather grabbed a spatula off the counter. This made Catherine giggle, and Heather swung the door open but before anyone could react, they both froze.
Vincent was startled. He blinked his eyes and standing in front of him were the two sisters staring at him with one, spatula in hand.
"Uh. Hi." He stammered. He failed in his attempt to sound nonchalant.
"Well that's my cue. Call me later. Love you big sis." Before Catherine could answer heather gave her a quick hug and practically ran down the hall.
"Hi. How long have you been standing there?"
"I just got here". He lied.
Hoping he didn't hear their conversation, Catherine invited him in and urged for him to sit down on her sofa.
"Uh, these are for you. Tess told me you weren't feeling well and I wanted to make sure that you were ok. "He awkwardly handed them to her. He felt her fingers touch his hand as she grabbed the flowers from him. He felt himself blush. He tried to hide it by looking away.
She grabbed the flowers and picked up a vase from her cabinet, she filled it with water trying to avoid Vincent's eyes. This is all new for her. She was especially embarrassed by the way she looked, hair a mess on top of her head in a bun, and flannel pajamas and she can't even begin to think about her face since she has been coughing and sneezing all day. "Sorry I'm such a mess." She tried adjusting her hair and straightening her clothes.
Vincent couldn't help but stare at her. She never looked more beautiful to him. He grabbed her hand as she was trying to fix her hair again. "Leave it. You look perfect." He leaned over to kiss her forehead and hugged her.
Catherine was too tired to fight her emotions and melted into his arms. "Be careful, I could get you sick with you being so close." Catherine's heart is beating so fast that it could practically jump out of her chest.
Vincent smiled as he felt her heartbeat. He looked down at her "I'll be ok. That just means that if I get sick...you'll have to take care of me." He teased.
Catherine pulled back and nudged him. "Whatever!"
"For now, I need you to sit and relax. As your bodyguard/boyfriend, I'm here to take care of you. What would you like to do?"
"Hmm. Movie? I mean I rented it yesterday but never got to watch it."
"Movie it is."
"You don't have to do this you know. But honestly I could use the company." A smile plays on her lips as she tells him. Sick as she is, she appreciated Vincent being with her. Honestly she was extremely disappointed that she wasn't going to see him. She was almost mad at her body for betraying her and getting sick.
Vincent headed to the living room to set up the movie and she headed to the kitchen. Catherine made Vincent a bowl of popcorn while she had poured her soup in a bowl. She hadn't eaten all day and was glad she didn't have to make herself something to eat. They sat close together and watched in silence. Catherine shivered and put down her bowl and started to get up. "I'm going to get a sweater. I'm starting to get cold. "Vincent reached out for her hand. "Here use mine, I'm not cold at all." He started to take off his crimson hoodie. She suddenly realized that she had never noticed what he wore because she never really couldn't look away from his face. He wore a grey t-shirt underneath that fit snugly, emphasizing how muscular his chest and arms were. She put on his hoodie in which she breathe in his scent.
Once she finished her soup, she placed it on her coffee table. She started coughing and leaned forward to reach for the tissues. Vincent put his bowl down and gently started to rub the small of her back. She looked back and weakly smiled at him. "I'm sorry. I'm such a bad host".
"Hey you're sick. Don't worry about it." He assured her. "Besides I just pretty much showed up uninvited. I could leave if you want to get some rest".
"I'm tired. But would you mind staying?" She was surprised how honest she was being with him. It must be the medicine. She looked up at her clock and noticed the time. "Although, I may know of somewhere a lot more entertaining than being here".
Vincent looked at her confused.
"Gabe's party! Just so you know his parties are EPIC!"
"Think I'm partied out from last night, besides there's nowhere I'd rather be right now. It's too easy to be myself around you".
"REALLY?" She squealed as she covered her mouth and couldn't believe her reaction.
Vincent cupped her face and moved a strand of hair over her ear. He gazed into her eyes.
"Look, like I said I'm where I want to be."
He reached over to her and pulled her close. He wrapped his arm around her waist. Catherine surrendered to his touch, she rested her head on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat was soothing. The medicine is now taking its effect. Vincent looked down and watched her fall asleep. He place his head gently on top of hers and closed his eyes.