Say Yes

by Celia Juliano

  “I’m sorry.” Lorenzo. She thought he wasn’t an apologizer and now she wished he had nothing to apologize for.

  “I thought you’d changed,” Carlo said, his voice still raised. “You’re supposed to be getting married in two months!”

  “Dad,” Janetta said. “It wasn’t his fault. She was some ex of his, she was drunk.”

  “Come on!” Carlo said. “Talk to Lita, huh? I hate to see her like this.”

  “Hey,” Janetta said when she walked in. She hesitated and moved slowly, like she was afraid of spooking Lita.

  “Well?” Sophia said.

  Lita sat up a bit and took Sophia’s hand.

  “Probably you didn’t notice, Lita, but that woman had been scoping Lorenzo all night. When you went to the bathroom, she came over and asked to talk to him. I followed and saw her push him against the wall and…I guess you saw it from there. He told me he didn’t want to get rough with her to shove her off. Though why he was such a dumbass as to leave our table with her in the first place--”

  “Janetta!” Sophia said as Lita choked on another sob. “Thanks for that. Why don’t you send Lorenzo and your father in now.”

  Lita spoke through her sobs. “Thanks…Janetta. For…watching out…for me…for us.”

  Janetta nodded and rushed out. When Lita looked up again, Lorenzo stood in front of the coffee table, almost where Janetta had, but he was unmoving where Janetta had shifted uncomfortably.

  “You promised you wouldn’t see her anymore.” She gripped Sophia’s hand.

  “I did?”

  “It was implied. Remember, after I saw you with her in December? So you’ve been seeing her?” Sophia squeezed her hand.

  “No, not how you mean.”

  “Now you can read my mind?”

  “She consults me sometimes, strictly business.”

  “Like the business meeting you had in December? It didn’t look like a business meeting, unless it was personal business.”

  Carlo sat next to her and took her other hand. Support.

  “Where’s Janetta?” Sophia asked.

  “Went out for a drive,” Carlo said.

  “Okay, you two,” Sophia said. “This arguing won’t accomplish anything. I thought you’d learned something from those classes at church. But maybe…” The worry lines around Sophia’s mouth crinkled. Lita’d tried to be open to help, but it’d been difficult when Lorenzo had to be dragged there every time and then he’d sat in silence, not participating.

  Carlo faced Lita, his mouth set in a line, his eyes tender but determined. “You shouldn’t marry him, Lita.”

  Lita stared at Lorenzo. He stood, rigid.

  “Carlo,” Sophia said. “We made a promise to support them.”

  “Do you really think the church would approve of his behavior? I don’t. Who knows what else he’s been doing.”

  “You’d know,” Lorenzo said. “You watch me closely enough.”

  “Someone has to.”

  Sophia sighed. “Lita, do you want to talk to Lorenzo now, or tomorrow?”

  Lorenzo’s eyes shone briefly, pleading, asking.

  “Now,” she said.

  “Carlo and I will be in the kitchen if you need us, okay?”

  Lita nodded. The two rose. She hugged herself, cold and alone.

  “Why?” she asked.

  He shrugged as if that explained it all.

  “Can you say you don’t flirt with other guys?”

  “No, not that it should matter. You know I don’t even notice other guys.”

  “Don’t you?” He rubbed his palm and studied his shoes.

  “Maybe you’re too busy checking out other women to notice.”

  “Do you believe Carlo? Because he’s wrong. I’ve been faithful to you. It’s been four months.”

  “What, you want a trophy or something?”

  “Something would be good.”

  “I’ve given you more than I should have.”

  “Says who?”

  Lita hugged her knees. “No one,” she whispered. On the coffee table, the cold mug of cocoa sat on the coaster, a thin skin on top.

  Lorenzo sat next to her. She leaned onto his shoulder.

  “Hold me?” she said into his chest.

  He put his arms around her and she sank into him. She breathed him in, his scent a vapor of forgetfulness, his strong, warm embrace a new world, a place only she and Lorenzo existed. He stroked her hair; she snuggled into him and curled her legs onto the couch. He edged back. She needed him. She held on. She believed. She believed enough for everyone. Her dream had to come true. She wouldn’t let go now.

