“What about you?” he asked.
“What about me?”
“How are you and Katherine?”
Ben chuckled. “I’m madly in love with her and I’m not afraid to admit it. To you. I haven’t quite told her. I don’t want to send her running in the opposite direction.”
“Oh, that’s brave,” he teased.
“I’m taking it slow. I don’t want to freak her out. Maybe after tomorrow and we know what Tim is going to do I can tell her how I feel,” he said, still nervous over the idea.
“Does she feel the same?”
Ben shrugged. “I don’t know. I think so, but I can’t force her to say it. I don’t want her to feel pressured into anything. In many ways, she is delicate. Then, on the flipside, she’s the strongest person I’ve ever met in my life. There is a fine balance between the two and I’m giving her the space she needs to explore her feelings.”
Will was looking at him like he was crazy. “Where is my friend? Who is this man speaking in riddles?”
“Whatever. It’s true. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy and that means letting her set the pace.”
Will nodded his head. “I really hope it works out for you two. I like her, and I know she makes you happy.”
“We should all go out again,” Ben suggested.
“I’m up for it.”
“We’ll wait until the dust settles with the Tim situation, but I think Katherine could use another night out like before. She had a blast and I want to show her a good time again,” Ben said, the idea sounding better the more he thought about it.
“I think Rachel would like that too. She’s always telling me she wa
nts to get to know Katherine better.”
“Perfect, I’ll talk to Katherine tonight. Hopefully she’ll be up for it soon,” Will said, excited to take her out, dance and really have fun without worrying about Tim coming after her.
He and Will finished their lunch, talking about their jobs and getting together soon for a round of golf. When Ben left the restaurant, he was feeling good about life in general. He was ecstatic to see Rachel and Will’s relationship progressing, even if it was at a rather lazy pace. He wouldn’t rush them. This was good for both of them and he was content with them being happy.
“You look happy,” Rachel commented as he strolled towards her.
“I am. I have everything in the world to be happy about.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Then I should probably not tell you that Meredith called and said it’s urgent that you call her back.”
His elation plummeted like an elevator freefalling. “Why? What’s wrong?”
Rachel shook her head. “I’m not sure.”
He stomped into his office and quickly called Meredith only to learn there had been a change in the meeting time for tomorrow. Once he hung up the phone, he rested his forehead on the desk, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart. It was no big deal. Meredith had asked for the change to accommodate a court appearance.
He was getting so used to Tim screwing things up, he’d immediately thought the guy had found out about the documents or had another trick up his sleeve. With his nerves back under control, he called Katherine to give her the updated schedule. He smiled when he heard the laughter in her voice. She was spending the day with Talia and it sounded as if she were having a blast. That was perfect. He wanted her to see how much their little world had to offer. She never had to run again.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Katherine
HER PALMS WERE SWEATY, and her stomach felt like it was filled with a million butterflies as she did her best to control her nerves. She couldn’t let Tim know he had her on edge. Her plan hinged on her being the one in control. It was important to turn the tables on him, let him know she was not afraid and would not run anymore.
She glanced behind her, looking out the windows of the conference room to see Ben and Meredith talking. They were conspiring to separate Tim from his lawyers. She couldn’t present her evidence if there were attorneys in the room. That would ruin the upper hand she wanted to hold onto for as long as possible. Her plan hinged on only her knowing about Tim’s illegal activities.
Katherine closed her eyes, inhaled and tried to relax. When she moved her hands away from the smooth table, she noticed palm prints left behind. She wiped her hands on the pantsuit she was wearing and prayed Tim showed up soon before she lost her nerve.