“Professor Di Roma’s office.”
“Hey, there,” Nico’s familiar voice comes through the line. “How are you today?”
“Hi! I’m fine, thank you. How are you?”
“Good, except I was out with this great girl and completely forgot to get her number.”
I giggle, catching the professor’s attention. “I can help you with that.”
“I wish you would.”
“It’s 617.555.1212.”
“Great. Expect that I will use it.”
“I hope you will.”
“Is my cranky brother in?”
“Yes, would you like to speak to him?”
“Nope. I’ll stop by later. Don’t tell him.”
“Um, okay.”
“Promise?” His voice is so sexy it unnerves me.
“Yes.”
“See you later, CC.”
“CC?”
“Charming creature. Bye.”
He disconnects the call, leaving me reeling. I look up to find the professor staring at me.
“Who was that?”
Shit. I didn’t plan for this. The truth is the best option. He only said I couldn’t say he was coming by. “Nico.”
“My brother?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you sound so friendly?”
I can tell from his tone, that this new development is not going to be well received. “I bumped into him last week and we grabbed a bite to eat.”
“Bumped into him? Where?”
“Near my house.”
“And where do you live?”
“Near Boston Common.”
The professor narrows his eyes. “He didn’t want to speak to me?”
“No.”
“He just called for you?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I think so, yes.”
The professor stands and turns his back to me, staring out the window into the courtyard. I can’t tell what he’s thinking at all, but I am positive the conversation is not over.
I sit motionless for several minutes, waiting nervously for his response. Finally, he turns around. Tension creases his face, making him appear angry and very, very intimidating.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“It didn’t seem important.”
His frown deepens as he continues. “Is your intention to date my brother?”
“I don’t know. We just had a bite together. That’s all.”
“He plans to see you again, no?”
“He may. I’m not sure.”
“I forbid you to be romantically involved with him. It is unacceptable.”
I don’t even bother to hide my shock. “I don’t think you can say that to me. What I do away from here is not in your jurisdiction.”
“He is my brother. That makes it my jurisdiction, as you say.”
“No one said anything about romance, anyway. We are just friends.”
“Based on your ridiculous giggling, I would venture you are interested in more than just friendship.”
Ooh! How dare he! “Are you suggesting I tell your brother I can’t be friends with him?”
“I’m not suggesting anything. I am telling you that you will not be involved with him on any level. Is that clear?”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m speaking very clear English. Would you like me to switch to one of the many other languages you speak?”
“Well, now you are just being rude.”
“You are being rude! If we are to have a productive working relationship, you will respect my wishes. This conversation is over.”
I start to speak again when there is a knock at the door. I freeze, praying it isn’t Nico. Please, not now. Professor Di Roma swings the door open, and there stands Ella with a look of surprise on her face.
“Hey, Londyn. Sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to see if you had lunch plans today.”
“No, I do not.”
“Want to go out? There’s a great Chinese food stand nearby.”
“Sounds great. What time?”
“Eleven?”
I turn and look at the professor, who is clearly fuming. “Professor, is that time still okay for me to go to lunch?”
He looks at me with pure contempt in his eyes. “Do whatever you like, Miss Harper.”
I sigh and give an apologetic look to Ella. “I’ll meet you in the hallway at eleven,” I say quietly.
She nods and walks away. I sit back in my seat and attempt to work again, knowing the professor is seething nearby. I had no idea he would be that angry. Clearly, there is more tension between the brothers than I knew.
The next two hours crawl by. I jump every time I hear footsteps approaching the door, afraid Nico will appear at any moment. When he finally does, I know it won’t go well. I just can’t bring myself to warn the professor.
At eleven, I pick up my handbag and walk towards the door. The professor continues to ignore me, but I try anyway. “Can I bring something back for you?”
“Respect,” he says without looking up at all. His voice is cold and mean.
Sighing, I walk out and wait for my new friend to appear. When she sees me, she whispers, “Gee, what’s up with Professor Pissy Pants today? I thought you said it was going well.”
I laugh at the amusing but fitting nickname. “I upset him this morning.”
“First time? I hope he doesn’t fire you.”
“I don’t think he will.”
“Are you going to quit?”
“No. I can handle him. We just need to get to know one another better and understand each other’s boundaries.”
“I just hope he doesn’t make you cry. I hear he makes everyone cry.”
“I refuse to cry. At least in front of him.”
“Good girl. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
“Me, too.”
I AM SO PISSED I can barely think straight! There is no doubt in my mind that Nico knows what he is doing messing with this girl. Ran into her! Impossible, since he lives nowhere near The Common. I wring my hands together. I know I will have to confront him about this and just when I thought we might be able to salvage something. He is using this girl to get to me. I know he is.
Standing up, I pace my office. I lost my temper in front of Londyn. But she has no idea what a sticking point this is for me. She simply cannot be friends with Nico and she most certainly cannot date him. She has this way about her. Before anyone knows it, he’ll open up and tell her about the accident. Then she’ll see me for the monster that I am.
