Kate O'Brien sighed as she entered the Warsaw. A glimpse of them--together--made her start to turn, but her best friend, Drew Carey, was already waving her over. She swallowed hard and started towards the regular table.
Two months had passed since the party. That party had started as a small affair. Kate's then-boyfriend, Bobby, had offered to move the party to his spacious home. That was where everything had fallen apart.
Kate had been happily dating the handsome and rich lawyer...until her ex-fiance, Oswald Harvey, had met someone. Kate's jealousy turned into heartbreak after she dumped Bobby to ask Oswald to take her back.
She remembered the moment Oswald had introduced Olivia to her as his girlfriend. Liv was a young, bubbly and attractive girl. Kate could admit that much. But seeing Oswald's arms around her was always too much. Two months later, the couple was seriously dating.
The only person who knew was Drew. Drew, unattached and cute as a button, spent much of his time divided between Kate and Oswald. Oswald suspected nothing. Drew always managed to make up excuses to explain Kate's absence at the gang's hangout. Oswald could be very gullible sometimes.
Kate's eyes strayed to the tall man seated on Oswald's other side. Lewis Kiniski. Almost slap-happy Lewis. Lewis had finally found someone at the party. Cherilyn Gerard was the perfect girlfriend and friend. She was the most creative, intelligent and inspirational Korean girl the gang had ever known. Her easy-going style captured Lewis' heart, and not only that, she had become one of the gang.
"Hey, Kate," Drew said, grabbing a chair and pulling it to his other side.
"Did you decide to skip your farm discussion group tonight?" Oswald asked.
Kate shot a look at Drew. Farm discussion group? "Yeah."
"Glad you're here, Kate," Liv said with a smile.
Kate glanced at Liv and felt almost sick. "Excuse me." Kate got up and ran for the door.
"What was that all about?" Cher asked.
"I'll see if she's all right. See you guys." Drew went out the door.
"Well, Livvie, I'll walk you home."
"Oswald, it's two blocks from here," Liv protested. "I'm a big girl."
"I'm not worried about you." Liv looked at him. "I'm worried about the cracks in the sidewalk that make you trip."
Liv laughed. "That was bad, Oswald!"
"I'll show you bad." Oswald planted a quick kiss on her lips and waved to Lewis and Cher.
When they disappeared, Cher turned to Lewis.
"Lewis, I'm worried about Kate."
"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be able to catch up on the group next week."
"Not that, silly!" Cher tapped the table with her fingers. "Come on."
Cher grabbed Lewis' hand and pulled him to the door. Thunder was rumbling in the distance. Cher knew she had to get up in the morning, but she had to see Kate.
Lewis caught Cher's arm a few feet down the street. He motioned to the two forms just ahead of them. Cher crept a little closer desite Lewis' attempts to keep her back.
"Kate, I'm only telling you this because I care, damn it! Oswald is happy...with Olivia," Drew was saying.
"I can get him back," Kate sobbed stubbornly. "I swear to you, Drew Carey, I love that man and I will get him back!"
Kate turned and ran, leaving Drew alone in the street and Cher a few feet away.
Cher turned and slowly went back to Lewis. He opened his arms and Cher willingly stepped into them. With one look, Cher knew Lewis could read her mind...too well sometimes...
"I can't imagine what Kate is feeling...watching someone she loves be happy with someone else," Cher murmured into Lewis' shoulder.
"Cherry, it's all right." Lewis kissed her head.
Cher knew that Kate almost always got her way...and Irish people were notorious for being stubborn.
"Oswald missed out. I'm just glad I didn't."
Cher pulled away and looked up at Lewis. "What do you mean?"
"You bring out this whole other side to me, Cher. I was so alone before you. I think I'd given up on love. No drug at DrugCo could've convinced me someone like you would come my way."
Cher smiled gently up at him and leaned in for a gentle kiss goodnight.
Meanwhile, Liv paced in her living room. She'd seen that look in Kate's eyes...that look that had haunted her since the party. Oswald didn't see it, but Liv sure did. She knew Kate was in love with Oswald.
In love? No....more like obsessed! Liv sighed and sat down on the floor in front of her couch, slipping her arms over her knees. She couldn't compete Kate...ever.
