by Jo Leigh
She’d just put her purse in her drawer when her boss, Eugene Tinibu, stopped her. “Could you please come with me to the delegates’ lounge? Ambassador Adolphi’s wife is having some difficulties with her Russian dress designer.”
“Seriously? I’ve just left the—”
“I realize. But I would appreciate you taking a few moments.”
“A few? You know Ambassador Adolphi’s wife never uses two words when ten will do, and now you’re adding a Russian dress designer to the mix?”
“It’s you, or I have to dig up two translators, and all I want, dear God, is to meet my wife for her doctor’s appointment. Our first ultrasound of the baby.”
Catherine checked her watch. “That’s low, Eugene,” she said, teasing him. “Using your wife like that. But fine. Go see your baby. And bring back a copy of the picture.”
He squeezed her shoulder and dashed off. Of course, she could have mentioned that her lunch plans were at the delegates’ dining room, which was near the lounge, so it wasn’t really that big of a deal. Although Adolphi’s wife was a nightmare.
When Catherine reached the lounge she saw the two women right away. Mrs. Adolphi, a beautiful Italian woman with extravagant tastes, was staring daggers at another beautiful woman who was staring right back. Before Catherine could get a word out, Mrs. Adolphi started speaking to her in Italian and the designer joined in in her native Russian. As the daughter of two career diplomats, Catherine had no trouble shutting them both up. Not five minutes later, she’d figured out that the dispute was based on a simple misunderstanding.
After setting a date and location for the first fitting, both women thanked Catherine and invited her to have drinks with them at an exclusive Manhattan private club.
She declined, of course, in spite of their insistence. Even if Catherine hadn’t been meeting Tony later, she’d have had no interest in going to a club with those two. At least she didn’t have to rush to make her lunch date.
She arrived five minutes early, but Victor was already waiting for her. As usual, he looked the picture of sophistication in his charcoal-gray suit. They were seated quickly at a quiet table, and they both ordered without having to look at the menu. Catherine told him about Mrs. Adolphi, and Victor listened attentively, his gaze a little too intense for her liking.
They managed to get through most of Catherine’s Cobb salad and Victor’s fish before he brought up the World Health Organization banquet a month away. “I was hoping we could go together,” he said.
“Thank you, Victor. But I’m actually seeing someone, and he’s going to be my date for the banquet.”
Victor looked surprised. Very surprised. “I had no idea.”
“He doesn’t work here.”
“I see. He must be a fascinating fellow for him to have caught your interest.”
“He is,” she said. “But I can’t imagine there aren’t a dozen other women out there hoping you’ll ask them to the banquet. I know you, Victor. You’re a scoundrel.”
“Is that really what you think?”
“I do. But it looks good on you. God—I’m sorry, but I’ve got to get going. Mrs. Adolphi stole my valuable email-checking time. And I believe it’s my turn to spring for lunch, yes?”
“Fine,” he said, although he didn’t look happy about it. “If I’d remembered, I would have ordered something more expensive,” he teased.
She smiled and put cash in the bill holder, then stood up, knowing Victor would, too. The guy had impeccable manners. He didn’t need to know that she really wasn’t in a rush to get back to work. She’d left her afternoon open in case the Security Council meeting ran long. She kissed him on each cheek, and said, “Next week, why don’t we make reservations at Kurumazushi?” They both knew it was one of the most expensive restaurants in New York.
“All right, as long as we ask for separate checks,” he said with a charming smile.
“Not a chance. See you later.” She felt his gaze on her ass all the way across the room. When she arrived back at her office, she couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d told Victor that she was seeing someone. Because she wasn’t. Not really. The last thing she could ever ask Tony to do was go with her to the banquet. It wasn’t even a matter of being seen together. He would hate it, she was sure. It was silly to consider it at all.
Although he’d surprised her the other night. She hadn’t expected that luxury apartment or the posh furnishings.
She started reading an article, but realized she couldn’t concentrate one iota. Whatever else happened between her and Tony Paladino, she had to stop thinking about him as often as she did. It was interfering with her life. Just when her dreams were taking root and her life was falling into place.
Catherine sank back in her chair and sighed. But after that taste of what he was like in bed, what hope did she have?
* * *
FIVE MINUTES LATE, and Tony knew his mother was going to give him grief about it. Was it his fault there’d been an accident on Fifth Avenue? Besides, there was nothing urgent about this doctor’s appointment. It was his dad’s regular checkup, that was all. Tony was there to make sure his mom would get all the information straight. Either he or Luca, or sometimes Dom, accompanied her to each appointment.
Only, when he opened the door to the cardiologist’s office, Dom was there. Sitting next to Mom, not talking. And Mom looked pissed.
“Tony. You came,” she said. In the voice that used to make him break into a cold sweat when he was a kid.
“Accident on Fifth. I told you I’d be here.”
“Well, your father’s already in with the doctor. We’ll just have to wait until he calls us in.”
