My Only Love

Chapter 53

Nate sighed out exasperatedly as he saw the traffic before him. For crying out loud he had been stuck for nearly an hour. There was an accident in the interstate highway. He and his boss had an out of town hearing today. A major case that required full concentration. It had been a long day for him. Right now he felt tired cranky and agitated. Even his mobile phone bogged down which gave him no way of reaching Kate. He had look at his watch for the nth time wondering what time he would reach Kate's house. It was her birthday today and he wanted to see her and hug her even if he knew Ryan would be there. He looked at the passenger side of the jeep making sure he had Kate's gifts with him. Nate knew she would love them both especially the personalized gift he had made just for her and a card with a poem in it that practically brought out his feelings for Kate to see.

Tomorrow was the day he would have dinner with Kate. He had picked a very special place a seafood restaurant near a lake. Somewhere really romantic where they could talk. With candle light and the works. This time he was going to open his heart raw for her to see with all the pent up love he had for her all these years. It was about time. He had postponed this moment far too long. Nate was filled with mixed emotions. One part of him was excited and the negative part feared her rejection. Wondering inside himself what would happen to him if she would deny his love. He felt his pulse quicken at those thoughts. But he had to have the strength this time and take the plunge. Whether it would put him straight to heaven filled with happiness or crush him completely. That was the risk he had to take to know where he stood with Kate for once in his life.

The traffic was easing out as he smiled thankfully. He was going to be late but he was going to make it. How Nate longed to see her today imagining her beautiful face, the teasing flirty smile she had when she was looking mischievous. The naughty pout looking like a little kid. The fluttering in her eyes. The cascade of her glorious honey blonde hair. The intensity of his love for her scared him sometimes. But that was love you had to take your chances. Today was Kate's day and he was not going to miss it for the world.

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Kate looked around her entire backyard loving the ambiance of the place. Together with her mother they had transformed it with lounge wicker chairs together with floral pots all around. The array of food they placed on a table covered with a red checked table cloth. The luscious smell of grilled barbecue and spareribs permeating all around. She could see Shelly and Tim grilling something while laughing. Her other officemates drinking contentedly. It was just a small birthday celebration among friends. But why was she uptight? She glanced at her watch for the umpteenth time. Where was Nate? He had called earlier this morning to wish her happy birthday and that he would come. But it had been almost two hours and still there was no sign of him. She was worried. It was not like him not to call when he would be really late. A frown etched in her face just as she felt Ryan rub her back looking at her with concern evident in his hazel eyes.

Are you alright? He asked his voice soft and tender. You're frowning you know.

I'm fine. Just wondered were Nate is. He promised to come and yet he is so late. I know he'll be coming from Rhode Island but he should have called. She uttered exasperatedly.

At the mere mention of Nate's name something inside of Ryan felt irritated. Nate her shitty best friend who deep inside Ryan hated. Kate was worrying over him again. A surge of jealousy hit him but he tried his best to quell it for the sake of comforting Kate.

C'mon stop worrying over him. Nate's a grown man he can handle himself. Maybe he just got stuck in traffic. You know how it is on a Friday. And besides I'm here. Am I not enough Kate?