Once Upon a Summertime

by Melody Carlson

  “Right.” Anna avoided Sean’s face.

  “Take care of it ASAP,” Mrs. Newman told them. “And get them replaced.”

  “I’m on it,” Sean told her.

  “Yes.” Anna stood. “So am I.”

  “Good.” Mrs. Newman smiled. “I’m glad I can depend on both of you.”

  As Anna left, she felt as if storm clouds were gathering. Or as if she were walking into a dangerous minefield. She reminded herself that she had done nothing wrong. Sure, the friendship she shared with Sean felt like it could bloom into something more. But not if she nipped it in the bud. Okay, maybe it was more than just a bud by now. But she would nip it. She would not allow her feelings to derail both her and Sean. In the meantime, she had to go fire someone.

  The grand opening party was well attended, and it seemed that the Rothsberg was well on its way to becoming SoHo’s next big success story. Anna was glad to see Marley there, dressed to the nines and looking like a million bucks. Marley divided her time between the Newmans and Max and Elsie, as well as the who’s who of Manhattan. As Anna watched from the sidelines, she was slightly surprised to see that Marley was such a good schmoozer. No one would ever have guessed that Marley, like Anna, was from a small town like Springville. Of course, Sean shared their humble origins too, but he always seemed so at ease, so comfortable and in his element, that Anna sometimes forgot how similar their roots really were.

  With everyone looking all glamorous and glittery tonight, Anna felt like a small-town bumpkin. Especially since she was dressed in her serious black work suit. However, she reminded herself, she was working. Although Sean was working too. Yet he was wearing a stylish tux and doing just as much schmoozing as Anna’s congenial roommate. Anna tried to watch discreetly from the sidelines, admiring how Sean skillfully worked the crowd. He was hard to ignore—so handsome and debonair, so outgoing and friendly. Almost like a celebrity.

  Her spying was spoiled when she witnessed Sean and Marley clinking their glasses of champagne together—visiting and laughing like old friends . . . or much more. Anna knew it was childish, but she couldn’t take it. She returned to housekeeping. After ensuring that everything was under control, since Ellen was still there and Anna’s shift had been over for a couple of hours, Anna went home and went to bed.

  With the hotel at nearly full capacity, Sunday was just as busy as Saturday had been, and when quitting time came, Anna was thankful to call it a day and looking forward to two blessed days off. She was also thankful to come home to a vacated apartment, because she knew that Marley was going out tonight and then flying to Amsterdam and who knew where else tomorrow morning. Anna would have the place to herself for a couple of days. A couple of days to think some things through.

  By Monday morning Anna was painfully aware of two things. One, Sean had been all business ever since that night when Marley had popped in unexpectedly and made her insinuations. Two, Anna was hopelessly in love with Sean. There was no denying it.

  As hard as it was to admit these things to herself, Anna knew it was time to face them head-on. For one thing, Anna was worried that she might be getting an ulcer, especially after having to fire Cindy. For another thing, Anna was worried for Sean’s sake because Velma had been fit to be tied. Oh, she didn’t really think that Velma would go to Mrs. Newman or tell her what she had observed that night in the Newmans’ penthouse. Besides, what had she observed? An awkward conversation? A stilted apology? That was all. But what if Velma did tell? What then?

  Anna suspected that Sean had experienced similar concerns. That was probably the reason he’d played it cooler than ever these past few days. He had obviously reached the place where he realized that pursuing a relationship with Anna—even if they called it “just friendship”—would ultimately put his job at risk. Like her, he probably could not afford it.

  Pacing back and forth in the small apartment, Anna was trying to come up with a solution. She knew that if she quit the hotel now, she would probably get a fairly decent reference from Mrs. Newman. For the next job she sought, though, she would probably be questioned about why she’d quit after only one month on the job. Such a short stint at such an up-and-coming hotel would be a red flag to her next employer. But if she stayed, she might risk getting fired. Whether it was from her own carelessness, or Sean’s, or even a vindictive Velma, Anna could easily lose her job. Then where would she be? With her nest egg dwindled away, her only recourse might be to go back home to live with Grandma.

