by Kathryn Shay
Before she started the engine, she said, “Let’s not spar.”
“Fine by me.”
“So, what’s the how come of these camps?”
He frowned at the question. “Isn’t it enough to want to help the people who don’t have the resources I do?”
“Sure it is.” She backed out of the parking space and soon they got on the road. “Nice day out.”
They were reduced to talking about the weather. Shit. “I was dirt poor. A coach in high school taught me baseball, and I got to the Show. But I could’ve used a role model or a hand up during those awful early school years.”
“Thanks for telling me that. And I’m sorry you had it tough.”
“What about you?”
“I’ve lived a charmed life. Lots of love and money.”
“Good. I’m not one of those people who wish pain on others because I had some bad times.”
They made inane conversation until they arrived at the airport departure area. Mike checked his watch. “Pull ahead of the doors some. I got a few minutes and want to—just park by the curb.”
She did as he asked, buzzed down the windows and shut off the motor. Then she turned to him. A light breeze teased strands of her hair out of its tie and tendrils fell onto her cheeks. She waited.
Slowly reaching out his hand, he released the ponytail. Scads of thick, heavy locks fell far onto her chest past her breasts. He didn’t draw back. Instead, he grasped a few strands between his fingers. “Why do you wear this up?”
“Long hair gets in the way at work. And it’s hot on days like this.”
He grinned. “So are you.”
“I’m what?”
“Hot. You don’t flaunt it, maybe you even cover it up, but you’re hot, Nurse Gentileschi.”
Her face colored and her lips parted. She stared at him with wide eyes. Only Hercules could ignore the temptation, and he was no Greek hero. Leaning over, he brushed his lips over hers, once, twice, three times. His whole body reacted to the light touch, and his hand pressed onto her back. She fell into the kiss. Cupped his neck. Increased the pressure of their lips. Their tongues mated. Their torsos met. They...
A rap on the hood. “Move along, love birds. This is no place to make out in the car.”
He drew away, smiled at her and opened the door.
Unbeknownst to him, that kiss would stay with him for a long, long time.
* * *
Evvie walked into Lucy’s, a public place because she didn’t know Brock Young yet. He sat at the bar and turned when she said, “Hi."
She’d forgotten how handsome he was. His blue eyes were accented by the slate-blue shirt he wore under a navy sports coat. “Hello.” He gave her a friendly once-over. “You’re absolutely lovely.”
You’re hot, Nurse Gentileschi.
“Thank you.” She’d worn a summer paisley dress and sandals.
He slid off the stool. “I’ll see about the table.”
When they settled in a quiet spot in the back, a waiter approached them and asked if they’d like drinks.
“Are you having one?”
“Yep, no flying tomorrow.”
“Great.” To the waiter she said, “I’ll have your driest Chardonnay.”
“Same here.”
Do you drink beer?
Of course.
Hell, she was thinking about Mike again. She’d replayed the kiss in the car a hundred times today. She could still feel the pressure of his lips that held the promise of more to come. Damn, this had to stop. She concentrated on Brock. “So, tell me about being a pilot. Is it a way of life?”
Honey, baseball is a way of life.
“No, it’s a job. An important one, like yours, but I try to keep that part of my life in perspective.”
“Good for you.”
“You?”
“My job’s hard to leave behind. Sometimes I obsess at home about the sick kids. But I have coping mechanisms.”
“What are they?”
“My go-to is my sister. She lives on the same street. I talk to her, she sympathizes, then we put on a stupid movie and eat ice cream.”
“Hobbies to distract you?”
“I’m a baseball fan.”
You’re a man’s dream date. You know the players and even the pitches.
After more chitchat, they picked up menus. She ordered the salmon, grilled vegies and a wedge salad. He said, “That sounds good. I’ll have the same.”
They were halfway through the meal when someone approached their table. Evvie once again looked up into the face of Luke Prescott. “Hello, Evvie.”
