"Sure," Katie said. "The kitchen is right this way."
Ariel was one of those women who entranced men and intimidated women without breaking a sweat. Katie, on the other hand, had been sweating for the past forty minutes. She was not at her best as she showed the tall, gorgeous redhead back to the kitchen. Fortunately, Katie didn't seem to register on Ariel's radar, so she hadn't appeared the least bit critical.
Katie showed the other woman the freshly baked cake, the decorations and introduced her to Andre, who was their "kitchen liaison." Then she headed for the coffee station in the lobby.
After taking her first sip, she closed her eyes and inhaled the aroma. It wasn't that she needed the caffeine to feel awake--it was that the ritual would ground her in a world where goddesslike women weren't ex-girlfriends and former nerds like Jackson didn't make her heart beat faster with just a kiss...or a smile.
Just when she'd been thinking about possibilities, she thought grimly. She'd been so sure they'd had great chemistry, that he really liked her. That he'd been interested. Maybe he had been, but there was no way she could compete with someone like Ariel. Not that it was a competition, but still. Couldn't Jackson have dated someone slightly more...ordinary?
She refilled her cup and headed for the elevators. When they opened, her sister, Courtney, stepped out. It might be early, but Courtney was charmingly dressed in a flirty little skirt and formfitting top. Her long hair gleamed, her makeup was perfect.
"Katie." Courtney looked and sounded shocked. "What happened to you?"
"I worked out."
"You look awful." Her gaze narrowed. "Are you sure you're okay? Your face is really red."
"That's what happens when I exercise," Katie said cheerfully, trying to maneuver around her, only to have the elevator doors close. Sighing, she pushed the up button again.
"I know you have to work out because of your weight, but you really shouldn't be out like this in public. Alex always said--" Courtney paused and smiled tightly. "Did you sleep well?"
Katie could have pushed and discovered what Alex always said. That she wasn't at her best in the morning? That she didn't wake up looking radiant and tall? Then she decided it didn't matter.
"Fine," she said. "And you?"
Instead of answering the question, her sister put a hand on her arm. "I know this is hard for you."
Sleeping? Not so much. Most nights it was amazingly easy. "What is hard for me?"
"Seeing me with Alex."
"I've had nearly a year to get used to it."
"I know, but this is different. We're getting married. I know you thought you'd marry him."
"Not anymore," Katie assured her, silently begging the elevator to return and rescue her. "I'm fine."
"Mom had to buy you a date."
Katie sucked in a breath. "Jackson isn't an escort. No one paid for him." At least she didn't think so. "He's a friend of the family." Sort of.
"Still." Courtney looked both sympathetic and pitying. It wasn't a combination designed to make Katie feel better. "It's just so sad that more guys don't see beyond appearances. I couldn't stand it. You must be lonely."
Kill me now, Katie thought. Or maybe just Courtney. Before she could make a decision, the elevator arrived and she practically threw herself into it.
As the doors closed, Katie promised herself she was having wine with lunch.
Five
Katie fluffed her curls and sprayed them for the third time since using the curling iron. As long as she avoided open flames, she would be fine.
Tonight's dinner was to officially welcome the rest of the family members who had arrived that day and to serve as a celebration for the happy couple. The event was somewhat formal, so she'd chosen a cocktail dress that fit her perfectly. She'd paid extra for tailoring, but it had been worth it, she thought as she put down the hair spray and turned so she could see herself from the back. In the right light, and wearing her three-inch heels, she could almost pass for tall. Given how her day had begun, she deserved a little sass in her evening.
Although to be honest, after a hideous start, her day had gone reasonably well. She'd spent the morning welcoming the rest of the family members as they'd arrived. Jackson had been a friendly and handsome escort for lunch. They'd been seated at a table that didn't include Courtney and the willowy Ariel hadn't been seen. Katie was willing to call that a win.
She left the bathroom and walked toward her purse. As she reached it, someone knocked on the door.
Jackson, she thought, her heart beating a little faster than it should. Right on time.
Sure enough, her date for the weekend stood in the doorway, looking handsome and sexy in a dark suit, white shirt and gray tie.
"Is this formal enough?" he asked. "I brought a tux."