Damn The Day I Met You

Chapter Thirty-Two

Their voices echoed after me, calling me back to the party. But I couldn’t go back. I couldn’t face them again. I ran as far as my legs would let me go and ended at my mother’s old apartment. It may not be the place I had in mind, but it would do. Once my dad moved back full-time and my younger brother was born, we moved from this apartment to an actual house.

But my mother always kept the place, and rented it out for really cheap to single mothers who were struggling. When it was between women, like how it is now, I got to spend my time home at the apartment instead of the house. Sometimes I think that’s to keep Max and me to stop fighting more than anything.

One of the problems with the house though was that there wasn’t a lot to do. The only thing the place was constantly stocked with was baking items. Beyond that, my mom made me do the shopping—something I hadn’t gotten around to do yet.

Baking was a relaxing activity for my mother. Even Max inherited her skills and techniques. Not me though. I could bake, sure, but if anything it just stressed me out more. Looking around I realized I really didn’t have many options. I needed a distraction and baking would have to be it. With that in mind I got to baking a simple cake.

“You are definitely not a natural at that.” The voice behind me makes me jump and freeze at the same time. How many times was he going to sneak up on me like that? Let alone break into my apartment.

“What are you doing here?” I ask instead of responding to his insult.

“Unlike the woman calling after you, I just followed. May I say you ran quite fast and far for being in heels? I almost lost track of you at one point.”

“Too bad you didn’t.” I mumble and turn my focus back to my bowl of batter.

I hear Tristan take a few more steps towards me. “Put the spoon back down Katie, you still have a wedding to attend.”

“They’ll understand.”

“I don’t know about that. It seemed like you had a pretty important role in tonight’s shindig.”

“And how would you know?”

“I saw multiple women in that exact same dress as I left the area.”

“I’m not going back. But be my guest—I’m sure they need you there. The chef can’t exactly leave.”

I notice him shrug by seeing his shadow and slump a little. I had really been hoping that would get him out of here. “It’s just the cake and champagne left. Your mom can cover that.”

“It’s her nephews’ wedding!”

“Yet it’s her catering company.” I freeze. No one told me my mom started a catering company. No one had mentioned it at the few dinners and events I had spent at the house. It’s not that I was spending a lot of time with my family, quite the opposite actually, but it seems like that would be some big news to tell. Obviously it wasn’t. I feel him behind me before I have time to turn around. He steps to the side and takes the spoon from my hand. “Why don’t I explain some things to you?”

“I don’t need any explanations.” I jerk away and the spoon falls to the ground between us. I start to walk out of the room, trying to put distance between us.

“I shouldn’t have left that day.” He blurts out. “You’re acting as if this is only affecting you. But it hurts me too, Katie. It hurts a fucking lot. So please, sit down and let’s talk this out once and for all. It might actually do us some good.”

I gulp and walk into the living room with him following behind. I take a seat against the wall and stare at him, waiting for him to talk. “I don’t want you to feel like this was all a set-up, like everyone knew something you didn’t.”