“That’s fine,” Tony said, taking a seat next to Theresa. She was wearing one of the dresses she reserved for church and important meetings. And she’d pinned up her salt-and-pepper hair, which, he knew, was her version of donning armor.
There were only two other people in the reception area, not including the women behind the desk. He opened his mouth, but before he said anything to his mother, he leaned forward to catch Dom’s eye. “What are you doing here?”
“What, I can’t be here when you are? I was worried about Pop, what do you think?”
“Yeah, okay.” Tony wasn’t about to engage in any of Dom’s bullshit. “It’s all going to be fine. We know that. This appointment is just a follow-up.”
“I know that,” his mother said, folding her arms over her black purse. The damn thing had been with her for so long he couldn’t remember a time before it. It always reminded him of an old-fashioned doctor’s bag. “I know a lot of things.”
Here it was. The real reason she was giving Tony the evil eye. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
His mother shrugged. God, she had that move down. It was okay, though. She was scared. She’d told him, when they were waiting for Joe to get out of surgery, that she felt guilty because she’d fed him terribly all those years. She should have given him plain food. Salads. More vegetables.
Tony let his anger drop like a used tissue. “Ma, just tell me what’s wrong.”
She turned to face him. “I have to hear from the neighbors you have a girlfriend? You can’t tell me these things?”
He felt the beginning of a cold sweat. He was going to kill his brother. He leaned back this time, willing Dom to look his way. When he did, his brother held up both hands, his eyes agape as he shook his head.
“What are you talking about?” Tony said, keeping his cool. “What girlfriend?”
“Connie Busto said you were walking around with a woman. Just walking around, holding a box of cannoli like you were going to a picnic. I heard the same thing when I stopped by to see Father Zavala this morning. At church, I hear from Maryanne Di Vitis that you were holding hands. Holding your girlfriend’s hand on a street where you kno
w everyone! And I have to look like a fool because I know none of this.”
“What...? She’s a client. And we were not holding hands. I was showing her some porches the company had remodeled. There’s no girlfriend. Holy Mother of God, this neighborhood is going to drive me insane. Why didn’t you ask me about it?”
“I just did.”
“Before you believed those vultures? All they care about is gossip. They’re worse than the tabloids, and you fall for it hook, line and sinker, every time.”
“I do not. When I heard that Dom told Felicia what’s-her-name that she should jump off a bridge, I said he wouldn’t say that. I know my boys.”
“When did that happen?” Dom asked.
Theresa waved his question away. “What difference does it make? The point is I knew better.”
“Ma—”
“Besides. Everyone said you were laughing. And happy.” She was still frowning and darting looks at the door to the exam rooms. “You get that happy with all your clients?”
“Everyone, huh?”
“Never you mind. I don’t remember you taking any other clients for strolls to show them porches.”
“Ma—”
“So, this client. What’s her name?”
Tony rubbed his eye. “Catherine Fox. Dad and I were talking about her restoration job the other day in the office.”
“See, I knew you were talking business.”
Tony just shook his head and sighed.
“You should bring her to dinner on Friday night.”
“What?”
“If there’s nothing for me to see, bring her. I’ll tell you then if there’s nothing to see.”
“There’s no way I’m bringing a client to dinner.”
“Aha!”
“No, Tony,” Dom said. “Mom’s got a point. Bring her. She’s new to the neighborhood, right? Maybe she wants to meet someone besides you and Sal.”
Tony closed his eyes, not believing the words he was hearing. Not Dom’s idiocy, because he was a complete jackass, but from his mother. Bring Catherine to a family dinner? Not a chance. God, he could just imagine the field day his family would have with her. Besides, it would send the wrong message. He wasn’t about to take her to meet the folks.
After just one of his family dinners, she’d regret ever moving to Little Italy. His parents would treat her reasonably well; that wasn’t what worried him. But Catherine would sure as hell find out what kind of neighbors she had. A bunch of gossips, especially the two old ladies on either side of her. There was nothing subtle about that pair. It wouldn’t surprise him at all if they’d been snubbing her. But if she heard something they’d said from his mom and grandmother, she’d move out of that house so fast, it wouldn’t be funny. At least she could flip it for a hell of a profit, but...
She’d also run from him. And he definitely didn’t want that. In fact, he’d been thinking about her so often, it was getting a little out of hand.
Maybe it would be a good thing, letting her see what she was in for. She’d hold her own. She wasn’t just beautiful; she had a striking presence, and she evidently read people as if they were open books.
But letting her see the truth could also break her heart.
No. He wasn’t going to ask her to dinner. Not now. Not ever. The arrangement they had was great. He had no desire to rock the boat.
When he opened his eyes again, he cut the whole conversation off. “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s a client. Listen. As long as Dom’s here, you gonna be okay if I take off? I’ve got work up to my eyeballs.”
“You’re leaving because maybe there is something between you and this client.”
