by CJ Andrews
“You got it.” He winked then turned toward the counter.
I’d have a few minutes to get my emotions back in check before he joined me. I needed to stay focused and not fall victim to his charm . . . again.
My shields were back in place when he arrived carrying a cafeteria tray.
“Two whole wheat veggie wraps with a spicy chipotle dressing and two bottles of water.” He slid one plate in front of me and the other to his spot. “It sounded pretty good. Figured I’d give it a try. I’m a huge fan of spicy food. My mom used to make an amazing fra diavolo sauce. They use her recipe at Lorena’s and Giardano’s, but no one makes it like she did.”
In the time it took him to relay his love of chili peppers, I’d eaten several bites of my wrap. I would have preferred to take my time and enjoy it, but . . .
Nico finally took the first bite of his lunch and hummed his approval, the sensual sound creating a huge distraction. I needed to find the way to end this friendship, or whatever we had going on.
“You know”—he grabbed a gulp of water to wash down his food—“I just realized I don’t really know anything about you. How come you never talk about your family?”
“There’s nothing to tell.” I considered the topic closed and took another huge bite of my wrap. The sooner I finished it, the sooner I could move forward in my life. Without Nico.
He watched while I chewed, furrows forming in his brow. “I think there is. You can talk to me.” He continued to stare, waiting.
“Fine.” I caved to the pressure and gave him the short version of the story about my dad’s sudden death.
“Wow . . . Danni, that’s horrible. At least you have your mom and sister to lean on.”
“So you’d think. Mom blamed me. Every. Single. Day. She even accused me of just standing there, watching him die. Can you believe it?” I swiped my hand through the air, wishing I could erase the memories that easily.
“Then she started drinking . . . a lot. There was never money for food because she’d spend it all on booze. She stopped taking care of Jen and me. She’d go out every night and eventually stopped coming home—days would go by without even a call. She finally packed up and left for good on Jen’s eighteenth birthday, and we haven’t heard from her since.”
Very few people knew that part of my life. It wasn’t a topic that popped up, and it was never worth discussing. Jen and I preferred to consider it a life lesson and keep it filed away.
“No one should have to go through all that.” He laid his hand on the table, his fingertips just shy of touching mine. “See, now I wish I hadn’t promised to keep my hands to myself.”
“Ah, but you did.” Part of me wanted to be touched, comforted, especially by Nico.
He hesitated, studying me with a pensive look on his face. His gaze fell to the table, and he pulled back his hand, giving a consolatory nod. “You’re right. Sorry.”
We sat in silence in the aftermath of my horrid story. At least I was able to finish my lunch without interruptions.
So many emotions stirred inside me. I couldn’t do what I needed to do. “I better get back.” I pulled on my jacket and gathered my bag. “Thanks for lunch.”
“Danni, wait.” He jumped from his seat to rush after me, pulling his coat on as he walked. “Why are you running off?” His hand hovered above my shoulder for a moment before he swore and shoved it in his pocket. He fell in step beside me, oblivious to the turmoil tearing me apart. “I’m sorry I didn’t react well. I-I didn’t know what to say. I want to know more, as much as you’re willing to tell me.”
“It’s not important,” I mumbled and kept walking, pushing my pace.
“So, getting back to your story. I understand now why you and Jen are so protective of each other.”
I slowed to look at him. “What do you mean?”
He laughed and rubbed his neck. “She really tore into me that night at Metro Sky after we—after you left me on the patio with her. She can be quite intimidating. I don’t think I’ve been put in my place like that since I was seventeen.”
An amused expression filled his face. “My mom came home early one day. Caught me . . . making out, rather enthusiastically, with Maria DiMarco.” Nico chuckled and shook his head. “Guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, but I let Mom believe it was the first time. I learned to be a bit more discreet after that . . . and to double-check her schedule before I brought a girl home.”
Nico grabbed my arm and quickly released it. “Sorry.” He pointed to the coffee shop on the corner. “We have some time yet.”
He walked in without waiting for a response, and I foolishly followed him. Four people were in line ahead of us.
“So what’s the deal with you and Will?” His casual question seemed to come from nowhere, but I probably should have expected it.
“We’ve been married nearly fifteen years. What more do you need to know? We’re in love. And we’re happy.” Maybe he’d get the hint to leave me alone.
“I saw the way you looked at each other Saturday night. More like the way you didn’t look at each other.” He shook his head and watched me. “Other than one limp hug, he didn’t even touch you. He doesn’t hold your hand, brush your arm, your neck, your lips. And you don’t seem to mind.”
“That’s not true.”
The woman in front of us glanced at me.
I turned my back to her and lowered my voice. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. Where’s your wife? Where’s your committed relationship?”
“I know more than you think.” He dragged a hand through his hair, giving a muffled groan. “When are you going to tell him?”
I crossed my arms, annoyed with this conversation. With him. “Tell who what? Nico.”
He took a step closer. It was hard to breathe with his face so close to mine. I licked my lips and swallowed hard.
“Your husband.” He spit the last word. “Don’t you think he deserves to know you aren’t in love with him?”
