“Because right now, she’s loyal to me. If she gets married, she’ll be loyal to her husband. Let’s face it… no guy is going to want his wife working that closely with me every day. Not even you.”
Especially not me.
“So you want Katie to be single for the rest of her life, just so she can keep working for you?”
They turned up the path toward the cottage.
“I’m not wishing a lonely life for her. But she told me she’s had one long-term relationship, and it turned sour.”
Steven had surprised Gary with this tidbit, but he didn’t let on. “She’s bound to meet the right guy eventually.”
“But for the time being, she’s determined to stay single. As long as that’s her plan, she’s the ideal PA for me. And who knows… if she changes her mind about being married, I might change mine, too.”
In one fell swoop, Steven had set a boundary and claimed Katie for himself. But for the first time, Gary felt inclined to challenge the man who’d become his best friend after saving his life. Maybe it was because Steven seemed to discuss Katie as if she were a business asset, rather than a woman with thoughts and feelings.
Of course, Gary knew better. Steven was the most generous and caring person he’d ever met, but he kept his feelings behind a mask of steel. The only time the man ever softened was around his grandmother, Gram, the ninety-plus-year-old on a mission to end her grandson’s bachelorhood.
Even though Steven probably cared a great deal for Katie, Gary couldn’t help feeling defensive of her. “I’m your friend, Steven, and I want your business to run smoothly. I want you to have a great personal assistant, like Katie. But I’m not convinced that staying with you is her best long-term option. She’s going to run herself ragged trying to keep pace with you. She needs someone who appreciates her for who she is, not what she does.”
From the look on Steven’s face, he was struggling to keep his temper. “And that man is you?”
“I’m not sure,” Gary said. “I’ve only known her for a few days.”
“Exactly,” said Steven. “I think I have a better idea what she needs.”
“Can we agree that both of us want Katie to be happy?”
Steven’s mouth opened and closed a few times, as if he were carefully considering his response. “I not only want her to be happy, but I’ve made certain she is.”
“How? By giving her a generous salary?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. And I also tell her what a great job she’s doing. She knows how pleased I am.”
They climbed the steps to the cottage porch.
“Wow.” Gary iced his words with sarcasm. “Every woman’s dream.”
Steven blinked confusion, uncertainty flitting across his face. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Let me give you some advice… If you really care about a woman, you have to let her see what’s going on in here.” Gary stabbed his finger into Steven’s chest with a little more force than was necessary.
“Thanks for the advice.” As he lifted his hand to knock on Katie’s door, Steven’s mouth stretched into something between a grimace and a smile. “Maybe I’ll do just that.”
“I love this place.” With her fork poised in front of her mouth, Katie paused to glance around the quaint café. “It reminds me of this cute restaurant in Allentown.”
“Allentown?” Gary asked. “Is that where you’re from?”
“She was born and raised there.” Steven intercepted the question before she could answer, as he’d done several times previously during dinner.
“I’ve never been,” Gary said. “Wasn’t there a song about Allentown?”
“Yes,” said Katie. “A Billie Joel song.”
“Cool.” Gary caught her gaze and held it, as if he were trying to send a secret message. “I’d like to visit sometime. Maybe you could show me around.”
Steven cleared his throat several times until he got their attention. “Katie, have you recovered from the kayak trip this morning?”
“Sure. I had a long nap and I feel great.” She wasn’t about to admit that she hurt all over. Even her hair ached. But she’d taken some ibuprofen and forced herself to walk to town without limping.