Page 42 of Passion and Privilege

“To authenticity,” I declared, lifting my glass.

Mr. Courtwright nodded. “It was good to see you, Catherine, and to meet you, Timothy. The ceremony will be starting soon.”

“We should find our seats,” Mrs. Courtwright added, her eyes shifting between Catherine and me, perhaps trying to determine the true nature of our relationship.

“Absolutely.” I watched as the older couple turned to mingle with other guests. “Are you okay?” I asked Catherine when we were finally alone.

She gave me a weak nod, her fingers tightly wrapped around the stem of her champagne glass. “I’ll be fine,” she replied, but her voice wavered. “I just wasn’t expecting that.”

“I know,” I agreed. I took a sip of my champagne before putting a comforting hand on her arm. “I’m here for you, Catherine. You’re not alone in this. Lean on me. I will follow your lead.”

Her gaze met mine, a hint of vulnerability in them. “Thank you. This is just a lot.”

“Trust me, I get it. I have to say, you’re brave. You’ve got courage facing all of these people.”

“You convinced me,” she said with a laugh.

“Yeah, well, maybe you shouldn’t take my advice.”

“Now you say it,” she said, laughing.

I took her hand, letting her know I was there for her. She squeezed my hand tightly, her small smile the only reassurance I needed that she was going to be okay. She was a tough cookie.

“Do you know anyone else here?” I asked.

“You know, it’s telling that I don’t.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Scott doesn’t have many friends,” she said. “He burned a lot of bridges. Most of these people are on the bride’s side. The few people that know him don’t know me. I was his girlfriend for five years and they don’t know who I am. I’m questioning everything.”

“That’s a tough realization,” I replied, squeezing her hand gently. “But it says more about Scott than it does about you.”

“He was always secretive...” Her voice trailed off, and her eyes were glassy and distant, haunted by the betrayal she had endured.

I knew the look. She was replaying every conversation and minute spent with him. She was looking for the signs of his deception. I had gone through the same thing.

“Did you do that?” she asked.

“What?”

“Think about all the stuff you missed?” she asked.

I laughed. “Yep. It will drive you crazy. Trust me, don’t try to analyze it. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent replaying all the conversations with her. I thought about the times we were at parties and I would catch her talking to different men. I always chalked it up to her just being friendly.”

“Yeah,” she said, nodding. “Scott used to talk to women all the time. I remember one woman seemed to know him, but I didn’t know her. I keep wondering how many there were. And then you know, I think about, well, you know.”

My lips quirked. “Sex. Were they using protection?”

“Yes!” She laughed. “It’s such a selfish thing to do for more than one reason.”

“Trust me, I get it.”

“I know I am better off without him, but damn, I just wish I wouldn’t have wasted so much time.”

“That’s how I felt,” I told her. “But you get over it. It’s no good giving them another thought. They aren’t worth your time.”

“Thanks. I guess I know that. Your house project has been a blessing. I’ve been so busy I don’t have time to worry about him.”