by Ella Jade
“Seriously? You’re defending a man who doesn’t want to know his child?”
“No, of course not. I’m just saying that people do what they think is right at the time.” He shook his head. “I don’t know the circumstances and this really isn’t any of my business.”
“No, it isn’t.” She glanced at her phone, realizing she needed to get back to work. “I shouldn’t have said anything at all to you. I probably shouldn’t have even agreed to have lunch with you.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“You’re really polite.”
“No, I wouldn’t go that far.” He motioned for the check. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”
“I’m sorry I ruined your lunch.”
“You didn’t.”
Right...
Chapter Three
Pregnant? Of all the women he could have taken to lunch, Gavin managed to find one who was having a baby. It didn’t bother him that she was pregnant but knowing her circumstances made him a bit uneasy. Given his past, he really had no business getting involved with Justine. He probably shouldn’t have offered his opinion on her ex either. He had no idea what their circumstances were but they weren’t anything like his. Was this some kind of weird fate? Some kind of upside down world? The universe wasn’t that amusing. Was it?
When he came back from lunch, he found Brody waiting in his office. He wondered if his brother had heard about his altercation with Ms. Flint. He probably should have addressed that before he left for lunch. Maybe he should have skipped lunch.
“There you are,” Brody said. “I was surprised you left the building.”
“I needed a break today.” He hung his jacket in the closet before making his way over to his desk.
“Did it help?”
“Help what?”
“You’ve been restless.” Brody gazed out the window. “I’m checking to make sure you’re not overwhelmed.”
“I’m fine, big brother.” He grinned. “You don’t have to hover.”
“I’m not.” He took a seat. “I think I’m just feeling guilty about asking you to come to Jason’s party.”
“If you didn’t invite me I’d be pissed. This is our reality and we have to learn to coexist in it.” No matter how awkward the whole thing was.
“If you don’t want to come I understand.” He closed his tablet. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“I thought about it and I’d like to be there.” Having lunch with Justine today made him see things a little differently when it came to Jason. Gavin promised to be his uncle and now that he was back in New York he couldn’t avoid his family.
“I’m happy to hear that,” Brody said. “I just wanted to say you should go at your own pace when it comes to Jason.”
“Thank you.” Gavin had been keeping his distance, trying not to upset Claudia. She was still uneasy around him. Not that he blamed her but he could probably do a better job when it came to the two of them. “I was going to come to your office once I got settled. I had a situation this morning that I thought you should know about.”
“Jackie?”
“She told you?” No wonder Brody was waiting in his office.
“She came to me to explain. She worried that she overstepped with you. I was surprised you had spoken to her at all since you don’t really deal with the staff.”
“I’d rather not.” He wanted to handle contracts and clients not deal with employees. Brody had a finesse that Gavin just didn’t possess. “I wouldn’t have said anything but I didn’t like the way she spoke to someone who I assumed worked under her.”
“Justine Carlucci.”
“You don’t miss much.”
“Why was she in your office?”
“I ran into her last night at the grocery store. I didn’t know she worked for us.” He sat behind his desk. “She forgot her wallet and realized it when she was at the register. I paid for her stuff. It wasn’t a big deal but she insisted on paying me back this morning. She came up before her shift to give me the money.”
“That’s it?” Brody asked.
If only.
“Her father worked for Dad years ago,” Brody offered. “He was the custodian in the old building. Do you remember that place?”
“Vaguely.” Gavin tried to remember but it was so long ago. “Dad moved to this one when I was five or six so I don’t have too many memories of the old place.”
“There were these really long halls with archways. I used to chase you around and go in the opposite direction and cut you off. You thought it was the funniest thing.”
That was when they were close. Brody always looked out for him. Somehow they managed to become rivals. Perhaps that was their father’s fault. Gavin assumed he had pitted them against one another and then left everything to Brody when he died.
“When we liked one another?” Gavin smirked.
“I never stopped liking you.”
“I find that hard to believe.” He laughed but the situation wasn’t funny. “You sent me to Boston.”
“The first time,” Brody reminded him. “You went on your own the second time. I thought we were past this.”
“We are.” He didn’t know why he said anything. Maybe Justine had unsettled him. She represented a past he no longer wanted to revisit. “You hired Justine as a favor?”
“When she interviewed for the job I recognized her last name. I popped in during her meeting with H.R. and asked if she was related to Anthony. I remembered Dad was fond of him.”
Gavin was sometimes envious that Brody had so many memories of their father. It wasn’t his brother’s fault. Their dad was older when Gavin was born and so invested in the business that he didn’t have much time left over for him.
“Jackie was hard on her so I intervened. Justine didn’t do anything wrong so I hope there will be no repercussions.”
“There won’t be. I told Jackie I was certain you had a good reason for what you said. She didn’t go into detail. She was doing damage control so I didn’t question her later. She has a sharp business mind.” Brody stood. “I have a call in ten minutes.”