  Anna stopped pacing and looked up at the Rainy Day painting and let out a long sigh. Why did life have to be so complicated? How could something so good turn out to be so wrong? She went over to check on Gordy, crumbling a couple flakes into his bowl and watching as he gobbled them up. If only her life was as simple as his.

  28

  By Tuesday evening, which happened to be the Fourth of July, Anna had made up her mind. She told herself that since it was Independence Day, she would exercise some independence by making a decision that would ultimately set her free. Okay, maybe she didn’t really want to be cut loose and set free, but if it would preserve Sean’s job and hopefully get her a decent recommendation, it would be worth it. Besides that, it seemed like the right and decent thing to do. As head of housekeeping, she just plain couldn’t fall head over heels in love with the manager of the same hotel, and she knew that’s what she’d done. To be fair, it seemed that it was partly Sean’s fault too. Didn’t it take two to fall in love? Or was that two to tango? But since their relationship didn’t seem to unnerve him quite the way it did her, she figured it was her responsibility to move on.

  Anna had spent the afternoon cruising job sites on the internet and had already made a short list of places she planned to check out. She knew she had to give the hotel two weeks’ notice, but it wouldn’t be too soon to start putting in applications.

  As she fixed herself a light dinner of soup and salad, she began to feel better about the situation. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but at least she was taking the bull by the horns, as Grandma would say. Even if her references weren’t stellar, she knew that she could prove herself . . . again. This time she would stick with the job for at least two years. She might even promise her new employer as much. Really, what choice did she have if she wanted to be taken seriously?

  After dinner, she called her grandma, but instead of telling her of this decision, she kept the conversation light and happy. She didn’t want Grandma to concern herself with Anna’s problems just yet. After she got resettled in a new job, she’d spill the beans.

  “Are you going to watch the fireworks?” Grandma finally said. “I’ve heard they’re really something out there in New York City. You’ll have to take some photos to send me.”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Anna told her. “I think I might even be able to watch them from the apartment.”

  “I showed my bunco group the photos you sent me of your apartment, Anna. They were so impressed. You’re such a big city girl now. Go figure.”

  It was fun to hear the pride in Grandma’s voice. Just one more reason not to tell her about the job situation before she was squared away.

  After Anna hung up, she thought about going outside to see if there was a good spot in the neighborhood to watch the fireworks. But the way she felt tonight, well, she just wasn’t in a festive firecracker sort of mood. Oh, she was resolved and even experiencing a tiny bit of relief, but she wasn’t feeling celebratory. Knowing she had work tomorrow, she was thinking she might just call it a night.

  She was just turning out the lights in the living room when she heard the buzzer for the front entrance. Thinking it might be Marley coming home early and unable to locate her key, Anna answered the intercom, saying, “Who is it?”

  “It’s me. Sean.”

  “Sean?” She felt a flutter in her chest.

  “Yeah. I’ve been trying to call your cell for about an hour. I finally decided to just stop by and see if you were here.”

  “Why?”

/>   “To take you to the fireworks.”

  “Huh?”

  “Come on, Anna. Don’t say no.”

  She pushed the button to let him into the building, then waited at her door. “What on earth are you doing?” she asked, trying not to be pulled in by his hopeful smile.

  “Taking you to see the fireworks.” He looked at her scruffy shorts and stained T-shirt. “That what you’re wearing?”

  “No.” She frowned. “I mean yes. I mean—”

  “Hurry, Anna, go change.”

  “But I—”

  “This is our first Fourth in New York, Anna. We have to see the fireworks.”

  Feeling slightly lost but also slightly giddy, Anna ran to the bedroom and quickly changed into khakis and a blue-and-white striped T-shirt. Grabbing up a navy cashmere cardigan in case it got cool, she hurried back out.

  “Beautiful,” he said appreciatively.

