Where the Light Glows

by Dena Blake

  “I thought she always went to the market before you opened.” She pulled open the Sub-Zero, and it was full.

  “Don’t know, sweetheart. She must’ve forgotten something.” He peeked over her shoulder into the refrigerator. “I’m just telling you what she told me.”

  She started back into the dining room, then stopped and turned. “Tony, will you tell me about Dana?”

  “How do you know about her?”

  “We ran into her at the beach the other day.”

  He shook his head slowly. “That one is pure trouble.”

  “Were they together for a long time?”

  He scrunched his face up and squinted at the ceiling. “About six years on and off.”

  “Six years.” She snapped her gaze back to Tony.

  “Maybe I should let Izzy tell you.” He gave her a wary look, seeming to realize she really didn’t know the whole story.

  She blew out a short breath. “She told me what happened, Tony.”

  “Dana, that—” Tony took a sauté pan from the stack and slapped it to the stove. “She won’t leave her alone.”

  “What do you mean on and off? Weren’t they exclusive?”

  “That would depend on which one of them you asked.”

  “Oh, I see. Do you think Izzy’s done with her?”

  “I hope so. She doesn’t care about anyone but herself.”

  “Thanks, Tony.” Mel’s voice weakened as she started out of the kitchen.

  “What do you want to eat?”

  “Oh, just give us a couple orders of linguine Bolognese with house salads.” She pushed back through the swinging door.

  Nancy’s eyes were fixed on her as she crossed the restaurant. “What’s the special?”

  “Izzy’s not here.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Tony said she’s at the market.”

  “She’ll probably be back before we leave.”

  “If not, we can go find her.”

  “Listen, Mel. Apologizing to Izzy at her restaurant is one thing, but don’t you think hunting her down at the market might be a little awkward?”

  “Oh, yeah. I guess that would be kind of weird.”

  “What’s the special?”

  “They have a daily special, pasta with soup or salad. I ordered the Bolognese for you.”

  “Oh…okay.”

  “You liked it last time, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, but I’d like to try something else on the menu sometime.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll let you decide next time. You’re getting a house salad also, by the way.” Mel stretched her lips wide, giving Nancy a toothy grin.

  *

  “What are you doing out here?” Izzy jumped at the sound of Angie’s voice behind her. She let go of the restaurant back door and threw herself against the cold metal as it closed.

  “Mel Thomas is in the kitchen with Tony.”

  “Umm…why don’t you want to see her all of a sudden? I thought you guys were—”

  “We’re not. She’s married, and I don’t want to get in the middle of it.”

  “She was married last weekend when you took her home, wasn’t she?”

  Izzy blew out a heavy breath. “I know, Angie. That was a mistake.” A huge mistake.

  “I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. That woman’s a little whacky anyway, if you ask me.”

  “Just let me know if she’s gone, okay, Angie?” Izzy hid behind the door as she pulled it open.

  “She’s not in the kitchen.”

  Izzy slipped around the door and followed Angie inside.

  Tony shot Angie a look. “Where the hell have you been? I’ve got two house salads and a bruschetta that need to go out.”

  Angie waved him off as she picked up the salads and took them through the kitchen door. Tony waited until Angie went into the dining room before turning back to Izzy. “What the hell was that all about?”

  “I’m sorry, Tony. I just need to stay away from her for a while.”

  “I told you she was trouble.”

  Izzy slipped around and peeked out the door behind the bar. Mel was dressed in a charcoal pantsuit with a black shell underneath. Her hair was twisted into some kind of knot behind her head, revealing the length of her neck. God, she’s beautiful. She let the door close, then slid up against the wall next to it and shut her eyes. Tony was right on point with that one. Izzy could see herself falling hard for Mel Thomas.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Mel knocked lightly and then pushed through the door. “I brought crab salad for lunch.”

  “That sounds wonderful, dear.” Bella took the salad from Mel and spooned it on top of the lettuce beds she arranged on the plates.

  “Not too much for me. I had a late breakfast.” Mel had forgotten about her lunch date with Bella until the reminder had popped up on her phone. She’d dropped Nancy back at the office and had just enough time to run by the house and pick up the crab salad.

  Bella set a plate on each of the three placemats, then stepped to the hall doorway and shouted. “Benny, lunch is ready.”

  Benito’s voice resonated as he came through the doorway. “This is a nice surprise. I didn’t know we had company.” He pulled out Bella’s chair for her and took the seat across the table. “Mmm, crab salad. Did you make it?”

  “Mary Elizabeth brought it.”

  “It looks delicious.”

  “Thank you. I picked it up at the wharf yesterday.” Her day with Izzy flashed through her mind, and she smiled.

  Benito dug into his food, eating two helpings of crab salad before dousing the remaining lettuce with bleu cheese dressing.

  “You look tired. Have you been working too much?” Bella asked between bites.

  “I’ve been putting in a lot of extra hours lately to stay on schedule.”

  “Your parents must be very proud of you.”

  “My mother is very supportive, but my father always seems to want more.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “No matter what I’ve accomplished, my father has a way of making me feel like I could’ve done better.” The salad was wonderful, but suddenly her previous lunch began to rumble in her stomach. She took a gulp of lemonade.