“Oh, gosh, hello, Luke.”
To Brock, he said, “I’m Luke Prescott.”
“I know who you are. I follow the team. Brock Young. Very pleased to meet you.”
“Just get in from an away game?” Evvie asked.
“You know the drill. Of course, I saw you with The Jag when we played the Devils. So, you’re on good terms with him now?”
“Sure.” She faced Brock. “I got hit by a ball when Mike Jagielski batted. Long story about how I know Luke.”
A beautiful woman joined him. He introduced her as his date, and the couple left shortly after. She and Brock finished their meals as she gave him a rundown on the incident.
“I’ve seen the Raiders play. Jagielski is top-notch.”
“Yes, he is.”
Outside the restaurant, Brock walked her to her car. “Thanks, Evvie. I’d like to spend more time with you if you’re willing.”
That would be good for her. “Sure. I’ll call you. I have your card.”
He squeezed her arm. “Great. Drive safely.”
When she slid into the Prius, she swore she could still smell Mike’s scent of man and sweat and the outdoors.
As she drove home, she thought about her evening. Shit. She’d brought Mike along on this date. Maybe she needed to see Frankie tonight to distract herself.
Chapter 6
“You can’t wear that.” Lexy made the remark from the chair in Evvie’s bedroom.
Evvie had chosen a perfectly acceptable black cocktail dress with long sleeves and a high neck. “Why not? I’ve worn this to events before.”
“To what? A wake?”
“No, cocktail parties. Actually, Mamá bought it for me. She said it was chic and demure.” Her tone was sharp on the last words.
Her sister’s expression turned serious. “What’s going on, sweetie? You’re rarely in a bad mood.” Her eyes narrowed. “Didn’t the date with the pilot go well?”
“It was perfectly lovely. We went to dinner at a local restaurant and had a great time. He asked for another date.”
“What about Mike? Have you seen him since we talked?”
Evvie could still feel the way he’d run his knuckles down her cheek, the way he’d tipped her chin, then gave the lightest of kisses in the car that turned really hot!
She’d been disappointed that there wasn’t more.
She told Lexy about the camp, the touches, the kiss. And how she thought about Mike while she was with Brock.
“So you have feelings for him. That’s not a crime.”
“I can’t let this go anywhere, Lex. Celebrity shows on TV and all the hip magazines say he’s got a whole flock of women at his beck and call. I don’t want to be just one of his girls.”
“All right. That’s fine. But I’m not letting you wear that shroud. You’ll embarrass me.” Dressed in a slim red sequined dress with stilettos on her feet, Lexy rose and walked to the closet. “Oh dear Lord. This is depressing.” She rifled through Evvie’s clothes which were perfectly fine. “Wait...”
Her sister pulled something out of the back. “This is the one.”
“I bought that for your wedding. You helped me pick it out.” Lexy had decided to wed Ryder this winter after the hullabaloo of the release of her first book.
“So you get to wear it twice.”
“Lexy!”
“Humor me. Everyone e
lse will be dressed in fancy clothes. That’s why they call it a gala.”
“It’s a fundraiser.”
“The men will all be in tuxes. Mike, too.”
Oh, God, she’d have to be with him when he looked like a movie star. Lexy was right, she couldn’t wear the black dress. “Okay, but I’m still going to be mad that he made a stink about picking me up.”
From the living room, Ryder (who wore a tux) called out, “Hey, you two. He’s here.”
“Be right there,” Lexy answered. “Let him in.”
Tired of quibbling, Evvie stripped to her underwear and tried to grab the dress.
Lexy clutched it to her chest. “Wait, no spanx?”
“Don’t you dare...” At the expression in her sister’s eyes, Evvie said, “You’re kidding, right?”
“I am.”
Evvie stepped into the deep pink dress—that she liked—and Lexy did up the zipper. Then she turned into the mirror. “Oh.” She’d forgotten how it fit her: the material at the top covered only one shoulder and gathered at the waist. That gathering radiated up to her breasts and down to her thighs. The hem hit her knees.
