The Same Last Name
A/N Nothing new. Enjoy the chapter:)
Chapter 9
Every Saturday night, the spa held a huge bonfire down by the lake. The staff put up flyers and called each room to invite any who wished to attend. On this particular Saturday, however, Catherine decided to personally go to everyone's rooms, and extend the invitation.
Heather decided to tag along, intrigued by Catherine's new attitude. Since she and Vincent had talked, Catherine had been re-examining everything from the past. She remembered Vincent coming to see her in the hospital, his appearance drawn, his eyes troubled. At the time, she had thought that he was relieved it was over. But now, she knew that he had been just as affected as she had been. She also realized that she had greatly misjudged Vincent.
She was also coming to terms with the fact that she was still very much in love with him. Yes, she had loved him at 18, but it had been a childish love. Now she was a mature woman of 23, with the life experience to know that it was hopeless. He was leaving in 2 weeks, and she would never see him again.
Yes, they had slept together, but it wasn't because of love, at least not on his part. No, it was simply two people who shared a past taking comfort in one another. Catherine realized that what happened probably would not happen again, as much as she wanted it to. If she was being perfectly honest with herself, she would admit that it probably shouldn't have happened to start with. They both had given in to the torrent of emotions that had encompassed them, each seeking forgiveness from the other.
Catherine silently admitted that she wanted so much more...
When Catherine and Heather reached their rooms, they knocked on the first door. It was immediately opened by Tess. She smiled widely, and invited them inside.
"I was hoping to see you again, Cat! I keep meaning to come see you, but there is so much to do here, and you always seem too busy to chat," Tess told her.
"You can come bother me anytime. I really don't mind at all," Catherine said, liking her immensely.
"What brings you here? Certainly not a certain hunk, or you would have gone to his room first," Tess winked, causing Catherine to blush and causing Heather to throw her a confused look.
When Catherine failed to answer, Heather piped up. "We have a bonfire every Saturday night. It's down by the lake. We are inviting everyone personally."
"Sounds great! I love bonfires. They are so warm and cheery," Tess exclaimed. "Do you need any help setting up? I could come and help get things ready."
"Oh, thank you, but that's not necessary. We have enough staff to do all that. Just come down at around 6, and have a good time. There will be music and dancing," Catherine told her.
Tess smiled wider. "I will definitely be there. And, my offer still stands. If you need anything, just let me know."
"We will. Thank you," Heather told her.
As they were leaving Tess' room, she pulled Catherine to the side, and whispered, "Don't worry about Alex. She is all bark but very little bite."
Catherine looked at her questioningly, but gave no reply. They moved on to the rest of the rooms. Evan asked if liquor was gonna be served. JT and Joe said they would both be there. Alex said that a bonfire was not her idea of a good time.
When Catherine knocked on Vincent's door, she heard a breathless, "Just a second." Catherine's insides started to quiver, just hearing his gravelly voice. Seconds later, the door was pulled open. Vincent stood in the doorway, sweaty and shirtless. Catherine's mouth watered. Behind her, she heard Heather squeak.
Composing herself, she smiled and said, "Well, that is a nice sight."
Vincent stared at her, a smile tipping his lips. "Like what you see, do ya?"
My God, was he flirting with her? Catherine quickly grabbed on to the game. "I always liked what I see."
Vincent laughed, and for the first time, noticed Heather. "And who is this?" he asked, gesturing.
"This is Heather. She works the front desk."
"Hi," Heather gasped out. She was staring at Vincent's broad chest. Vincent backed into the room, grabbing his shirt off the bed. Slipping it on, he invited them in.
"What's up?" he asked.
"We are having a bonfire down by the lake tonight, and we are inviting everyone. It starts at 6, and there will be music and dancing," Catherine told him.
"Sounds great. Need any help?" he offered. Catherine started to reply, but Heather cut her off.
"We can always use help. Know how to build a bonfire? The guys here always make it too small," Heather said, smirking at Catherine.
"Heather..." Catherine hissed, a warning in her voice.
"Sure I do. What time do you want me there?"
"That isn't necessary..." "Around 5:30..." Catherine and Heather answered at the same time. Vincent raised an eyebrow, and quirked a smile. Catherine sighed.
"We have all the help we need. Forget what Heather said," Catherine said, a light blush staining her cheeks. Vincent chuckled.
"Well, if you change your mind..." he said, a teasing note to his voice.
"I won't, but thanks for the offer," Catherine told him finitely.
Vincent shrugged. "See you later then."
"Yeah, see ya," Catherine replied.
Back outside, Heather gaped at her. "I knew it! You do know him! Holy crap, but that man is HOT!"
Catherine blushed. "Yes, Heather. I know him. Vincent is my ex-husband. We divorced 5 years ago."
Heather's eyebrows hit her hairline. "Seriously!? And you let him get away? What the hell is the matter with you?"
"I don't want to talk about it, Heather. Maybe some other time."
"Well, he was definitely flirting with you. Are you sure he wanted a divorce?"
Catherine didn't respond. At this point, she honestly wasn't sure of anything anymore.
Catherine and the rest of the staff made their way down to the lake around 4:30. They set up tables, put drinks on ice and set out the snacks. She tasked a couple of the younger staffers to find logs for the fire.
Catherine was so engrossed in setting up the sound system, that she jumped when a gentle hand touched her shoulder. Her arm was immediately gripped, keeping her from losing her balance.
Turning around, she saw Vincent standing there, still gripping her arm. He smiled and she wanted to melt.
"Hey," he offered softly.
"Hey," she offered back.
"You look very pretty," he said, looking her up and down. Catherine had opted for a light sundress, with matching sandles. Her hair was loose, cascading down her back. Vincent felt his jeans tighten.
"So do you...look nice, I mean. Not pretty," Catherine said, tripping over her words. He was dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt, but he still looked mouth watering. Vincent chuckled. He released her arm, and stepped back a little. Catherine lamented the lose of his body heat.
"So, it looks like you are having some trouble. Need any help?" he offered.
"Actually, yes. Josh pulled all the wires out last time, and now I can't figure out which ones go where."
Between the two of them, they managed to get everything back in order. Catherine flipped the "on" switch, and soft music drifted out. She sat back with a smile.
"Thank you. That helped a lot. I would probably be throwing this in the lake by now," Catherine told him. Vincent laughed.
"Yeah, patience was never your strong suit."
"At least I can admit it," she said sweetly.
Vincent shook his head, a smile stretched across his face. "I just can't get over this."
"Over what?" she asked, confused.
"This," he said, gesturing between the two of them. "Why couldn't we be like this before? Why did we let everything get so far out of hand?"
She cupped his cheek. "It's in the past. We were both different people, forced into a situation neither was ready for. We are both older now, and have learned from the past."
His eyes darkened, and he leaned closer. Whispering in her ear, he said, "God, you look so beautiful. Is it wrong that I want you again?"
Catherine closed her eyes. "No, it isn't."
"Catherine..." he started, his lips descending toward hers, when they heard another voice.
"Hey, Cat! Where do you want the bonfire set up?" one of the male staffers yelled. Realizing the spell was broken, Catherine and Vincent stepped away from each other. He cleared his throat.
Throwing him an apologetic look, she walked over to the boy, and directed him toward where she wanted him to set it up.
A/N more with the bonfire next chapter. Review!