And Then He Kissed Me

by Southwick, Teresa

  “Yes.”

  “You can borrow mine,” he offered. “Take the heat off the Marchetti brothers. We’d thank you for it.”

  “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Why don’t you join us for lunch?” he asked.

  A second invitation for a meal with him and another woman. Why did he feel obliged to include her? Probably just pity. The thought rankled, but this time she was tempted. Except the last thing she needed was to watch Nick, up close and personal, being nice to his mom. She read all the women’s magazines. The articles said a man who was good to his mother was the best kind of husband material. Abby wasn’t looking for a husband, and had no intention of becoming a wife before she’d had a chance to find the right guy for her. She had seen what happened when a relationship was rushed. Her parents had been each other’s first, and they’d had to marry.

  But this was first-hand confirmation that the articles were right about him being irresistible. There was nothing sweeter or more appealing than a guy who took his mother to lunch and was actually looking forward to it.

  She shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but I can’t.” Before he forced her to come up with a phony excuse she said, “So, are you going to tell me why you dropped in?”

  “Actually I needed to talk to Rebecca about something.”

  Her manager. So, he hadn’t come to see her at all. She stifled her momentary pang of disappointment. She told herself that it truly was for the best that he didn’t want her. If she said it enough, she might actually believe it.

  “I’m sorry, Nick. She’s not here.”

  He frowned. “I thought she was coming in a couple of days a week to get back in the groove.”

  “She is. But mother and baby had a bad night. She’s coming in tomorrow. Shall I try her at home?” she asked, gripping the phone. It was still warm from his touch.

  Nick shook his head. “Don’t bother her. It can wait. I’ll call her tomorrow.”

  “I’ll let her know you stopped by,” she offered.

  “Thanks, Ab. I’m sorry I don’t have time right now to discuss your ideas.” He looked at his watch and shook his head. “But drop by my office and we can talk.”

  “Okay.”

  He snapped his fingers. “Any day but Thursday. I’ve got meetings all day.”

  “Okay.”

  “See you soon.” He smiled, a look that would make ice a goner. Then he was gone.

  She really wanted to discuss her plans with Nick. The last time had been exhilarating. She’d never known work could be so much fun. But every time she saw him, Abby had more and more trouble recovering her professional detachment. She hadn’t worked her tail off just to watch her career fall apart because of one slip on a Twister mat. A slip that had made her aware of him in ways she’d never been before. Maybe if they’d actually kissed, she would be able to put it in perspective. And forget about it. But they hadn’t, and she had to put it, and Nick, out of her mind.

  If it was the last thing she ever did, she had to straighten her politically correct mask and get back on business track. She would treat him like a boss. Deferential distance. Piece of cake, she told herself. If only she believed it.

  Thursday afternoon, Nick cancelled all his meetings after receiving a phone call from his mother. He headed for his brother Joe’s office to tell him about the conversation and started to push open the door when he heard a woman’s voice.

  “Thanks, Joe. I needed that.” Abby?

  Why was she in his brother’s office? More important, what had Joe given her that she needed? Maybe most important, why had those simple words tied him in knots?

  “You’re welcome,” Joe said. “Don’t worry, Abby. It’ll get easier.”

  What? Nick’s irritation clicked up a notch. Abby had promised to come and see him. Why was she there on the day he’d told her he would be tied up? What was she doing with his brother? The restaurant where she worked was only a few miles from the corporate office so it was reasonable for her to drop in any time.

  “I don’t know if it will get easier, but thanks for listening,” she said.

  “I’m always available. Come here.”

  Not only was eavesdropping slimy and underhanded, it didn’t set well with a man of action. Nick walked through the doorway. The knot in his gut tightened when he saw Joe holding Abby. His brother was a big man, as tall as Nick. She seemed to disappear in his arms. Nick hadn’t felt like this since his wife had dumped him for her old boyfriend. He’d done his best to keep the feelings from ever kicking up again. But here they were. Because of his brother. And Abby.