I leaned closer, trying to contain my anger. “I love my husband. And I’m committed to my marriage.”
“Even if that means lying to yourself? To him?”
I pulled back. His words stung as if he’d slapped me. My eyes burned from the tears I wouldn’t let fall. At least not in front of him.
“I’m tired of you screwing with my head.” And my heart. “We’re done.” I shook my head then forced myself to stare into his eyes. “You and I, we can’t be friends. It’s best if—no, I need you to stay away from me.”
My throat tightened as I said good-bye to him. A clean break was the right choice, but it would take some time to convince my aching heart.
“Sir . . . Sir, can I take your order?” the woman behind the counter said.
Nico reached for my arm. I took another step back, afraid of how I’d react if he touched me. When he turned to the barista, asking her to give him a minute, I slipped away.
Everything after the moment I walked away from Nico was a blur, but somehow I made it back to the office. By the time I got there, I’d received two e-mails from him. I deleted both without opening them.
My cell phone vibrated, the screen indicating a call from Kendra. My plan was to let it go to voicemail, so I didn’t know why I pressed the button to answer.
Her voice boomed through the earpiece. “What the hell is going on? I was in the middle of talking dirty to Logan, but he had hang up to take a frantic call from Nico. Said it had something to do with you?”
I opened my mouth a few times before I could force out the words. “H-he’s gone. Out of my life. I told him he couldn’t contact me anymore.” The harsh reality of what I’d done hit like a wrecking ball to my chest, crushing my heart.
“Wow. He’s apparently a mess over it too. What happened?”
I told her the whole story, surprised that she didn’t interrupt.
Kendra hesitated. “Are you sure he isn’t right?”
The ominous tone in her voice unsettled
me. “I-I don’t—no, he can’t be.”
“Look, sweetie, I’m just saying, fifteen years ago, you and Will needed each other. But that might not be the case anymore. If Will doesn’t appreciate you the way you deserve, maybe there’s someone out there who will. Someone better for you.”
“And by someone you mean Nico. Can we talk about this later? I gotta get back to work.”
“Fine, but don’t think you’re gonna to blow me off. You need to talk about this.”
I ended the call but couldn’t get Kendra’s words out of my mind. I stared blankly at my computer and another e-mail from Nico that I would delete without reading.
Joe from security pushed open the office doors. He approached my desk carrying a large vase stuffed with at least three dozen white roses. “Special delivery. The guy downstairs said I should bring these right up to you.”
I didn’t need to look at the card to know who’d sent them, but I couldn’t stop myself.
I’m sorry. Please forgive me. ~Nico
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Waiting for Love
Four days had passed since I’d forced Nico out of my life, and each day my confidence in that decision grew. In no time at all, he’d become a distant memory. At least that was what I kept telling myself. In the meantime, I simply needed to keep up my guard and continue to avoid him.
Easily done tonight, since he would be at Elevations while Will and I would be at Giardano’s. Hopefully. The light snow predicted for today had grown into a major winter storm, dumping several inches of snow and ice on the area by mid-afternoon. The worst had already passed, but the remainder of the storm was expected to linger through the evening.
I pulled on my coat and stopped by Mr. Jamison’s office on my way out. “Have a good night, and enjoy your weekend.”
“Same to you.” He looked up from his computer with a warm smile. “Your big date with Will still on?”
“Far as I know. I tried calling to see if he wanted to cancel, but I couldn’t reach him. His secretary said he’d been out of the office all afternoon for a meeting.” I gave a nonchalant tip of my head. “Knowing Will, he’ll probably be pacing inside the restaurant when I get there, complaining that I’m late.” And judging by the clock on Peter’s wall, I would definitely be late.
“Take your time getting there. I heard the roads are pretty slick. If you’d like me to call for a car—”
“I already did, but thanks. It should be here any minute. Tell Alexia I hope she feels better.”
She’d been leaving work early a lot lately, looking tired and run-down. The past two days, she hadn’t been in the office at all. No one seemed to know what was wrong, and I didn’t want to pry, but I was worried about her.
“Will do. She finally moved into her own place, so this will be my first weekend on my own in months. It’ll be nice to just relax.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice even though no one else was around to hear. “I love having Alexia here, but she’s not the easiest person in the world to live with.”
His candor made me laugh, and I had a feeling his sentiment was fairly accurate. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
The cab slid up to the curb outside of Giardano’s. I paid my fare, adding a generous tip and a heartfelt thank you. Driving in snow topped my list of things I hated most about winters in the Northeast, so I avoided it at all costs.
A quick glance at my phone showed I was ten minutes late for our reservation. I pulled open the large wooden door, breathing in the aromas of garlic and rich herbs. I stepped inside, removing my gloves as I walked, and found myself face to somber-looking face with London. Her elbows, propped on the hostess podium, supported her chin as it sank heavily into her palms.
She didn’t look up before offering her standard, albeit lifeless, greeting. “Welcome to . . . Giardano’s.” She lifted her face mid-sentence, eyes growing wide. It was easy to tell the moment she recognized me, but she managed to remain professional. “Are you meeting Nico for dinner?”
