Rei looked down at her own cup, touching it with her hands but not enough to lift it. “Yes, I do.”
Rei continued to hold the cup without picking it up, and Mercedes realized this was a sign of nervousness. Rei’s lips twisted. “I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you. I was wrong to do so, and I hope you can forgive me in time.”
That’s why she wanted me to come here? She never expected an apology from the young woman. Not anytime soon anyway—or unprompted. Or is it?
Mercedes brought her hot drink up to her lips and sipped, taking in the mix of bold and sweet tastes. “You have a great choice in coffee. This is quite delicious.”
Rei looked at her, both concern and confusion crossing her face. Mercedes then smiled. “I appreciate your apology, and accept it.”
Rei visibly relaxed. “Thank you.”
Mercedes took another sip of her cappuccino. “I am curious what brought it on, though.” The look of embarrassment she received tipped Mercedes off. “Does it have to do with your brother?”
“Partially. He’s a reason I wanted to talk you, but he’s not the reason for my apology.” Rei took a quick sip of her hot drink. “After seeing you defend Emi with Jason’s ridiculous actions, it made me think about how I’d be acting and how immature I’ve been. I let it consume me, and put a strain on my friendships and my kinship with my own brother. I’ve been a major fool.”
Mercedes smiled and took a bite of her pastry, finding it had a blackberry-apple cinnamon filling. Delicious. “Even though we’re adults, we’re all prone to immature and stupid actions.” She brought her cappuccino up to her lips, and the memories her fight with Takashi surfaced. “Even me.”
“Will you give my brother another chance?” Mercedes looked at her to find Rei’s attention full on her now. “I got him to tell me what happened, or at least his side of what happened. And yeah, he was an idiot—well I called him a dumbass, but that’s beside the point.”
Mercedes chuckled but allowed her continue. “My point is, he was stupid, but he didn’t mean to hurt you. He’s not that kind of guy who would do something to hurt his girl on purpose. And it’s eating him up that he did.”
Rei reached out and grabbed her hand. “Please give him another chance.” She smirked. “And he’s not making or bribing me to do all this begging. In case you were wondering.”
Mercedes couldn’t help but chuckle. “I appreciate the disclosure there.” She then frowned. “This has been very difficult for me. I have not had the greatest luck with men. I have a hard time letting go of that pain that has haunted me for years. This has made it hard for me to up and forgive your brother, as much as a part of me wants to.”
Mercedes’ shoulders sagged. Which pain was worth it, though? Losing him, or being reminded of the past because of an accident?
Rei nodded. “I get it. I have a cybernetic myself.”
This surprised Mercedes. Takashi never mentioned that before.
“It’s just one of my feet, making it easier to hide, but I’m no stranger to the judgment. I don’t wear sandals or open-toe shoes, and I rarely go barefoot, even at home. It’s enough to keep the judgment to a minimum, so much so that not even Takashi would have known I had trouble fitting in at times.”
Rei took a deep breath. “It’s one reason I’m so passionate about the field. Even with medical advancements for replacing limbs with real tissue and bone, I don’t see cybernetics going away anytime soon. And because of that, I want to help improve them, and remove the stigma. I’ve got several improvements I’ve been working on in the lab at school. Nothing is quite right yet, but I know I’m close. And If I can get these figured out, that stigma can be next.”
Rei looked her in the eyes. “My brother would never fall into this stigma belief. I promise you, if you took him back, he’d make this all up to you. Please give him a chance to prove that.”
Mercedes’ lips curved up the side of her face. Rei was a persistent and passionate woman. Mercedes could admire that. Mercedes dug through her purse, pulling out a business card. She slid it across the table. “Take this.”
Rei picked up the card and her mouth fell open. “Is this…”
“Someone with passion like you is needed in the cybernetic field. And while I don’t know how far along you are in your studies, Cybro Industries is always taking on passionate interns. Tell Narissa I sent you her way, and she’ll review your portfolio personally.”
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
A chuckle escaped Mercedes’ throat and she pulled out her phone. “While you figure that out, I need to send a message to your brother.”
A meek smile appeared on Rei’s face. “Thank you.”
Mercedes typed out a message through the remote game chat.
Sorry I’ve been such a bitch.
No more than ten seconds later did she get a response back.
Don’t say that. You weren’t. You had every right to be mad at me. It’s my fault for hurting you. I’m sorry.
Me too.
Dinner tonight? My treat?
Mercedes snorted.
You don’t have to pay for everything, you know.
Watch me.
Mercedes shook her head. He was something else.
Then maybe I don’t want to go to dinner with you now.
Don’t be a bitch ;)
A grin spread across Mercedes’ face.
At least this bitch knows how to drive a stick ;)
Promise?
Only if I get to pick where we go.
Nope. I’m already working up reservations.
Jerk.
You love me <3
Maybe :P
The ease of the interaction sent a flutter of pleasant emotions through her. She missed this. And as much as what happened hurt, losing him would hurt even more.
