CHAPTER THIRTY

We cleaned up, first ourselves and then the mess we’d made, and the more time that went by, the more silent Catherine became. Eventually, I just had to ask.

“Do you regret it?”

For a long time she didn’t say anything. She just finished the gingerbread men with the expertise of a professional baker, while wearing an undefined expression that was punctuated by a deep frown on her forehead. My heart sank when she nodded.

“I’m sorry,” I said, but I wasn’t quite sure if I was. Except for Allison, all I’d ever wanted from women was a quick fuck and then move on to the next. But for some reason I couldn’t picture Catherine in the role of friends with benefits, like Allison. That would be directly mean to her. I mean, when this obviously made her feel horrible, I couldn’t accept being the reason.

“I’m sorry,” I said again, and meant it this time. Even though I wanted so much more, I didn’t want to hurt her more than I already had. I hated the idea of this falling into the category of one-ni