She wore a scandalous grin, probably assuming Nico’s plans had changed. No doubt she was busy plotting her next move in whatever game the two of them had going on.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m meeting my husband for dinner.” I could have told her Nico and I weren’t even friends anymore, but I kind of enjoyed letting her suffer.
“Really.” She gave a short laugh then spoke softly, almost as if talking to herself. “Well, this could be interesting.” Her smile returned and she continued in her perky hostess tone. “Does he know you’re coming?”
“Well, he made the reservation. So yeah, I’m pretty sure he knows.” I shook my head, chuckling. “It’s under Will DeLaney, and he’s probably here.” I leaned toward the arched opening to the dining room, expecting to see him already seated.
London scanned the screen in front of her, humming a cheery tune. “Nope, not here. He’s probably delayed because of the weather. Lots of people are.”
A shiver ran through me as the entrance door swung open. I turned, eager to greet Will, and smiled at the young couple laughing and shaking the snow from their hair.
“Mrs. DeLaney,” London called, emphasizing the first part, “I’d be happy to show you to the bar if you’d like. You can relax and have a drink while you wait for your husband.”
I glanced toward the door again, wondering if it would be a waste of time. “Um, sure. That sounds fine.”
She greeted the other couple and excused herself for a minute. London led me through the sparsely filled dining room, following the same path Nico had taken when we had our lunch non-date. She stopped at the small bar I’d noticed from our table that day.
“Here you go. Best seat in the house.” London pulled out the stool at the end of the bar and tapped the seat, wearing the same scandalous grin as before. She leaned close and lowered her voice. “I’m sure Nico wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I leaned past her to brave a glance at that table, taking comfort in knowing it wouldn’t be occupied by him. My sharp gasp cut like a knife in my throat, and I finally understood London’s odd behavior.
As if I’d called to him, Nico lifted his gaze from the dark-haired woman seated across from him and looked directly at me.
I clutched my chest, wrapping my hand around the gold heart that dangled between my breasts—a silent reminder to my own heart of the choice I’d made.
“Hey, Drew,” London called to the man behind the bar.
The sandy-haired bartender disengaged from what appeared to be an intense conversation with two beautiful young blondes. He gave London an annoyed stare.
“Mrs. DeLaney is going to wait here until her husband arrives. Maybe you can pull yourself away from your little lovefest long enough to get her a drink?” London turned to me with a contemptuous glare. “I’m sure you could use one.” She walked away, laughing quietly.
“Be right with ya.” Drew held up one finger to me while one of the girls wrote something on the palm of his other hand.
I climbed up on the tall bar stool, annoyed at myself for angling it so I could see Nico with just a slight tip of my head. A dreamy sigh escaped me. Who was I kidding? With scenery like that, I’d be a fool to even think about turning away.
His date sat with her back to me, sleek black hair dancing along her shoulders with each movement. Her animated gestures and constant touching of Nico’s arm couldn’t keep his attention. He seemed to be more focused on me, but I looked away every time our eyes met. The woman occasionally glanced over her shoulder in my direction, usually after waving a hand in front of Nico’s distracted stare. Then she’d laugh and give him a playful nudge.
“What can I get ya?” Drew rested his forearms on the bar top.
“I’ll have a strawberry marg—you know what, let me change that.” I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to remember. “I had a really good red wine the last time I was here—kinda sweet and had a little bit of a nutty taste, but I can’t remember what it was called. Somethin
g like Modera or Madery.”
“You mean Madeira Reserva?”
“Yeah, that’s it.” I wasn’t too far off. “Can I get a glass of that?”
“Coming right up.” He hesitated before stepping away. “You realize that’s a little pricey, right? About fifty bucks a glass?”
I hadn’t considered that, although I probably should have. Nico seemed to have expensive taste. The difference in our social classes was one of the first things I’d noticed when he introduced himself at Logan’s party . . . right after how incredibly sexy and charming he was, of course.
I guess it had slipped my mind since he never flaunted his wealth or acted superior. In fact, he always treated me as if I were special. This was a perfect example of that. He could have made a big deal about the cost of the wine at lunch last week, but he’d never even mentioned it.
Drew stood watching me, waiting for my approval.
I glanced at Nico, wondering how many other little things I’d overlooked, taken for granted. The throbbing in my fingertip drew my attention to the gold chain wrapped tightly around it. Will’s heart. I closed my eyes. None of this stuff about Nico should even matter to me. Why couldn’t I stop myself from obsessing over him?
Tonight was a special occasion. The celebration of getting my marriage back on track. True, it still lacked passion, but Will and I could work to find that.
Opening my eyes to look at Drew, I nodded and went ahead with my order. “I’m going to run to the restroom while you get it, so take your time.” I wanted to make sure I looked my best before Will arrived.
The ladies’ room was located near the far end of the bar, which meant I was able get there without passing by Nico and his date. I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, scowling at my reflection, confused by the rush of irrational animosity that tore through me every time I thought about that woman touching him. I lifted my hair to massage the back of my neck, trying to ease the tension building there.