Reservation is at seven, I’ll pick you up. And no, you can’t know where until we get there.
She shook her head and teased him a bit before sending her address so he’d be able to pick her up.
“Let me guess, my brother set up a date for tonight and he’s insisting on paying,” Rei said as Mercedes put her phone down.
Mercedes picked up her cooling cup of coffee. “You know him well.”
“He gets it from Dad. Both are predictable.”
An amused smile appeared on Mercedes’ face as she consumed her hot drink. “Most men are. Now, enough about him. I want to know more about you.” She placed her cup down. “If that’s okay.”
Rei’s eyes squinted as she smiled. “I’d like that.”
A tickle came to Mercedes’ nose as she applied foundation to her face. She did her best to resist the urge that came with it, but ultimately she failed. She sneezed loud, barely managing to angle herself away from all her makeup spread across her bathroom sink.
“Gesundheit,” Tasha said.
Mercedes smiled. “Thank you.”
“As a reminder, Mr. Takashi will be here in five minutes.”
“Yes, I know I’m falling behind. Hopefully I can finish getting my face on before he shows up.”
“But, Miss Mercedes, your face is already on. Otherwise you’d need to go to the hospital.”
Mercedes laughed. “It’s an expression, Tasha.”
“Oh, I shall research this expression, then.”
An amused smile on her lips, Mercedes went back to getting herself ready. Butterflies fluttered like crazy in her stomach. Now that she wasn’t being stubborn, the prospect of seeing him had her all giddy.
Mercedes applied her lipstick, the focus reminding her of the last time her lips touched his. She wouldn’t mind getting a few more by the time the night was over.
After her talk with Rei, which had turned out to be a wonderful lunch date, Mer
cedes relayed everything to her two best friends. Neither were subtle with their relief, especially Shira. She’d actually made another one of her treasure-hunting sexual jokes, just to get a small rise out of Mercedes.
“Miss Mercedes,” Tasha said. “Mr. Takashi has pulled into the driveway.”
“Please let him know he’s welcome to come right in since I’m still getting ready.”
“Of course, Miss Mercedes.”
A moment later, someone knocked on her door and then it opened. “Mercedes? Tasha said I could come in.”
“Yep, I’m still putting on my face.”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure if anyone told you, but that’s supposed to stay on.”
“Miss Mercedes, is this reaction part of the expression?”
Mercedes smiled. “In a way, yes.”
“I will add it to my database so I do not second-guess the expression.”
Takashi laughed but refrained any comment.
“You’re welcome to wander around and make yourself at home. Just don’t go through my drawers.”
Takashi chuckled. “I’ve already done that.”
Her eyeliner application halted for a moment. “Well, not technically as I wasn’t wearing any that time.”
“Are you now?”
She snickered. “Maybe.”
“Tasha, you’re not adding this to your database, are you?”
She smiled at his change. She guessed it got him a little riled up, as she’d hoped.
“I already have this expression logged,” Tasha response. “Miss Shira is a rather vulgar young woman.”
Mercedes sputtered a laugh. She wasn’t entirely wrong. Shira hadn’t grown up in a prim and proper lifestyle, and had since struggled to adapt to such when it was introduced to her in her teen years.
“Hey, did you get that hacking issue figured out?” she called out to Takashi.
“For now, yeah. Who knows when it’ll happen again.”
She didn’t like the sound of that, but she also understood. It’d happened too often lately, she could see why he wouldn’t be confident about the security in the long run.
Eye shadow finally done, Mercedes tidied up her sink and then left her master bath for the full-length mirror in the bedroom to check herself over. Shira and Narissa had helped her pick out a tight black, one-shouldered maxi dress with a thigh split from her closet and helped her decide on some heeled open-toed shoes. Narissa convinced her to style her hair like she had at the party, and Shira told her the exact makeup she’d want to decorate her face with, along with the jewelry adorning her.
While she fussed, making sure everything looked right, she realized how quiet Takashi had been. “You’re being awfully patient.”
“I have a mother, two sisters, and dated a fashion designer,” he replied. “I’ve learned.”
She chuckled and finished with her fussing, noting she’d have to thank her friends for their help. She looked good. Now, hopefully Takashi will think the same.
Mercedes emerged from her room to find Takashi leaning against the back of her couch, a bouquet of red roses in his hands. He wore a suit again, flaring up inappropriate thoughts in her brain, reminding her how much she craved his touch. So many things I could do with that tie… She needed her hormones to simmer down again. Craving or not, they needed to make it through dinner, at least. Maybe the car can take the long way home…
Takashi looked her way and stared. She smoothed out her dress the longer he did and became self-conscious. “Well… say something.”
He chewed his lower lip, reminding her of when he’d done that to her. How she wished for him to do that to her again. “I’m trying to rationalize blowing the favor I cashed in for our dinner reservations.”
Mercedes’ face warmed. Well, he likes it. She continued to fuss with her dress. “I know it’s not the other dress, but I thought this one might be better for a date for two.”