  “Well, I don’t know about—”

  “Come on.” He grabbed her by the hand. “Let’s go.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked as they hurried out of the building.

  “You’ll see.”

  It didn’t take long for her to realize he was headed for the hotel. “What are you doing?” she demanded as he slid his employee card into the side entrance door.

  “You’ll see.”

  “Sean,” she pleaded, “this is going to look suspicious. You can’t—”

  “Shh,” he hissed. “Come on.” He led her directly to the service elevator, inserted his card again, and pushed the top button, which had to be for the rooftop terrace, although she’d only seen it once.

  “Sean, this is crazy. The Newmans are using the private terrace for their party tonight.”

  “I know.”

  “We can’t go up there. They’ll see us and—”

  “Relax, Anna. I’ve got this under control.”

  “But it’s nuts, Sean. You’re asking for trouble.”

  He turned to look at her. “Just trust me, okay?”

  “It’s your funeral.” She sighed, thinking it would be hers too. So much for giving her notice and making a graceful exit. If they got caught together, they’d both be going out like the fireworks—with a big boom!

  The elevator opened into a little room that led out to the terrace. As they went outside, Anna’s heart was pounding. Had Sean lost his mind? She could see flickering lights off to one side. She heard the sounds of voices, music, and laughter, obviously the Newmans’ party. Surely Sean didn’t intend to crash it.

  To her great relief, he led her in the opposite direction. Using a little flashlight to guide them around various lumps and bumps on the roof, he turned a corner, and there in a quiet nook was a pair of chairs, a small table with a hurricane candle burning bravely, and what appeared to be a picnic basket.

  “What is this?” she asked as he led her over.

  “Our personal fireworks show.” He helped her to sit in a chair, then knelt down to open the picnic basket. He removed a plate with cheese and fruit and crackers, setting it on the table. Then he proceeded to open a bottle of sparkling apple cider, fill a pair of glasses, and hand her one. “Here’s to us, Anna.” He clicked his glass against hers as he sat down next to her.

  She was too stunned to even speak. On one hand, she was over the moon thrilled. This was so beautiful, so romantic, so unexpected. But on the other hand, she was terrified. What if they were discovered by the Newmans? How could they not be discovered when they were only twenty or thirty feet apart?

  “I’m toasting to us, Anna,” Sean said with an urgency.

  Anna just sat there, staring dumbly at him. Had he lost his mind?

  “Aren’t you going to toast me back?” he asked.

  “To be honest, I’m in shock,” she told him. “I don’t even know what to say to you.”

  He laughed. “Yes, I’m sorry about that. I suppose this seems pretty extreme.”

  “You could lose your job,” she said quietly, concerned that someone from the party might wander this way and overhear them.

  “I’m not worried.”

  “Well, you should be. I mean, I plan to give my notice tomorrow, but you—”

  “Give your notice?” He looked alarmed. “Why?”

  “Because I think it’s wise. For your sake as much as for mine.”

  “You’d quit your job to protect me?” He reached over to touch her cheek. “See, Anna, that’s just one more reason to love you.”

  “Love me?”

  “Of course.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “But you knew that all along, didn’t you?”

  “But I . . .” She felt light-headed, like she was afraid to breathe, like this might all just evaporate.

  “I know it’s been a whirlwind romance, Anna. Not at all like I planned it should be. And not very convenient—at least where our jobs are concerned. But when something’s right . . .” He shrugged. “What can you do?”

  “I, uh, I don’t know.” She studied him, still trying to determine if this was for real or just some weird, happy dream.

  He held up his glass again. “To us?”

  She nodded, clinking her glass against his. “To us.”

  They each took a sip and then, just as a giant burst of fireworks exploded over the river, Sean leaned over and kissed her. There was no doubt this time that the kiss was intentional. It was long and intense and passionate—and the fireworks exploding inside of her were far brighter and louder than the ones exploding over the river. When he finally stopped kissing her, she was totally speechless.

