Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(9)

“How are you really, Krissy?” he asked softly.

Krista swallowed, tears coming to her eyes. “I always loved when you called me that.”

“I know.”

She sighed silently, then answered his question, “I’m lonely.”

Sean turned to her in confusion. “But I thought you had someone?”

“I guess.”

When she didn’t elaborate, he asked, “How long have you been with him?”

Krista was visibly uncomfortable talking about it. Chet was a different life. He existed in a different reality with a different Krista. Sean knew Krista Marshall. Chet knew Krista Fields. The two people had similarities, but were nowhere near the same. One had a past and a family and friends, and even a crazy ex-boyfriend. The other was just a name and a job.

“I’ve been seeing him for a year now.” She hesitantly asked, “How about you?”

Sean looked away from her. “Single.”

Krista sighed. It was irrelevant to her life, but it was still good to hear. “Did…ah, weren’t you seeing someone?”

Sean looked at her with a puzzled expression. “No. Not since... I haven’t had the time since you left.” He took a breath. “Am I still a part of the rumor mill?”

“Well…not really. Um, Marcus had said that Judy said you were rumored to have someone regular. But I haven’t heard much about you or anything. I just wondered about it when I heard we were coming here. So I asked.”

“You wondered?”

“You know… Yeah.”

They lapsed into silence again. People were leaving the dinner and getting into their cars. The party was breaking up. It was time to go. The whole night Krista had waited for the first available chance to leave, and now that it was at hand she wanted to do anything but. She was terrified of walking away and never seeing Sean again.

“How long are you staying?” he asked.

“In San Francisco?” He nodded. “A week. I want to visit with Kate and Jasmine. I thought I might get up the courage to surf Ocean Beach, as well.”

“The sharks won’t get you. You have nothing to worry about.”

“I wasn’t worried about the sharks. It’s the cold and the hippies that give me pause. I can’t figure out which is worse.” Krista hugged her arms to her chest. It was cold. She wasn’t used to it anymore.

Sean laughed. “Equally as scary, yes. Definitely. The surf is supposed to be big tomorrow. Would you like my jacket?”

It took Krista a minute to register the question. When she did she immediately bobbed her head and said, “Yes, please.” Having his jacket was a great way to stall.

As she dove into his smell and his warmth, she hugged the jacket close and put herself out there. “Maybe, um, you could show me the ropes? I’m not used to the rip tides out this way…” Her voice sounded strange and far away, even to her.

He looked at her. She turned and met his gaze. He was indecisive, Krista could tell that right away. But there was something else. Something she couldn’t identify. She fell into his eyes then, and was barely aware of her surroundings when he nodded. “You have to get a wetsuit.”

“I’ve already got one.” Krista needed to tone down her excitement level. “I used the travel clerk. I told her a very important businessman surfed instead of golfed and I was the only one that could hang with him.”

Sean chuckled, turning away. “I golf, too.”

“Oh well, don’t tell Cindi. She’s liable to stop doing me favors.”

Sean got serious again. “Okay. Best surf tomorrow is early. Say seven?”

“Don’t try to pull the punches, McAdams. I’ll be at your house at six. I am well used to ungodly early hours these days.” She paused a minute, then decided she got what she wanted, and it was best to go before he changed his mind. “Thanks for the jacket. I need to head in. I’ll see you tomorrow?” She unhappily shrugged out of his jacket and handed it back. He didn’t put it on again, but folded it over his arm.

“Sure,” he said, not looking at her. He didn’t sound thrilled.

And guess what, Krista didn’t care. It was one more day with him. She’d take it however she could get it!

~*~*~*~

Sean got home and headed for the couch immediately, beer in hand. He’d struck out with the account, but he’d known it would go that way. He’d basically struck out with Krista, as well. He couldn’t even talk to her. He couldn’t find a normal thing to say. She’d outgrown him in life. She was reaching for the stars and he was still trying to piece things together. Cassie had been right. He regretted letting her go. Now, as she was right in front of him but out of reach, he had to admit it.

“What’s up big bro?” Cassie asked as she walked into the room, settling herself into the recliner and flicking on the TV.

“I saw Krista today.”

Cassie froze, half crouched, remote halfway to the coffee table. She looked at him slowly. “What was that?”

“She was on the team that assessed our work. My work.”

“How did it go?” Cassie sat down calmly, TV forgotten.

“She trampled me. She saw through every cover up I tried to pull.”

“I don’t care about that. Did she smile a lot? Did she make conversation? How did she seem? Did she fidget? Tell me the details.”