  15

  Lorenzo paced the foyer at Uncle Enzo’s, waiting for Lee to arrive. He knew someone might have told Lee what happened last night and his stomach clenched at the thought of what Lee would do. Maybe he didn’t know. Lita wouldn’t tell her brother and Lee wasn’t very close to anyone else in the family. He knew Lee. To him, being unfaithful to a woman was unacceptable and his definition of cheating was much broader than Lorenzo’s. And when the woman in question was Lita…Lorenzo stopped at a knock on the front door.

  As they greeted each other, Lorenzo sensed something was off with Lee but he knew his friend would tell him if he wanted to talk. They walked upstairs, so Lee could look at the plans for the remodel of the master bedroom and bath.

  “Seems fine,” Lee said as they stood in the empty master bedroom. It still smelled freshly vacuumed. Lita had cleaned the upstairs with methodical thoroughness the last few days, even though he told her the workmen would make a mess of it. “You’re not making that many changes. It shouldn’t be a problem to get the work done in the next month.”

  “No doubt Vincente wouldn’t recommend anyone who couldn’t come through. You think Lita will be happy with it all?”

  “Didn’t you talk to her about it?”

  “Yeah, of course. She picked out the paint colors and most of the furniture, told me what was important to her in the bathroom fixtures. The walk-in closet’s going to be a surprise. But you know she’s not much for looking at the plans. I thought you’d have a better eye for seeing how it will turn out, if I’ve missed anything.”

  “I’m sure she’ll love it all. That bathroom is twice the size of the one at Jane’s. Did you ever see her tiny closet there?”

  “I noticed. She had half her clothes in your old room.” He hoped Lee wouldn’t ask when he’d seen it. Lee still didn’t know about the incident with Rich. “Now she can have everything in one spot, all organized the way she wants.”

  “There’ll be no stopping her now. Jane tried to make her get rid of stuff, but Lita loves her clothes, shoes, and all that.”

  “I don’t mind. You should’ve seen Carlo and Janetta’s faces when I brought Lita’s things over there Friday night.”

  Lee frowned. “You think Janetta doesn’t like Lita? Everyone in your family seems to love her like she loves them.”

  “Maybe not Janice, I’m not sure about Janetta. Lita’ll win them over.”

  Lee tried to smile, but he couldn’t quite manage it.

  “Are you still concerned about Lita marrying me? I’ve done everything you asked.”

  “Have you?”

  “What do you mean?” As if Lita’s rules weren’t enough, he had to jump all Lee’s hurdles too. “I got Lita to sign the prenup you had Janice draw up and it wasn’t easy. I’ve taken the tests, signed all the papers.”

  “I know.” Lee wouldn’t look at him. “I spoke to Janetta this morning.”

  “She didn’t mention it. I was over there for brunch,” Lorenzo said.

  Lee’s eyes darted, like they did when he lied.

  “It must’ve been after you left. Never mind. Did she say anything about me?”

  “No. Why don’t you ask her out?”

  “I don’t think she wants to get into a relationship and we can’t just…I mean, I care about your family and I don’t want to get everyone angry by sneaking around.”
>
  “Who said anything about sneaking? What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. I could tell she wasn’t interested and I was an idiot to let her see I how I felt. Now we’re going to be working together…I guess I know why you avoided Lita all that time.”

  “That bad, huh? Janetta likes you. Maybe if you play it cool…”

  “I will, I’ll be professional, no worries. Someday I’ll laugh about it, no doubt. Just another of the universe’s jokes to put me in my place.”

  “I wish I could tell you it will go away, but my feelings for Lita didn’t. You know I tried for two years…”

  “Okay, okay, are you trying to push me over the edge? Janetta’s already doing that, the way she flirted with Vincente at the wedding.”

  “He’s not her type. And she’s not his, for sure.” Lita was Vincente’s type. Lorenzo frowned.

  “You don’t know that,” Lee said. “I saw the way he looked at her.”

  “I think you’re wrong. You probably feel like every guy wants Janetta. That’s how it goes.”

  “I’m not the jealous type, like you.”

  “Maybe not, but love changes everything.”