“You could wear whatever you want and still look amazing, and I’d do what I could to adjust plans for it.”
A sly grin spread across her lips. “So if I wore nothing?”
He visibly swallowed and then presented the bouquet of flowers. “I have these for you.”
Mercedes continued to smile. She enjoyed getting a reaction out of him. She accepted the gift and inhaled the sweet aroma, noting again the color. It made her smile. “Thank you. Let me get it in a vase or two and then we can go. If that’s okay.”
He smiled. “Our reservation isn’t until seven. We have time.”
Mercedes entered the kitchen. “Where are we eating?”
“I told you, it’s a secret.”
She let out a long sigh. “Can I know what kind of food we’re eating?”
“Italian.”
“Nice. I get to utilize my gym membership tomorrow.”
Takashi laughed. “While you won’t gain any weight in one night, I’d be more than happy to accompany you on that excursion.”
She didn’t hate the idea, that was for sure. Shira never worked out with her. That woman rarely ever left her house these days.
Mercedes pulled out two vases and filled them with water. “So what’s this favor you cashed in?”
“I helped out a family friend last year and he gave me a free VIP seating at his restaurant whenever I needed to cash in.”
“I see.” There weren’t many restaurants in the area that had VIP seating. None of the more expensive places she’d ever gone to had them.
“Stop thinking now,” Takashi said. “No ruining the surprise.”
She glanced back at him, her lower lip sticking out. “Don’t be mean.”
Takashi shoved his hands in his pocket and ran his tongue over his teeth. “Don’t be a tease.”
Mercedes winked and split up the bouquet of flowers so it’d fit in both vases. “You love it.”
He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and pressed his face into her hair near the nape of her neck. “You’re right, I do.”
Her whole body quivered. How she ached for his touch. That one night wasn’t enough for her.
“Takashi,” Ochi’s computer voice said from Takashi’s phone, making them both jump. “If you wish to be on time for your reservation, I would highly suggest the two of you leave now. Unless you’d rather cancel.”
Takashi sucked in a tight breath and pulled away, sending a pang of disappointment through her. “No, I don’t want to cancel. I need to make up for the past two weeks.”
“There’s more than one way to do that.” Mercedes couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out of her mouth. Damn, desperate much, Mercedes?
Takashi grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. “That may be, but dinner with a perfect view is how I’d like to start it off.” He winked. “Especially when I have to make it up to a smart, beautiful woman.”
She smiled, finding his words corny as hell, but she appreciated them nonetheless.
Takashi helped her into the car and then they drove off.
Soft music played while Takashi and Mercedes sipped wine on the patio overlooking the San Francisco bay. He’d kept the destination a secret up until the restaurant came into view. Petalo Di Rosa, one of the best five-star restaurants in the bay area. Mercedes had heard of it, but it was always too fancy, and frankly, too expensive for her. Now here she was, sharing a bottle of wine with the most perfect man she could ever ask for.
The waiter approached their table with the caprese kabobs and prosciutto-and-basil-wrapped shrimp appetizers they ordered. The pair thanked him before he left to check on other tables. Mercedes nibbled on her snack, watching Takashi pop a shrimp in his mouth.
“So, Takashi,” she began. “Is your family doing okay with what happened to the floral shop?”
He smiled at her. “Yes. Upset, but it can be replaced. My mother is looking up the benefits of rebuilding since she owned the building, or just moving elsewhere and renting. How are you doing about it? Your mom was my mother’s business partner there, after all.”
Mercedes looked down. “It’s been so long since I’ve been there, I don’t have any attachment to that place anymore.”
“If it’s okay to ask, how long has it been?”
She thought for a moment. “About thirteen years now.”
“I’m sorry…”
Mercedes smiled at him. “It’s okay. It’s taken a long time, but slowly I’ve come to terms with the loss. There are days it’s difficult, but I manage.”
“Have I told you how much I admire your tenacity?” He took a sip of wine, not taking his eyes off her.
Mercedes pulled the tomato on her kabob off with her teeth. “Once or twice.”
Takashi ate a shrimp. “How is the investigation going for your father’s place? It’s been a number of weeks.”
“Fixing-up-wise, great. The insurance took care of most of the damage, and we didn’t have to delay any projects.” Mercedes’ lips twisted. “Investigation-wise, not so great. They don’t have any leads. It’s out of our hands now, so all we can do is wait.”
“Sounds like us.”
Mercedes glanced down at their phones that lay on the table. When they’d arrived and made their order, he’d unlocked it and offered to show her he hadn’t been lying about the text attempts. In response she’d done the same, but never touched his phone.
She had no reason to look. Her insecurities may nag her to snoop, just to be sure of… well everything, but she needed to trust him. She needed to shove her insecurities in a dark box where they belong, and view Takashi as she always had—honest. She’d never second-guessed him in the past when they were “just friends,” so this hadn’t been the time to do it now.
Spellbinding His Ranger Page 26