“The Stevens account?”
“You want to sit in?”
“Sure.” Gavin nodded. “I’d like to hear his thoughts.”
“We’ll take it in my office.” He headed for the door. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
“Brody,” Gavin called. “I had lunch with Justine today.” He wasn’t sure why he admitted that. Maybe he needed to say it out loud to figure out what to do with the information she had shared with him.
“Was it productive?”
“Yeah, I guess it was.”
“Good.” Brody smiled. “You deserve a social life.”
Maybe it was time to start forgiving himself for his past indiscretions. But was Justine the woman he should be considering doing that with? Probably not...
***
Sunday afternoon Gavin couldn’t seem to relax. Justine had been on his mind since their Friday lunch. As hard as he tried to remove her from his thoughts he couldn’t seem to get her out of his head. They had just met so why had she trusted him enough to tell him about her current situation? He kept thinking there was a reason. He wanted to dismiss it as coincidence. But there he was, walking up steps that led to a porch in a small Italian section of the city. He’d asked Dominick where he had dropped her off the other night. He wasn’t sure why he was there but he couldn’t talk himself out of going to see her.
As he made his way to the door, the aroma of sauce filled the air. It wasn’t just coming from Justine’s house. It seemed to be flowing from all the homes on the block. There was even a small corner bakery that contributed to the smell with fresh baked bread. He’d have to pick up some rolls on his way home. He could stop at the deli on his way back and get some cold cuts for dinner. He smiled when he thought how appalled his mother would be if she knew he planned to eat a sandwich for Sunday dinner. She invited him for dinner every week but every we
ek was a bit much when it came to his mother. She always had guests at the main house. She thought she was slick but he knew she was always trying to set him up with some doctor’s daughter or a friend that she sat on a board with. He’d be seeing her at Jason’s party next week so that would be enough.
He gently tapped on the solid, oak door adorned with a Christmas wreath. He’d thought about what he’d say when she answered but now his rehearsed speech sounded awkward. He didn’t do awkward.
She opened the door and greeted him with the biggest smile. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun. Even without any makeup she looked fresh and flawless. Her full lips had a natural tint of pink and her cheeks were flush. Her gray t-shirt dipped low in the front, revealing a hint of sexy cleavage and the tight, black yoga pants displayed her long, flattering legs.
“Hey.” She stepped onto the small porch. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“You probably wouldn’t believe I was in the neighborhood, huh?”
“This isn’t exactly Manhattan, so no.”
“I hope you don’t mind but I got your address from Dominick.”
“I don’t mind at all.” She glanced down at the bouquet of pink and lavender roses he held. “Those are beautiful.”
“They’re for you.” He handed them to her. “I wanted to bring them in person.”
“Thank you, but how come?”
“No reason.” The more he stared at her, the more he realized how attracted he was to her. “I just thought you’d like them.”
“I do.” She buried her nose in them. “I’ve never received flowers before.”
“Really?” What kind of guys had she been associating with?
“I was just stirring my sauce and I was hoping that this week would be much better than last week because last week wasn’t so good and then you knocked on the door. The week is already looking up.” She gazed down at the roses. “Much better.”
“I’m glad I could make you smile.”
“I’m surprised you’re here.”
“How come?”
“Well, I ruined your lunch on Friday.”
“You didn’t.” He’d been feeling a bit guilty about the way he reacted when she told him about her ex.
“You’d be too polite to tell me if I had.”
“I didn’t come to intrude but I just wanted to say hello.”
“You’re not intruding. I was–”
“Justina,” a man came to the door. “What are you doing outside?”
“Talking to a friend.” Her smile had him wondering when he had just been friends with a woman?
“This isn’t the friend who knocked you up, is it?” The older man wearing a Giants’ Jersey stared Gavin down. “You don’t look like him.”
Her old man was blunt. Gavin admired that quality.
“Dad!” She shook her head, her cheeks darkening a deep shade of red. “This is Gavin Callahan.”
“The Callahan like where you work?”
“Yes, Sir.” Gavin extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Why are you standing out on the porch?” He widened the door. “Come inside. The game’s about to start. I’ll grab you a beer. Justina is making lasagna.”
“I don’t want to intrude.” Gavin hadn’t meant to get invited to dinner.
“You’re not,” her father said. “I’ll get you a beer.” He hurried through the vestibule and into the kitchen. “Gavin Callahan in my house.” His voice trailed off.
“I’m sorry,” Justine said. “He likes to drink during the game. He also likes company. If you want to stay for dinner we’d be happy to have you.”
“Are you sure?” He followed her into the house. “It smells really good in here.”
“We have plenty.” She stopped just before she got inside the kitchen. “I hope you’re not rooting for the opposing team.”
“If I were I wouldn’t say it.”
