Chapter 4

“You’ll see,” he quipped. After another few minutes, he poured whatever it was in a bowl and sat it in front of me. I looked at the contents in the bowl and back at him with surprise.

He smiled sheepishly. “I remember you always like it when you didn’t feel good. You used to have your mom make it.”

I looked at the bowl of tomato rice soup again. My chest tightened and I smiled at him. “Thank you.” I started sipping the soup and I instantly started to feel better. I glanced over to Wren who was watching me intently. “You’re staring.”

He smiled and a chuckle escaped him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to. It’s just—really good to see you, Cath.”

“You, too, Wren.” It was the truth. Now that I thought about it, if we had our reunion in a not so public place, I probably wouldn’t have had an attack. I had never done well around strangers.

“Cath, we’re here now. Alone. Just the two of us. Why didn’t you tell me about the attacks?”

I sat my spoon in my bowl and turned towards him. “You left, Wren. You went across the country. It’s not like there was anything you could do.”

He had a pained expression on his face before he replied, “You could have called me. Or texted. You know I’ll always be there for you.”

As a friend whispered through my mind. I got up from the stool and put my dish in the sink. “I know that, Wren.” I filled the bowl with water before I asked, “So, what did you tell West and your parents?” Right now, I was in desperate need of a change of subject.

He shrugged and took a seat on the couch. “I told them you weren’t feeling well and I was going to take you for a drive so we could catch up.”

I left the kitchen and walked into the livingroom. As far as excuses went, it wasn’t horrible. It wouldn’t seem odd with me and Wren being close friends. “I guess that works.”

He was quiet for a few moments. “I’m assuming West doesn’t live here?”

Great. Awkward conversations. Actually, now that I thought about it, it was probably only awkward to me because I had feelings for Wren. He only looked at me as a friend, then it was probably just normal catching up stuff. “No. He’s been asking me to. I’m not ready for anything like that.”

Wren stretched before he got to his feet. “Maybe I should let you get some rest.”

Panic filled me and I quickly stood up. Whenever I had an attack like I did tonight, it took a lot out of me; and I was always alone. I didn’t want to be alone. I wanted Wren to stay a little longer, but I couldn’t find the words to ask him.

He read my expression before he sat back down on the couch and handed me the remote. “Why don’t we see what’s on TV?”

I sat back down next to him and let out a relieved breath. “Yeah, sounds good.”

I let out a large yawn as I finally hit send on the last unanswered email in my inbox. I was so ready to leave. I’ve been working at this law firm since I graduated college as the personal assistant to the lead partner.

I enjoyed it and it was good money, but lately I’ve been a little on edge. Having Wren back in town really did change a lot of things. I thought about him frequently while he was in California for school. Now, he consumed my thoughts even more now that he was back.

We both had ended up falling asleep on the couch that night. When I had woken up that morning, he was gone and had left a note. His note wasn’t anything special. It simply said that he had some stuff to take care of and he would talk to me later.

I let out a frustrated breath as I logged out of my computer. Why did he effect me this way? Why did Wren have to invade every thought that I had? It crushed me when I told him how I felt on the day of our high school graduation, and he shut me down. Then he left for four years and I thought that I would get over him.

Clearly, I haven’t. To make matters worse, I was dating his brother. I did care about West and I was attracted to him; but something about our so-called relationship didn’t feel right. All the times that I’ve kissed West haven’t even come close to the very few times I had kissed Wren. When Wren and I kissed, it was like everything in the world fell away.

The last time that happened was the night of our high school prom. Refusing to relive that memory, I got up from my desk and started walking to my car.

“Catherine!”

I stopped and turned when I heard my boss’s voice. “Yes, Mr. Anderson? Did I forget something?”

He smiled as he stopped in front of me. Kyle Anderson was a middle-aged tall man with salt and pepper hair. He has been happily married to his wife Patricia for twenty years. I haven’t had many bosses in my life, but to me he was a good one.

“No, not at all,” he said kindly. “I just wanted to let you know that I approved your request.”

“I’m sorry, sir. My request?”

His smile vanished; his expression turning pensive. “Yes. For your upcoming family trip. I think your boyfriend called this morning and spoke to HR about it.”

Wait, West called my office? Why would he do that? I told him before not to interfere with my work. I don’t even know what request he’s even talking about.

I faked a smile as I put my hand to my head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Anderson. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately and completely forgot about it. Thank you so much for approving it!”

I swear, when I see West…

“No problem,” my boss said as he turned to leave. “Have a good night, Catherine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”