“Oh is right! All the men will drool over you tonight.”
Lexy fished into her closet and found the sparkly silver sandals and a bag to match that they’d also purchased for the wedding.
Evvie slipped them on and picked up the purse. “I’m ready.”
“You’re wearing your hair in a ponytail?”
“What?”
This is gorgeous. Why do you wear it up?
“Oh, I forgot.” After taking out the tie, she shook out her curls.
Lexy scowled at her in the mirror. “I hate you sometimes. You have the prettiest hair of all of us.”
The mane did fall down past her shoulders in long waves. And it was easy to take care of. She simply fluffed the curls out with her hands, which she did now. “Okay, not bad.”
“Makeup?”
“Don’t push it, sister.”
Laughing, they walked out of the bedroom, down the hall and into the living room. Ryder must have opened the door before Mike could ring the bell. At least Mike didn’t just toot the horn.
That was unfair and she knew it. But she needed some armor tonight.
When she saw him, she almost started drooling. His formal wear included a gray tailored coat with skinny lapels. Beneath it, he wore all white: vest, shirt and tie. They simply stared at each other. For a long time.
“Hey you two. We lost you.” Lexy’s voice was full of humor.
Evvie watched Mike’s face. Silently, she thanked God his reaction to her was as astounded as hers had been to him. He said, “Wow. You are so beautiful, you take my breath away.”
“You, too.” She shook herself. “And I guess I do clean up good.”
Ryder slid his arm around Lexy. “I agree. You’re both stunning. Mike, this is Alexandra Marcello, my fiancé.”
Mike seemed to have trouble tearing his gaze away from Evvie. Finally Ryder’s words must have registered. “Nice to meet you, Alexandra. You’re another sister? I see the resemblance.”
“I am. You’ve met Brie.”
“I have.”
Ryder announced they should leave for the gala. “We’ll meet you there?”
“Yeah, sure.” Mike opened the door and let the couple out. Then he waited for Evvie to go first. Once inside the car, he turned to her. “You’re full of surprises, Evangelina.”
“You are, too.”
He chuckled. “I guess we both clean up good.”
* * *
The Windom Heights party house was located in downtown Baltimore, not far from the Children’s Care Center. A valet took the keys from Mike, and Mike circled around to open the side door. He reached out his hand.
Evvie took it. “Thanks. The car’s hard to get out of with this dress.”
That dress hugged every curve, and the high sandals made her legs seem longer. Her Cinderella transformation surprised him.
He kept his hand at her back as they walked up the steps and another man opened the door. “Wow!” Mike said when they got inside.
“It’s beautiful in here.”
“This is the fanciest place I’ve ever been in.”
She didn’t say the same about the high-ceiling lobby with a spiral staircase leading up to the second floor. A grand piano peeked out over the spindles.
“I like the couches,” Evvie said. “The teal color is exquisite.” Two bluish sofas were tucked nearly under the staircase.
The concierge approached them. “Good evening, Mr. Jagielski. Ms. Gentileschi.” He pointed straight ahead. “The ballroom is just beyond the couches. Some attendees are touring the center before the event, so not everyone has arrived. The bars are open.”
“Thank you.” Mike tried not to show his humble beginnings as they entered the ballroom. Huge arched windows shot up to the ceiling, casting six o’clock light on the tables covered with white clothes and teal napkins. “Shall we get a drink or sit?”
“A drink. Lexy and Ryder should be here soon.”
“Why are they coming?” he asked as they crossed to the room.
“She’s a children’s book author. Her publisher in New York, Ryder’s company, is sponsoring her for this fundraiser. They’re also donating books to the center, having readings and presentations.”
“You know people in high places.”
“Yes, I do.” She faced the bartender. “I’ll have prosecco.”
Mike ordered a whiskey on the rocks. The man poured her drink into a flute and it bubbled up. “So prosecco’s champagne?”