  “I never said anything about love.”

  “You tell yourself you’re not in love, if it makes you feel better. Want to join me for dinner at Sophia’s?”

  “No, thanks. Keep your sadism in check, huh?”

  “Hey, I don’t play that way. I’ll have you know Lita said I’m her angel.” Lorenzo strode out into the hall.

  “You two are sickening. Her fallen angel, more like.”

  “That’s what I said.”

  “Great minds think alike,” Lee said as they went downstairs, laughing.

  As he watched Lee drive away, Lorenzo took a deep breath. Everything was still together.

  ***

  Dinner was a small gathering. Lorenzo watched Lita laughing and talking with Sophia and Joanna, though he noticed Pete took a lot of the latter’s attention too. It seemed Janetta was in a similar mood to him, since she too pushed her food around her plate and smiled her fake smile when Gianni teased her, or Pete told her one of his goofy jokes.

  When Lita walked in carrying a dessert tray, wearing the red dress he’d given her for Christmas, he studied her, remembering Christmas night. She’d finally given him something he wanted. He made the mistake of closing his eyes and flashing on the fantastic sight of her nearly naked body, her full, round breasts, perfect mocha nipples which he…He opened his eyes. Carlo looked at him and Lorenzo was relieved they sat around the table with wide linen napkins on their laps.

  Soon it didn’t matter, as he thought about how he’d still been unsatisfied. With Lita something wasn’t enough, he wanted everything. She offered herself too, in the excitement of the moment, but at first he had willpower enough to do what she’d made him promise and refuse. He still couldn’t believe he’d slept half the night with her bare softness pressed against him and not persuaded her.

  They’d argued the next morning and he’d left, only to make a scene later at Carlo and Sophia’s when he hadn’t found Lita at home. No wonder Carlo started eyeing him suspiciously after that, though he now had even more reason. Lorenzo tasted a forkful of Lita’s mocha buttercream frosted cake. It was delicious, moist and flavorful, but it wasn’t the dessert he wanted.

  “Lorenzo, Gianni, you’re on dish duty with me,” Carlo said.

  Lorenzo and Gianni followed him into the kitchen while Pete and Janetta cleared the table and the others went into the living room. Lita’s twinkly laughter chased him. How could she feel so happy?

  “Lita said she’ll be busy baking next weekend,” Gianni said as he washed and Lorenzo dried. He handed Carlo a clean plate. “Want to go out?”

  Carlo shot Lorenzo a look, his infamous stare. “No, thanks,” Lorenzo said, though he probably would’ve accepted if Carlo wasn’t in the room.

  Gianni shrugged. “Maybe you can go on a double date with Pete and Joanna. I think he’s going to ask her out. Gone over the edge since Kerry broke up with him.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Carlo asked in a tight voice.

  “I mean he could do better. Joanna’s got too much junk in her trunk,” Gianni said before he smiled a crooked grin.

  Carlo smacked the back of Gianni’s head. “Joanna is a pretty, smart, caring young woman. Sometimes I wonder how you’re such a pig when Pete--”

  Lorenzo laughed.

  Gianni turned and shoved Lorenzo. “Stop laughing, I know you agree with me.”

  “Like hell I do.”

  “Easy to say now you’ve got Miss Tasty Treat and no sharing the sugar like before--”

  Lorenzo’s body went heavy and hot. Carlo pinned his arms and snapped at his nephew. “Get out, Gianni. Say goodbye to everyone and leave.”

  “I can’t. Rode over with Pete.”

  “If you ever touch Lita, I’ll kill you,” Lorenzo said. He shoved against Carlo, but the man hadn’t been a champion high school wrestler for no reason. That may have been over thirty years ago, but he was probably stronger now.

  “Take a walk,” Carlo said, still holding him. Lorenzo exhaled when Gianni went out the side door. “He’s trying to bait you, Lorenzo. Why don’t you take a walk too?”

  “No, I just need a minute.”

  “You need more than that.”

  “I need Janetta to take the job so I can go on my honeymoon.”

  “A honeymoon ends, then what? Get it together and don’t go out with Gianni. He wants you to screw up. I’ve been watching the way he looks at Lita.”

