Just One Thing (The Alexanders 6)

Which was why he was so shocked when Katie came out of his office with a guarded look on her face.

“Is everything okay?”

He wasn’t sure what could be wrong. She’d only gone into his office to check his messages since she’d forgotten to do it earlier. Since Katie had come, Bennett rarely even looked at his phone or listened to his messages anymore.

“Sure. You just had a message from Olivia.”

“Oh. Well, I can call her back later.”

That was clearly the wrong thing to say because Katie’s eyes flashed fire.

“Bennett, she was asking about where you wanted to go for dinner before the award ceremony next weekend. Why does she still think you’re taking her?”

He could feel the warning sound in the back of his mind but wasn’t sure how to interpret it.

“Because I am. I usually visit Olivia a few times a year and it just so happens that our visit this time will be at the awards ceremony.”

Katie’s eyes practically bugged out of her head. “Wait, so you’re perfectly fine with taking another woman on a date?”

The warnings sounds now came with flashing lights and barricades.

“No. It’s not a date. It’s just me hanging out with Olivia.”

Katie’s eyes narrowed. “The same woman that you hired me to teach you how to impress?”

Bennett opened his mouth to respond but Katie had already turned away.

“I have to go. Mrs. Hillard is bringing over her grandson to play with the kids tonight. She’ll be arriving soon.”

All Bennett could do was watch helplessly as Katie gathered her things. He tried to catch her eye but she wouldn’t meet his gaze. Panic rose as he wondered what he should do. She didn’t want to talk, that much was clear, but he couldn’t just let her leave.

“Katie, wait. Please don’t leave angry. Tell me what to do.”

She tugged on her hand and hitched her bag up higher on her shoulder. “I can’t tell you how to fix this one, Bennett. I need you to figure it out on your own. Because I’m not interested in sharing my boyfriend with someone else.”

“I know it looks bad but Olivia and I are just friends. I can’t cancel on her this close to the event. That would be rude.”

Katie gave a sharp nod. “Right. Pardon me. Because you’ve always been so keen on following the rules of etiquette. Have fun at the award ceremony.”

Bennett’s mouth fell open as she pushed past him and closed the door behind her. He had to stop himself from chasing after her. If she was angry now, making a scene definitely wouldn’t help his case.

But he didn’t think he was being unreasonable. Was he really supposed to ditch a longtime friend just because he had a girlfriend now? Was that really the way things worked? He contemplated calling one of his brothers to ask but Katie’s sharp words came back to haunt him.

I need you to figure it out on your own.

That burned. Her angry words had hit him right in the gut. Bennett sighed. If figuring it out on his own was the solution, then he might as well give up hope now.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

?

Katie stirred her margarita and wished she liked the taste of tequila straight. Because these cutesy drinks weren't getting the job done tonight.

Girls' Night had gotten off to a roaring start when Raina had walked in and announced that she’d just been booked for her first major modeling campaign since having her daughter. Everyone was in a celebratory mood after that and the alcohol flowed freely. In addition to Raina and Ridley, Penny, Kaylee and her best friend, Sasha, rounded out the group. They were at Ridley’s house, so she wouldn’t have to go far, and they all felt comfortable letting their hair down.

Everyone except Katie, that is.

She took another sip of her drink, determined not to bring everyone down with her disgruntled mood. Katie hated to be the lone buzzkill, especially since she knew if the other girls found out she was upset, the entire night would become about helping her with her man trouble. It wasn’t fair to put everyone in a bad mood just because Bennett was impossible.