  “I love you, Anna,” he said quietly. “I’ve known it for a full month now. Remember when I invited myself to eat dinner with you at the outdoor café near the hotel? Well, right then and there, I knew that I was falling. Oh, I tried to convince myself otherwise, but it was useless.”

  “I love you too,” she acknowledged. “I wanted to deny it. I pretended it wasn’t true. But I fell for you on that first Sunday we spent sightseeing together. I think I knew it for sure when we were at Ellis Island. I tried to tell myself we were just friends, but deep inside I knew it was more.”

  “I’ve never felt as connected to someone as I do to you,” Sean confessed. “I know it sounds corny, Anna, but it feels like we really were made for each other.”

  She laughed. “It doesn’t sound corny to me. I’ve felt the same way. I mean, how many times have we both liked the same things, expressed similar thoughts, finished each other’s sentences? It’s like we’ve known each other for ages.”

  “Well, we did grow up in the same small town.” He ran his fingers over her cheek.

  “So did Marley,” she pointed out.

  He chuckled. “So much for that theory. I mean, Marley is nice and all, but she is not you, Anna. Not even close.”

  As the fireworks continued exploding, Sean kissed her again . . . and again. Finally, as much as she was enjoying this magical evening, Anna knew there were questions that demanded some answers.

  “What about your job?” she said during a lull between explosions. “I mean, I do plan to give my notice tomorrow, but I’d like to get a good recommendation before I move on.” She glanced nervously over her shoulder. “What if the Newmans discovered us up here tonight?” She jerked her thumb back toward the area where their party was still going on. “We’d both be toast and you know it.”

  “Maybe not.”

  “Maybe not?” She shook her head. Had Sean lost his senses? “You heard Mrs. Newman the other day. ‘Rules are rules.’ No exceptions.”

  “That’s right.” He nodded. “But are you aware that the rules have a provision for married couples?”

  “What?” Anna wondered if she’d heard him right.

  “Because Mr. and Mrs. Newman are married, they decided to put in a provision saying that married couples can work at the Rothsberg.”

  “I’ve never seen that in the employee manual.” Anna blinked. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?

/>   “That’s because it’s a new rule. I just spoke to Mr. Newman this afternoon, explaining our situation and—”

  “You told Mr. Newman about us?”

  He nodded. “I think honesty truly is the best policy.”

  “Oh.” She felt slightly breathless now. Had Sean really just mentioned marriage?

  “He talked to Mrs. Newman about it, and they have agreed to change the rules to allow married couples. It makes perfect sense. Married employees are usually the most dependable.”

  “We’re not married, Sean.”

  “Not yet.” He leaned over to kiss her again. “Anna, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

  “Yes,” she said without even stopping to think about her answer. “I most definitely will.”

  As another big display of red, white, and blue explosions burst over their heads, lighting up the blackened sky, they kissed again.

  1

  Tia D’Amico was sick of pasta. Not sick of consuming it—no self-respecting member of an Italian family would admit to as much. She was tired of making it. Whether it was fettuccine, tortellini, rigatoni, cannelloni, or even today’s special—ravioli filled with spinach, ricotta, and morel mushrooms—she’d grown weary of the process. And that was embarrassing to admit. Especially when she used to love the sweet simplicity of mixing semolina and eggs, then watching the shiny machine do its magic until the dough was just right, followed by the process of rolling, pressing, molding, cutting, drying, and finally serving it up to the restaurant’s appreciative guests. Pasta used to make her happy.

  “This is not why I went to culinary arts school,” she told her uncle as he carried a crate of seafood into the kitchen. Tony was her father’s brother as well as her boss and favorite uncle. Her short-term plan, after graduating, had been to work at his restaurant for a while. Long enough to build up her résumé, and then she’d move on to something bigger and better. Unfortunately, nothing bigger or better had surfaced in the two years she’d been here. But, to be fair, with all the hours she was putting in D’Amico’s Fine Italian Restaurant, she had little time to job hunt—or have a life.