Page 102 of Running Home to You
“Fuck off,” Abby said, cutting between them. “She’s with me.”
“Oh yeah, what happened to you, sweetheart?” he asked Abby.
“Fell in the fountain at Caesars.”
Kate chuckled and Abby grinned as the unwanted attention staggered away. When their amusement faded, they stood across from each other, along the railing of the Bellagio’s famed fountains. Peoplecheered for the show as water shot into the air in time with the music and lights. Dean Martin crooned from the speakers, something about love being a kick in the head.
Abby’s heart picked up its sprint even though she finally had a chance to catch her breath. “I’m sorry,” she said.
Kate’s clenched jaw unhitched. “That’s it?”
“I know I owe you more than that.”
“You left me! So, you don’t get to be sorry!”
“I was doing what I thought was best!”
“Abandoning me?” Kate stalked away as water cannons spanned across the man-made lake. “After everything? I was ready to go all the way with you!”
“Well, I wasn’t!”
Kate wiped chestnut tresses out of her face. Her hard edges gave way to a wobbling chin, and the gentle, blameless eyes that Abby always surrendered to.
“You got the letter,” she whispered. “You couldn’t even write me back?”
“I wanted to, but—”
“But what? I begged you like a pathetic idiot to come back to me.” Kate shook her head as if trying to erase budding tears. “You knew exactly where I was for five years and nothing! Not even a rejection? Believe it or not, that would’ve been better. Do you know how much time I wasted waiting, praying, talking to God about you?”
Abby’s throat tightened. She didn’t think it possible to regret her choices more than she did, but this self-loathing sank into her bones, promising to never leave. “Kate, please. I’m sorry.”
“I left the door wide open for years, cracked longer than I should have just in case, and for what? Five years of silence? Five years of you talking to everyone but me? You don’t get to be a victim in this!”
“I couldn’t write it because I was never over you! I know I’m not a victim. I’m the fuckup! I made the first mistake, the last mistake, the several in between, the worst of which was thinking life might be better for us without each other.”
“Yeah, well, maybe it is!” Kate shouted as the first tears freed themselves.
“I always hoped it would be for you.” Abby frowned. “I’m sorry, okay? And I deserve whatever—” She stopped as Kate turned on a heel and walked off, restarting Abby’s chase. “Hold on. Don’t walk away!”
“Oh, you mean like you did?” Kate shouted over her shoulder.
Abby dodged past more stumbling tourists. “I get it, but can’t we just talk this out?”
“What’s left to say? You’re selfish! And you’re a jerk! And—” Kate paused when Abby swiped her wrist and tugged her back, forcing her to turn. They nearly bumped into each other as her final grievance fell to a whisper. “And-and I gave you everything I had…”
Kate’s cheeks flamed scarlet under the strip’s erratic spotlights. She stared into Abby as if breaking ground on all her regret and misery. Then the probe drifted downward to her lips. Their chests galloped in identical rhythm, separated by inches that radiated heat, the shared air laced with her tingle-inducing scent, always fresh with a hint of sweetness. Something that was just her. Abby swore Kate’s face eased closer, but maybe it was hers, coasting without permission, instinctually seeking what she once knew so well.
“No.” Kate sighed. Abby knew that sigh. It left her burning. Kate pulled her hand from Abby’s and pointed a finger in her face. “Don’t.”
Abby’s mouth fell. “I didn’t.”
“I’m still mad at you.” She huffed. “And whatever that was. No. No more.”
She stomped to the hotel, and Abby trailed her, keeping pace a step behind. They hadn’t done anything, but Abby knew why Kate recoiled. She knew what she felt. It electrified her, left her dazed, dumb, and bothered. Kate crossed her arms on the elevator to their rooms.
“I missed you,” Abby whispered as the doors slid closed.
Kate stared at her for a beat, then cleared her throat. “I have a boyfriend.”