  Joe was a people person, a good thing since he was the Director of Human Resources for Marchetti’s Inc. He looked over Abby’s blond head and smiled. “Hey, Nick.”

  Abby glanced at him. “Nick!” Quickly she stepped away from his brother.

  Nick didn’t miss her guilty look or the pink in her cheeks. “Hi, Abby.”

  He studied Joe. Nothing out of the ordinary there, but his brother had had a lot of experience with women. Abby had none with men. If Joe decided to put the moves on her, she hadn’t acquired the know-how to deal with the situation. But Joe wouldn’t take advantage of that. Would he?

  Joe’s grin faded. “You look as if you’d like to yank the head off a doll. What’s up?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know.”

  Abby tucked her hair behind her ear. “Is something wrong?”

  Nick met her gaze. “You tell me.”

  Tell me what you’re doing here with my brother when I specifically told you I was unavailable today.

  Nick realized a couple of things in one of those moments of crystal clarity. He didn’t want Abby alone with playboy, confirmed bachelor, charming, outgoing Joe Marchetti. His second thought was that no way did he want another man hugging Abby, not even his own brother, especially his irresistible brother. His third was that he had no right to entertain thoughts number one and two. Unfortunately, that was the world’s smallest thought and didn’t diminish his testosterone surge one bit. Apparently his protective instinct for Abby was on overdrive. What else could it be?

  He cleared his throat as he tried to get a grip on his anger. “What are you doing here?”

  Abby glanced up at his brother, another quick, guilty look. “Rebecca looked over the quarterly report and was worried about the numbers. We discussed some of my ideas, and she agreed that they could generate business at the restaurant. She sent me over here.”

  Nick’s feelings took a detour into something territorial. She had first broached that subject with him.

  Joe rested a hip on his desk and folded his arms over his chest. “She’s got some dynamite plans, Nick. Two-for-one coupons, poor-but-hungry Tuesday, and—”

  “All-you-can-eat family night,” Nick finished.

  Joe nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. So she talked to you about this.”

  “Some,” he answered.

  Abby looked at him, worry creasing her forehead. “You were in a meeting, Nick. I was looking for Luke to run the numbers by him, but he’s not around. Joe saw me in the hall and called me in. He was kind enough to listen to everything, including my whining.”

  Nick couldn’t erase his mental picture of Abby in his brother’s arms. “So what was the hug for?” he snapped.

  “Just company T.L.C. Abby isn’t used to being a manager,” Joe said. “She doesn’t like calling off employees.”

  Nick knew he was being a jerk, but couldn’t seem to help it. “Is that right?”

  “Absolutely.” Joe had that I-know-something-you-don’ t-know look on his face.

  Nick didn’t like it any better now than he had when they were kids. “Well you’re wrong. It doesn’t get easier.”

  Nick hadn’t felt this irrational since that summer he’d spent in Phoenix. But there was no connection between what happened then and Abby. She was his friend. He hated it when rational thought returned. The bad part of a testosterone surge was picking up t
he pieces after he’d shot off his mouth. How could he salvage the situation?

  There was only one intelligent choice—make a stupid excuse for his churlish behavior and look like a jackass for a few seconds. It was the course of action better known as Plan B, or retreat and run like hell. He didn’t want to think about the way seeing Abby with his brother had made him feel. He decided it was just a fluke. His one foray into a relationship and the disaster that followed had destroyed the part of him that rationally processed relationship information.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry, Joe. Rough morning.”

  “I thought you were in meetings.”

  “I cancelled them. Just got a call from Ma. Grandma is in the hospital having tests.”

  “Yeah, your secretary gave me the message.” Worry creased his brother’s forehead. “Does Dad know? He was supposed to play golf today.”

  “He’s there with them. So is Luke.” He looked at Abby. “That’s why you couldn’t find him. Alex is out of town, but I left a message with his secretary.”