“Pretty much. It’s a sparkling wine made in Veneto, Italy.”
“Are you from there?”
“No. There’s Lexy.” She motioned the couple over.
After they chatted, people began to arrive, and when the room filled up, Jim Barber, the doctor in charge, took the mic. He asked people to sit, then thanked them for attending. “Instead of speeches tonight, we’re going to have a casual evening of dinner and dancing. That way you get to talk to our celebrities at each table.”
Mike listened as they introduced a movie star, a politician, a doctor who’d just won the Nobel Peace Prize for Medicine. “Next is Mike Jagielski, captain of the Washington Raiders. Mike’s accompanied by our own lovely Evangelina Gentileschi, a neonatal nurse.”
Murmurs went through the group. Mike wondered briefly if it was because he played for the Lions’ rival team, but when he stood, people clapped enthusiastically so it couldn’t be that.
When introductions ended, waiters served wine. A man next to Mike leaned over. “Evangelina, how is your father?”
She froze.
And across the table, Lexy froze.
“You know my father?”
“Yes, I’m John Tombs, the diplomatic liaison to Casarina. I visited your mother’s schools when I was last there.”
Someone else asked “Who’s your father, Evangelina?”
When she didn’t answer, the diplomat did. “King Alessio Gentileschi.”
* * *
Mike didn’t say a word as the valet pulled up his car. Once inside the vehicle, she started to explain, but he barked out, “Don’t talk until we get to your house.”
So he was mad. That she didn’t tell him her background? She had no obligation to reveal that. Still, she must have touched a nerve. After her royalty was revealed, he’d been polite the rest of the evening, but cold and distant. The man who played ball with poor kids and kissed her afterward had disappeared. That upset her more than it should.
Once inside the house, she turned to him in the foyer. “What’s wrong, Mike?”
“You’re a fucking princess?”
“Well, yes, I do fuck sometimes. But I’m very picky.”
His jaw tightened. “No more one-line quips. I’ve heard enough of them.”
“What quips?”
He raised his thumb. “Number one: Wouldn’t you consider yourself a high-f
lying athlete?”
Number two and a finger this time. “I had to spend half my salary on season tickets.
“You said your hobbies were being with your family. You didn’t say they were royalty. And I’m sure you do a lot more than knit, read and play softball.” He ran his hand through his short hair. “You also said we had different lifestyles. Different values. Tell me princesses don’t lead a glitzy life. Or don’t like expensive things. Don’t live in the limelight.”
He had a point. And she felt bad about what she’d done. “I admit I mislead you.”
“You did a hell of a lot more than mislead me, sweetheart.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “Why, Evvie?” His voice was hoarse. “You let me think I was superficial, that there was something wrong with liking nice cars and houses, with being famous.”
His earnest tone made her want to cry. “You’re right. I did that.” God, had she disliked him so much that she’d said things intentionally that hurt him?
He wasn’t finished. “I hate people like you. People who demean others. You’re just like the kids...” His face closed down. “Never mind.”
“Mike...”
“I’m outta here. I never want to see you again.” He tried to go around her, but she sidled in front of the door and flattened herself against the wood. “Don’t go. Please. I want to talk to you.”
“Get out of the way.”
“No. And remember, my father’s a king and he can have you extradited if you bodily remove me.”
* * *
Loosening his tie, Mike sat with his arm stretched out on the back of her couch, trying to ease the knot in his stomach. Something more was going on if this was his reaction to Evvie making him feel bad because of his lifestyle.
She’d gone to the kitchen but returned quickly with glasses of ice water. She set them on the coffee table, then sat on the couch. “I’m ashamed of myself, not for concealing my background, because I’m not doing that. Lexy’s publisher found out and is using our status to promote the books. It almost split them up. Also, some people at the hospital know, along with a few of my friends. But I did taunt you about how you live. And I’m not exactly sure why.”