  “She doesn’t notice.”

  “You’re not hearing me.”

  “I heard.”

  Carlo patted his back and walked out. Lorenzo gripped the counter and cracked his neck. He folded the dishtowel and rinsed out the bitter remnants of the coffee pot. Lita walked in.

  “Are you okay? Where’s Gianni?”

  “Went for a walk.”

  “Janetta says she’ll be carpooling with you this week?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Will you be here for dinners?” Lita asked with a hint of a whine.

  His shoulders hunched. She never used to talk like that.

  “Don’t count on me.”

  “I’m starting to realize that,” she said before she stormed out.

  If only he could get her alone, completely alone, he could show her how good they were together. Maybe he shouldn’t have encouraged her to stay here. They could’ve been alone at Uncle Enzo’s. But he knew Lita didn’t want to stay there by herself just as he knew he was wrong for wanting to persuade her out of her convictions. Still, it felt as wrong that they weren’t ever alone, except in the car when they went out, and they’d stopped doing anything but kissing. Carlo watched him even more closely than Uncle Enzo did and Lita wouldn’t come back to his apartment with him anymore.

  Lorenzo exhaled. Two more months, he only needed to make it two more months. He realized now he should have been happy with what Lita gave him before because it was a lot more satisfying than a few kisses. He didn’t know if he could last two more months without a woman’s touch.

  Two nights later, two more frustrating nights, he sat at the bar in Nick’s with Nick and Vincente. Silvo and Mark cleaned up, no one else was around.

  “You’re a lucky man,” Vincente said to Lorenzo. “Dating…I could do without it.”

  “Agreed,” Nick said. “Still, one can’t do without…”

  Vincente chuckled, Lorenzo frowned. “You’d be surprised.”

  “Having a wife is different, you’ll find out,” Vincente said. “I mean you’re fortunate to have found a woman like Lita, I’m sure you know. I’m about ready to give up.”

  Lorenzo glanced at him. Maybe he wants to give up because…he shook his head.

  “Don’t. You’ll find love again,” Nick said as he rose, went behind the bar, and took their glasses.

  “You didn’t,” Lorenzo said. He breathed in th
e almost stale odors of the dinners which had been cooked and served over the last several hours, now overpowered by the bleachy freshness of the nightly cleaning.

  “I like what Celeste says: ‘Miracles happen every day.’ Though sometimes they need help, I know some nice young women…”

  “No thanks,” Vincente said with a shake of his head. “My grandpop and brother have tried and I’d rather have faith. Thanks for that. It’ll be a good line to use on Grandpop next time he’s complaining about his lack of great-grandchildren. I can wait.”

  “Waiting sucks,” Lorenzo said. His word choice only reminded him some sucking would be great. He leaned his arms on the bar and exhaled.

  “Only after many months of anticipation do we taste the sweetest, juiciest peach,” Nick said. “And savor it all the more.”

  Lorenzo ran his hands through his hair. Or you can buy a peach at the market anytime, he thought. He didn’t say it because he knew not only Nick’s zeal for seasonal produce, but also that he was right. There was no peach like one plucked from the tree, held, still downy and warm from the sun, and eaten on the spot.

  “Maybe you’re right to have faith,” Lorenzo said as he and Vincente stood. “If Lita can love me, anything’s possible.” You are so full of it, he thought. He didn’t believe.

  “See you Thursday,” Vincente said before he shook hands with Nick, who now stood next to Lorenzo. Lorenzo raised his hand and walked toward the stairs.

  “Lorenzo, I hope you believe that,” Nick said.

  Lorenzo shrugged and went upstairs.

  ***

  He thought Janetta had been unusually tense the last couple days, especially around Lee, who did a good job playing it cool. Lorenzo was surprised when she insisted on taking Lee out to lunch, alone, the next day. Lorenzo ambled down the hall and toward the door of the office. Someone opened the door. He stopped. Lita walked in and smiled, she held a paper grocery bag.

  “I brought you some lunch.”

  “Thanks,” he said, though he wondered if she’d leave when she found out Janetta and Lee were gone. “Looks like you brought enough for everyone,” he finished as he took the bag.