  “What’s wrong with your grandmother?” Abby asked, obviously concerned.

  “Chest pain,” Nick answered.

  “I’m so sorry,” Abby said. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Thanks, but no. Actually I was on my way there when I saw you,” Joe said.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” she cried. “This could have waited. Don’t let me stop you. Go.” Abby linked her arm through Joe’s and tugged him forward.

  For Nick, that playful, familiar touch was like a hot wind over glowing sparks. White-hot flames licked through him. He was beginning to see a pattern here. But something else bothered him more. Even if it was Luke she wanted to see, she’d deliberately dropped by on a day he, Nick, had told her he was unavailable. Why?

  The obvious answer was that she was avoiding him. Something had changed between them, and Nick didn’t like it. He wanted back the comfortable camaraderie. Which made him glad his mother had given him a mission.

  “I’m on my way,” Joe said, heading for the door.

  Nick decided turnabout was fair play. If Joe planned to dish it out, he’d best be prepared to take it. “Last time I checked the hospital, obstetrics and cardiology were nowhere near each other.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Joe asked goodnaturedly.

  That was Nick’s least favorite thing about his brother. Joe was annoyingly cheerful most of the time. Getting to him was a challenge. “You’re surprisingly eager to go to the hospital. You wouldn’t by any chance be planning to stop by the O.B. department and harass that nurse you met when Rosie had her baby?”

  Joe folded his arms over his chest and grinned. “Absolutely not.”

  Nick shook his head. “Go see what’s up with the family.”

  Joe gave him a mock salute. “I hear and obey, fearless leader. Do you want me to wait for you?”

  Nick shook his head. “I need my car. I’ll be a couple minutes behind you.”

  “Okay,” Joe said. He looked at Abby. “I like your ideas. In fact, you deserve a bonus. But I’m in charge of personnel, not number-crunching.” He winked at her and angled his head toward Nick. “Talk to Mr. Congeniality about the dough.”

  Abby figured this was a bad time to talk about a raise when Nick looked like a volcano about to erupt. In all the years she’d known him, she’d seen him happy and carefree. She’d seen him angry and upset. But she had never seen him look the way he had after she’d hugged his brother. Next to Nick, Joe Marchetti was the closest thing she had to her own big brother.

  Which was why she’d decided to approach Luke when she knew Nick was occupied. A good decision, since it was awfully difficult to keep her mind on her work when he stood there looking like a model. He was wearing charcoal pants and a crisp, long-sleeved white shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, indicating that he’d been working. The corded muscles in his forearms were dusted with dark hair and so powerful, he could as easily have been a construction worker as a business executive.

  His tie was slightly loosened, just enough so that he was comfortable, but he could quickly have it back in place if necessary. The pattern on the silk was like an Impressionist painting in blue, green, mauve and a whole lot of other colors.

  “I like your tie,” she said. After the words popped out, she wanted to smack her forehead and call them back. Way too forward. She shouldn’t notice what he was wearing. Correction—she couldn’t help but notice. But she was just this side of horrified that the comment had slipped from her lips so easily.

  Absently, he looked down at his tie. “Thanks. Madison gave me this.”

  No doubt it was expensive. And intimate. Not as much as boxer shorts with big red hearts, but definitely something Abby would never in a million years be in a position to give him. Time to steer the conversation in a different direction. Or better yet, leave so he could be with his family.

  “I’m sorry. This obviously isn’t a good time. You need to get to the hospital. I’ll go—”

  “Don’t.” He sighed as he passed her and sat on the corner of Joe’s desk. “Not yet.”

  He looked upset, and Abby had the most absurd desire to put her arms around him and comfort him. As much as she wanted to escape from him, and her budding attraction to him, she couldn’t walk out. She had the feeling he needed to talk. “You’re very fond of your grandmother, aren’t you?”