  Benito raised a brow. “Sounds like he has very high standards.” He crunched the iceberg lettuce loudly as he chewed.

  She nodded. “Unreachable.”

  “Have you ever told your father how it makes you feel when he dismisses your accomplishments?”

  She set her fork down and gave Benito her attention. “No. I’ve always thought he’d think I was whining.”

  “You seem to have your life together.”

  “I thought I did until recently.”

  “Your business is successful, eh?”

  “Yes. That’s one thing going well right now.”

  Bella patted her hand and got up.

  “You’ve certainly got no reason to be ashamed,” Benito said. “I’d be proud to have you as one of my daughters. You should talk to him.”

  “Are we playing do as I say, not as I do today?” Bella talked into the refrigerator as she reached inside to get the pitcher of lemonade.

  “What do you mean?” Benito’s voice rose just a tad.

  “You just told her a father should listen to his daughter. Maybe you should take your own advice. You are proud of your daughters, aren’t you?”

  “Bella. You know I am. Izzy has accomplished more with the restaurant than I ever did. She cooks, handles the ordering, and does the books. Angie hasn’t quite found her path yet, but she’s in school, and I know she will soon.”

  “Have you told them how you feel?” Mel asked, concerned. Izzy hadn’t mentioned any tension between her and her father.

  He pushed back in his chair and got up. “Sometimes we fathers don’t articulate what we’re feeling very well. You should talk to your father. He may surprise you.”

  She gave him a soft smile, thinking how nice it would be to
have her father behind her. “How about we make a deal? I’ll talk to my father, if you’ll talk to your daughters.”

  Bella set the lemonade on the table and wrapped an arm around Benito’s waist. “That’s a fine idea. It’s about time you loosened those principles of yours and made peace with Izzy.”

  Benito narrowed his eyes. “Bella, don’t push me.”

  “No matter what kind of life she chooses for herself, she’s still your daughter.” She veered her gaze from Benito to Mel. “Don’t you agree, Mary Elizabeth?”

  She nodded. “A daughter always needs the love and support of her daddy.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Benito grunted and went back down the hallway. “The Giants are up by three. You wanna come watch?” he said, turning back momentarily.

  “Can’t today. I have to get back to work.” Mel helped clear the dishes and kissed Bella on the cheek. “Can we get together again soon?”

  “Anytime, dear.” Bella followed her to the door. “Let me know how it works out with your father.”

  *

  The lunch crowd had been thick today, but Izzy finally slipped out to take her mother some food. As she made the short drive, she ran through the weekend in her head and kept returning to the kiss on the beach—hot, wet, soft, and completely unexpected. Izzy had been imagining it for weeks. Seeing Mel earlier today only made her want her more. It was going to be difficult to stay away if she came back to the restaurant.

  Her mother met her at the door as she came in.

  “I brought you some lunch.”

  “We already had lunch, dear.”

  Her dad bustled through the room to the refrigerator. “It’s almost four,” he grumbled as he swung the door open and took out a soda. “Too late for lunch.”

  “Well, then this can be dinner.”

  He peeked into the bag and then up at Izzy. “Smells good.” He headed back into the den, where Izzy could hear the TV blaring.

  “What was that?” She stood stunned.

  “What was what, dear?”

  “He talked to me. He never talks to me.” She stared down the hallway toward the den.

  “Oh, yes, he does.”

  “Not voluntarily.”

  “Then I guess that’s progress, isn’t it?”

  “Yes…yes it is.” Izzy smiled. He’d even said thanks. She had no idea what had made him end his silence, but she was happy he had. “So, what did you have for lunch?”

  “A nice crab salad.”

  “Oh, yeah? Where’d you get the crab?”

  “Mary Elizabeth brought it by.”

  “Did she make it?”

  “Yes, and it was delicious. I’ve never seen your father eat so much.”

  “Huh,” she said thoughtfully. “Pop ate a salad for lunch?” Something was definitely going on. Her father had always required something much more filling for lunch in the past.

  “Yes. He and Mary Elizabeth sat and talked for a long while today.”

  “Really? About what?”

  “Sports, computers, cars. You.”

  “Me?”

  “She’s a very insightful young lady.” She glanced down the hall. “She’s had some issues with her father in the past. I think she’s made him realize what he’s missing by choosing not to be a part of your life.”

  Izzy sank down into the chair at the kitchen table. “I guess I really am going to have to meet this girl.”

  “I wish you would. I think she’s a little lonely.”

  “I don’t know if I’d be good for her, Momma.”

  “She’s like you in a way.” She tilted her head. “She hasn’t been able to find the kind of love she needs to make her happy.”

  Izzy grinned. “I hope you haven’t been giving her advice. A lot of things have changed since you and Dad met.”

  “I told her to find where the light glows.”

  “I wish it was that easy.”

  “It is if you look into the right heart.”

  Izzy smiled at her mother’s optimism. It actually gave her hope that someday she would find the woman who would hold her heart.