“Because you’re a smart man.” Anthony Carlucci reappeared with two cold bottles of beer. “Just like your father. I knew him well.”
“My brother told me you used to work for our dad.”
“He was such a good man.” He was lost in thought for a moment. “I went to his memorial service. I wanted to pay my respects.”
“That was very kind of you.” Gavin recalled how many people showed up to his father’s service. The line of people offering their condolences wrapped around the building and took hours to dwindle down. Jason Callahan had made many friends throughout his life.
“Gavin is going to join us for dinner.” Justine motioned toward the kitchen. “I’ll set the table.”
“Can I help?” Gavin asked.
“I’ll be in the living room,” her dad said. “Don’t miss kick off.”
Justine laughed as her dad made his way to the television. “You better go join him. He loves watching the game with a guy.”
“As opposed to you?”
“I’m not really into football.” She leaned against the wall. “I usually bring a book and listen while he yells at the TV. He likes the company.”
“You’re a good daughter.” He inched closer to her. “How are you feeling today?” He glanced at her stomach and then back into her stunning, dark eyes.
“It’s sweet of you to ask.” When she rested her hand on her stomach, it intrigued him. “So far so good.”
“Have you been to a doctor?”
“I wanted a professional to confirm what I suspected. I’m due in June.”
“One of the reasons I came here today was to apologize for sounding as if I was defending your ex the other day. I don’t know your circumstances. I shouldn’t have said anything. I apologize if I overstepped or made you feel bad.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I shouldn’t have said it wasn’t any of your business when I told you about my situation. I’ve been a little stressed.”
“I understand.” He went to stroke her cheek, but pulled back, realizing how inappropriate he would appear.
“You said one of the reasons you came.” She gazed down at his hand and he wondered if she wanted him to touch her. “What was the other?”
“I wanted to see you.”
“Why?” she whispered.
“Why do you seem so surprised?”
“I wouldn’t have expected you to want to see me after our lunch. I’m curious.”
“Because I can’t stop thinking about you.” He ignored that nagging voice that scolded him for pursuing her and went with instinct. He trailed the back of his fingers along the side of her exposed neck. “I like your hair up.”
“Thank you.”
“Gavin,” her dad bellowed from the other room. “The game has started.”
“I’m going to put these in water.” She pressed the flowers to her nose again. “They’re so beautiful.”
“Just like you.” He winked before joining her father in the living room.
What am I doing? He always went after everything he had no business coveting. Was Justine just another challenge? A forbidden fruit he had no right to explore?
Chapter Four
As Justine finished washing the dishes, Gavin helped her dry them. After dinner, her father went back to his favorite chair and took a nap. Football, pasta, and beer made him sleepy.
“You didn’t have to help me with the dishes.” She took the last plate from him and placed it in the cabinet.
“It was the least I could do after you shared such a delicious meal with me.” His teeth were so white, his smile sparkled. She’d never seen such a meticulous man before. He’d always looked so sharp in his designer suits but today he was more casual. He wore a faded pair of jeans that fit him better than they should have and a black, button down shirt.
“I have a feeling you’ve never done this type of labor before.”
“Why? Am I doing it wrong?”
“No, you’re doing great but I’m guessing the Callahans don’t do dishes.”
“We
don’t.” His crooked smile made her insides jolt. She’d seen attractive men before but there was something about this man that had her off balance and feeling quite giddy. “I have a housekeeper. She’s older than my mother and makes it her mission to tend to me. She’s been with my family for years.”
“Does she live with you?”
“No.” He laughed. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“She’d cramp your style with the women?” She imagined he probably had plenty of women in and out of his bed. She had nothing to base that on, but a rich, single hottie like him running around the city had to attract plenty of women. Who wouldn’t go home with him?
“Not really.” He dried his hands on the towel and draped it over the sink. “Since moving back to New York I haven’t made time for a social life. I just meant that having someone else in the house with me would be awkward. I’m not really sure why. I grew up with employees in the house all the time. My childhood home was much larger than my place now so maybe that’s why I wouldn’t want a live-in.”
“Rich people problems.” She giggled. “If only.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I like hearing about the life of the rich and powerful. It’s all very intriguing.”
“I was thinking the same thing about this quaint, little life you have here. I don’t really see myself the way you describe. I’ve always lived this life.” He shrugged. “I never realized how overwhelming it all was until a couple of years ago. Having so much can become a burden. It makes you act in ways that normal people never would.”
“What happened a couple years ago?” She sat down at the kitchen table.
“I just had some growing up to do.” He took a seat next to her. “Growing up with all that money gave me a sense of entitlement. I wanted everything handed to me and I acted like a jerk, and now I’m trying to prove I can be a better person.”
“Who are you proving it to?”
“My family, mostly my brother and...” He trailed off. “I guess, myself. I’m not really sure. I’m still trying to figure it all out.”