  He nodded. “We all are. But Luke is her favorite.”

  “How come? You’re the oldest,” she said. “You came first.”

  He shrugged. “Yeah. But there’s a special bond between her and Luke.”

  “I never knew my grandparents.”

  “None of them?”

  She shook her head. “They lived in another state. We never visited. Then one by one, they were all gone.”

  “That’s too bad. It’s a special relationship, and a responsibility.”

  There he was, being Mr. Wonderful again. She needed to get out because of how very much she wanted to stay, because she very much enjoyed talking to him. She looked at the watch on her wrist. Although she knew the play smacked of golly, look at the time, it was the best exit line she could come up with. “Golly, look at the time. I’ve really got to get back to work. And you have to go—”

  “Wait, Ab.”

  “We can talk work another time.”

  “No, it’s something else.” He folded his arms over his chest. “While we were at lunch the other day, Mom asked me to invite you and Sarah to Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “She did? Why?”

  “Your name came up, and Ma wondered if you’d like to join us.”

  “Why did my name come up?”

  “Let’s just say that the salmon wasn’t the only thing being grilled,” he said wryly. “So what do you say?”

  After her shock wore off, so many things rushed through Abby’s mind. First, why had he and his mother been talking about her? Thought number two was overwhelming gratitude that she and Sarah wouldn’t be alone for another holiday.

  Unfortunately, thought number three was the brain cycle where she started thinking the situation to death. Why was he asking? He could have told his mother the invitation was inappropriate. But he hadn’t. This overstepped the boss/employee boundary. Worse—she was afraid he felt sorry for her. She hated that.

  She was quiet for so long, Nick finally asked, “Do you have other plans?”

  “No,” she answered quickly, honestly. Then she could have bitten her tongue. Everything else she thought to death. Not this time. He had given her the perfect out if only she’d kept her mouth shut two seconds longer. Where was the world’s biggest roll of duct tape when she really needed it?

  He nodded with satisfaction. “Good, then I’ll tell Ma to expect two more.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  He frowned. “So I’ll tell Ma you would rather be alone than have dinner with us?”

  “Don’t you dare,” she said. “That’s not w
hat I said.”

  “That’s what I heard.”

  “Then you should have your hearing checked.” She winced when she realized what she’d said. The last time she was alone with him she’d called him names, now she was insulting him again. She took a deep breath. “I didn’t mean that. Exactly.”

  “I know. Do you want to tell me what you do mean—exactly?”

  Two could play at answering a question with a question. “What would Madison say about having us there?”

  “She doesn’t get a vote.”

  That shouldn’t have made Abby happy. But doggone it, inside she was doing the dance of joy. “How come?”

  “Madison and I are taking a break from each other. I thought I already told you.”

  “You said there was a dialogue. I didn’t know it was a done deal.” Abby was stunned. If he kept dropping bombshells, she was going to wind up in cardiology having tests, too. He’d hinted about this that day in her office, but he hadn’t come right out and said they were kaput. “Was it mutual?”

  “It was her idea.”

  “Nick, I’m sorry.” She really was. After the drubbing he’d taken from the woman he’d married, this must be like salt in the wound. “Just remember, what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. You got through it once, you’re a pro now. I know I teased you about Madison not being right for you, but I never wished for you to be hurt. The two of you will work it out.”

  “I’m fine, Abby.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, really. But my mother is fond of Madison. She’s taking it hard.”

  “Tell me this isn’t the reason my name came up at lunch,” she begged.

  “Okay, consider yourself told.”

  Abby didn’t believe him for a minute. How could she be to blame for the breakup? There was nothing between her and Nick except a work relationship. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “She’ll get over it. Look, say you’ll come to Thanksgiving. You already admitted you don’t have other plans. Ma will be hurt if you turn her down.”

  She hoped that was the truth because it would mean that Mrs. Marchetti didn’t blame her for what had happened between Madison and her son.