  *

  Jack came strolling into Mel’s office with the receptionist protesting as she trailed behind him. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Thomas. He didn’t give me a chance to let you know.”

  “It’s okay, Jenny.”

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “A cup of coffee would be nice.” Jack flashed Jenny the boyish smile Mel had seen him use too many times.

  Mel nodded to her assistant as she got up and closed the door. “Again, a call would be nice.”

  “But I like surprising you.”

  “You mean keeping me off guard, don’t you?”

  He shot her the usual charismatic smile as he sat down in one of the club chairs in the corner of the office. Keeping her distance, Mel sat back down behind her desk.

  “Listen, Mel. I’m sorry about the other night.”

  “Don’t be. You’re right. I do have a hard time being intimate with you.” She threw the jab at him, even though she wanted out of the relationship. “The thought of coming down with some disease is pretty off-putting.”

  “Really, Mel. Is this the way you want to do this?”

  “What do you want from me, Jack?”

  “I want half.”

  “Half of what? The condo?”

  “Half of everything.”

  “You have got to be kidding. You put absolutely nothing into my company.”

  Jenny came back through the door with a cup of coffee and handed it to Jack.

  “Thank you, darlin’,” he said in a sugary-sweet tone and winked at her.

  Watching him in action made Mel’s stomach turn. “Seriously, Jack?”

  “I was there, supporting you while you created it. My attorney says that’s all it takes.” His voice was still low and sweet.

  “You are a bastard, Jack.”

  “Yes, but you’ve known that for a long time.” The smile never left his face.

  “I can’t give you that, Jack, and you know it.”

  His grin vanished as he leaned forward. “There is one solution. All you have to do is give me the 401k.”

  She blew out a short breath. “You expect me to pay for your infidelity.”

  “I’m pretty sure we’ve both been unfaithful in this relationship.”

  “I’ve never slept with anyone else. You, on the contrary, have slept with many.”

  “You may not have done it yet, but you want to.”

  “What do you expect, Jack? I’ve been sleeping alone for years.”

  “Oh, come on now. Don’t put that all on me. You never really were very responsive.”

  “Did you ever think it might take a little more than wham, bam, thank you, ma’am to get me going?” It was always all about him, the narcissistic prick.

  He chuckled. “No, not really.” He got up from the chair. “Anyway, if you agree, you can be free to see that little chef of yours. If not, it will take a lot more time and cost a lot more money. I promise.” He took a last swig of his coffee and set it on the table. “You have my number. Think about it and let me know.” He winked at her as he pulled the door open and strolled out of her office.

  Mel had no choice now. She closed the door and picked up the phone.

  *

  The scent of burning pinion wood filled Mel’s head. The brisk temperatures of fall that had swept in with full force. Leaves blanketed yards with vibrant changing colors, signaling the death of summer. Neighborhoods were scattered with tall, green pine trees, some with brown needles that wouldn’t see another spring.

  Mel had made several trips to the townhouse to pick up her warmer wardrobe to help combat the chill in the air and had arranged to put the home on the market. In the meantime, she’d settled in quite easily living with Nancy. After a week of unfulfilled temptation sleeping in the same bed, Nancy had finally cleaned the clothes from the one in her spare room. Jack couldn’t get anything on her now, b
ecause, although she’d thought about it many times, she hadn’t seen or talked to Izzy in weeks. She knew he wouldn’t give up his bread and butter so easily, and recently he’d been exceptionally nice. She got the impression he was trying to woo her back, but she knew him too well and wasn’t having any part of it.

  She and Nancy were getting along well, living in the same space but, as Nancy put it, living as friends without benefits. Nancy had spent several nights out but hadn’t mentioned Ann or anyone else. Mel knew she was in the way. She’d kept her mind occupied during the day with work, but at night, when she was alone in bed, her thoughts always made their way back to Izzy.

  Mel and Nancy were leaving on a week-long trip to LA next week, so maybe a little more distance would make the interminable feelings for Izzy fade a bit. She doubted it, but seeing her in her dreams every night and not telling her how she felt were getting more difficult every day.

  “So, how was your day?” Nancy broke the train of thoughts clouding Mel’s mind.

  Mel got a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water before leaning back against the counter. “Jack came by to see me today while you were at lunch.”

  “What’s going on, Mel?” It was clear Nancy could sense her resolve weakening.

  “He says he wants to talk about things.”

  “You’re not falling for that, are you? What about reporter girl?”

  “I don’t know.” She rubbed her forehead. “He wants to discuss things over dinner tonight.”

  “You can’t be considering going back to him after everything he’s put you through. You don’t love him.”

  “Of course I love him.”

  “You don’t love him.” She let the words tumble out slowly. “Not the way you should.”

  “What difference does that make?” Nancy was right.

  Nancy pulled her brows together. “Really? Do we have to go over this again?”

  Mel shook her head and avoided eye contact.

  “Jesus Christ, Mel. I’m having a hard enough time letting you go for another woman. I’m certainly not going to sit around and watch you go back to him.” Nancy grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the kitchen. “You need to go see Izzy. Remind yourself of what you want.”