"I have to text them and tell them to look out the window!" She exclaimed.
The rest of the evening was quiet, but everyone agreed that they should cut their trip short and go home.
**
The next morning when they met in the hotel lobby, Lisa informed the others that Rowen took an early morning bus home. She didn't even try to stop him because of the confrontation the day before.
Joseph and Rowen were direct rivals and were both extremely jealous people. Lisa had assumed Rowen was in love with Kate, but until he announced his feelings in front of everyone, he was able to show his face. He held on to his wishful thinking that he might have a chance. However, after his drunken confession, it not only distanced him further from Kate, but it made her friends uncomfortable.
Nick was thrilled that Rowen left early, that meant he had Lisa to himself. Even though he had tried to get her attention and to do everything he could to please her, Lisa was impatient with him and focused on Rowen the entire day. As he helped the drunk Rowen back to his room, Nick thought about beating him but couldn't with Lisa there to take care of him. His jealously made him feel as if he was losing his mind; he hit a wall on the way back to his room. With his rival gone, Nick felt as if he could take on the world.
"You don't need to hover around me!" Lisa snapped impatiently at Nick.
Nick pouted and said, "I just want to make you happy."
"Getaway!" Lisa was unhappy about Rowen leaving.
Lowering his head, Nick tried not to upset Lisa any further. He looked up and saw Kate coming down the stairs. He ran over to greet her, "Good morning, Kate! You look as if you slept well!"
Kate looked at Nick, he was acting strange, "I slept okay…"
"Just okay?" Nick's eyes opened wide, and he grinned, "You weren't satisfied with Joseph's performance last night?"
Kate flushed with embarrassment and spoke honestly, "We didn't do anything last night. And why is that any of your business? You need to stop thinking about our personal life so much!"
"Nothing happened last night?" Nick was surprised. He shook his head, "You two are alone in the room and in love! Something should have happened! That is so not right!"
Not knowing what to say, Kate just stared at Nick. She was thankful when Joseph walked over and said, "What is the matter?"
"Nothing, I'm going to have breakfast," Kate was afraid that Nick would continue on about their intimate lives, so she quickly walked away.
Joseph began to follow Kate, but Nick grabbed his arm and whispered, "Joseph, Kate said nothing happened with you two last night. Is that true? How are you so calm about things?"
Finally, understanding why Kate's face was so red, Joseph punched Nick in the stomach.
Joseph smiled and walked over to the table that Kate was sitting at. There was a plate waiting on the table for him.
Kate looked up and smiled, "Do you like it?"
"You ordered me breakfast, of course, I like it!" Joseph said, very naturally.
Noelle heard their conversation and began choking on her eggs. She pointed at her glass and mumbled, "Water! Water!"
Kate swiftly handed her a glass of water and patted her on the back, "Feel better?"
After Noelle drank the water, she could breathe again, "Can you not speak so lovingly in front of me? You made me choke!"
"Really?" Joseph raised his eyebrows and asked back, "Do you still want to be the third wheel?"
Noelle was speechless. She knew Joseph liked to tease her; she had to let it stop bothering her.
Kate also knew that Joseph was joking, "Noelle, don't listen to his nonsense! He did compliment you yesterday!"
"I know he is always joking with me. If I get angry with him every time, I must be the crazy one," Noelle laughed.
When everyone was done breakfast, they took some time to buy souvenirs before returning home.
Kate knew that Cassie didn't want Joseph to know that she had been kicked out of her home by his grandfather. So, when they arrived back in town, she asked Noelle to give Cassie the items they picked up for her.
"Don't worry. I promise I will pass on your loving gifts to my aunt and my mother," Noelle smiled.
In Kate's eyes, Noelle had always been energetic and optimistic. She smiled back, "When you get back to school, make sure you take care of yourself. We will get together on your next break!"
"I am counting the days until then!" Noelle beamed.
Joseph stood to the side, watching the two women reluctantly say goodbye. Then before leaving, Noelle proudly said to him, "Kate loves me more!"
"You are sincerely spoiled, Noelle!" Joseph yelled after her.
"Do you know while we were married, only your mother, your aunt, and Noelle were kind to me? Our friendship has passed the test of time!"
"She is so innocent, just like her mother. She had never been greedy about the family property. It is a good thing!"
"We should remember their kindness to us," Kate was also very grateful for everyone helping Cassie in her time of need.
"Of course!" Joseph put his arm around her, "Let's go back to my place and get a good rest!"
"Okay," She nodded, "First though, we need to go to the supermarket for some food. We are going to make our own supper tonight!"
Joseph was eager to spend time alone with Kate. He did offer to have supper made for them so that they could relax.
Kate told him, "You seldom eat homemade meals. Amy used to cook a lot, but nobody ate it! It was a waste of time and food!"