“I’m leaving because I have work to do.” Tony kissed his mother’s cheek, flipped Dom off behind her back and left the office, which was four blocks away from the UN complex. As he walked down the staircase, he dialed Catherine, which might not have been the best idea, but he didn’t care.
“Tony.”
“Hey, Catherine,” he said. “I’m in the neighborhood. I know it’s not lunchtime or anything, but I was thinking about that tour you were talking about.”
“Now?”
“I knew it was a long shot. It’s okay—”
“No. Now is fine,” she said. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll meet you at the visitor center.”
9
CATHERINE’S HEART STARTED beating more quickly as she caught sight of Tony at the entrance. He’d already been through Security, so that made things simpler, and she knew just where she was going to take him. Nowhere out-of-bounds, of course. But he’d get a kick out of seeing the lobby of the General Assembly Building even if he couldn’t see the hall. If there was time, she’d take him to the Secretariat Building, where her office was located, but that wasn’t as impressive.
His smile, when he saw her, sent a shiver through her. Unfortunately, she’d have to keep her distance while he was here. Something she wished she’d thought of before seeing him in person, looking unforgivably hot in a sea-foam-green shirt that brought out the gold flecks in his eyes.
“Hey,” he said, still smiling as they met in the middle of the busy floor.
Catherine held out her hand, and of course, he met the challenge flawlessly.
“Thank you for making time for me today,” he said. “I don’t want to steal you away from work, though.”
“You aren’t. But it can’t be a full tour. Not this time. This is the best building to see, though, anyway.”
He looked around, his gaze stopping for a moment on the soaring glass wall split into strips by gold pillars. Then, naturally, he looked up at a hanging artifact. “Is that...?”
“Sputnik. Well, a model of it. It goes with the rest of the fifties decor.”
“I thought I was getting a Mad Men vibe.”
“Follow me,” she said, finding it difficult to blot out the image of him naked from her mind. The way his black trousers fit so perfectly made her want to slow down and walk behind him so she could enjoy the view. Lord help her, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. “I’ll let you peek into the delegates’ lounge. You’ll love it. They refurbished everything—the chairs, the couches, the carpet. It’s wonderful. I love to walk around the complex when I can, just enjoying the different buildings, with their international designs. We’ve got everything here. You could spend a whole week just checking out the amazing spaces without even setting foot inside the General Assembly Hall.”
“You’ll let me know when you have a free week?”
She laughed. “Come on.”
“I probably should be better dressed. All these men are in suits and ties.”
“You’re fine. Better than fine. I’m a big fan of vintage shirts, especially in that shade of green.”
“Thanks. Not that I’d admit this to just anyone, but I’m a big fan of the feel of silk.”
“It’s sinfully soft.”
“So are you.”
She blushed. But kept her tour-guide face on. She walked him around the sculptures and pictures that were liberally placed throughout the lobby. It was clear he found all of it as fascinating as she did.
Eventually, they made their way to the delegates’ lounge, which wasn’t a stop on any official tour. She wasn’t even supposed to be in there, not without an invitation. She hoped she wouldn’t run into her boss.
The coast was clear. After she’d finished pointing out the finer points of the restoration, she told Tony about her impromptu translation session between Mrs. Adolphi and the Russian designer.
“That’s a real gift you have,” he said. “Though I don’t know if you speaking fluent Italian is going to do you any favors in the neighborhood.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it depends on how thick your skin
is, but sometimes it’s better not to know what people are saying.”
“I real—” Catherine spotted Victor and grabbed Tony’s hand. She led him very quickly around the closest corner.
Tony glanced at their joined hands and she released him as if he’d scorched her. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing. I just saw someone I didn’t want to talk to.”
“A coworker?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
Tony leaned in close to her and lowered his voice. “I don’t need to read people as well as you to know you’re uncomfortable. I can leave right now, no problem.”
“No. I mean, well, that would probably be best. Let’s just make our way back to the visitors’ entrance.”
“Won’t that be taking a chance you’ll run into that person again?”
“I don’t think so. Come on,” she said, no longer holding his hand, but wishing she was. “I had lunch with him this afternoon and he asked me to go with him to a World Health Organization banquet. I know that he was honestly asking me for a date, and I don’t want to change our relationship, so I sort of lied and told him I was going with someone else.”
“Wait—is he the French guy?” Tony asked with a knowing smile. “Victor?”
She nodded. “How did you know?”
“I met him the other day, remember?”
“Oh, right.” She shook her head. She’d forgotten all about Victor the moment she’d seen Tony. “I told him I was seeing someone. All I honestly wanted was for him to think I’m off the market. So don’t worry. It has nothing to do with you.”
Tony gave her a half grin that made her feel better instantly. “Let me tell you a little story,” he said, and proceeded to recount his experience at the doctor’s office as they walked to the elevator.
“Dom. That’s his name. I keep forgetting that. You really believe he didn’t tell your mom about us?”