I pick up my phone to dial Nico. It rings several times then goes to voicemail. Fuck! I dial again with the same outcome. A knock on my door causes me to swing around. When I open it, I’m surprised to see my brother standing there with a vase full of flowers in his hand.
“What are you doing here?” I demand.
“Stopping by. Where’s Londyn?”
“What does it matter? What the hell are you up to?”
“What do you mean? I’m just giving the girl some flowers. Is that a crime?”
“Why, Nico? Why her?”
“Why not her? She seems cool.”
“She is my assistant!”
“So.”
“So? I know what you’re up to. You are using her and you need to knock it off before you hurt that girl. She doesn’t deserve to be drug into the middle of this.”
“Middle of what? Why are you so angry? I had a nice dinner with her.”
“Leave it alone, Nico.”
“I think she’s cute.”
“What were you even doing in that area?”
“Finishing a job. I bumped into her and took her out to eat. Big fucking deal.”
“It is a big fucking deal. Why did you lie to her and say you lived in the neighborhood?”
Nico shrugs and sets the flowers down on Londyn’s desk. “Seemed easier.”
“Easier than what?”
“Geez, Luca. You are really losing it for n
o reason.”
“I have my reasons and you know what they are! Walk away, Nico.”
“No. I don’t want to and you don’t control me.”
“This doesn’t work for me.”
“You’ll deal with it.”
“Goddammit, Nico.” I’m fuming, trying to think of something else to say. “Can’t you just let me have…?” I stop speaking when I see Londyn walk back in the room. Shit.
WALKING BACK FROM LUNCH, I hear men’s voices coming from the professor’s office and freeze. Nico is here. I can’t decide if I want to turn back or go in and face the wrath of the professor. I decide to walk in. It’s my office, too. For now.
As I enter the room, both men stop talking and stare at me. On my tiny desk, is a glass vase filled with a bouquet of very pretty flowers. Nico smiles, but the professor’s scowl turns my blood cold. Anger is not a strong enough word to describe what is pouring out him. I can’t believe a simple dinner is causing this much chaos.
“Londyn, if you’ll excuse us. We are not done talking,” Professor Di Roma says. I notice how strained his voice is.
“Okay.” I turn to leave, but Nico grabs my arm, stopping me.
“Why does she need to leave? It concerns her.” He turns to me. “Are you going to let this tyrant dictate what you can do in your personal life?”
“I, um…”
“Tyrant? This is my work. She is my assistant. Doesn’t anyone else here see the conflict of interest? Women are a dime a dozen to you, Nico. Pick a different one!” Luca yells.
A dime a dozen? I don’t think I like the sound of that. I desperately want to leave the room, but Nico keeps his hand on my arm.
“I don’t want to pick a different one. I like her. She likes me, too. Right, Londyn?”
Both men look at me and I am speechless. I have no desire to be in the middle of this argument and I’m smart enough to know this is much deeper than Nico’s potential interest in me.
“I…um,” I stall.
“How can you like her? You met her for five minutes then ate dinner!” The professor continues, “I won’t have you do what you always do. In a week you’ll bed this girl, dump her, and she’ll be a crying, worthless mess to me waiting for you to call and salvage her remaining dignity. I’ll be the one who has to clean it all up.”
Luca’s words sting. I look up at Nico, whose face is red with anger.
“Why do you have to say shit like that, Luca?”
“Because it’s fucking true. You know it. I know it. The only one who doesn’t know it is this poor girl you’ve set your sights on. For what reason, only you know.”
I pull my arm away from Nico. Regardless of what the problem is with these two, I don’t deserve to stand here being insulted.
“Don’t listen to him, Londyn,” Nico says.
“I’m not listening to either one of you.” I walk to my desk and get my messenger bag, putting my things in it. “To be clear, Professor, I believe I’ll salvage my own dignity.” I shut down my computer whilst both men stand staring at me. “This poor girl has had enough insults for one day.”
“Londyn, don’t leave,” Nico says.
I ignore him and walk out the door. I don’t care if I just lost my job. The professor went too far. Holding back my tears, I hear the men’s voices rise again as they continue fighting. I walk as fast as I can to the T stop and hop on the first train I see. I don’t even know where it’s going, but it’s away from here. Once on the train, tears of humiliation run down my cheeks.
“THAT’S FUCKING PERFECT. You made her leave, Nico!”
“You made her leave! You’re an ass. Why did you have to say that shit in front of her?”
“She needs to know what kind of man you are. You’ve got her all charmed, but we both know how you go through women.”
“It’s none of your business what I do with Londyn or anyone else for that matter. Why do you even care?”
“Because she is mine.”
“She isn’t yours. Just because she works for you doesn’t give you the right to dictate who she sees, even if it is me. This isn’t even about her. You just can’t stand to see me happy and enjoying someone. Everybody has to be as miserable as you are for you to be able to sleep at night.”
“That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it?”
“No. I want you to be happy. I just don’t want it to be with her.”
“The way you talk you want her for yourself. Is that it? You like her?”
“No, I don’t like her!” I run my fingers through my hair. “Not in that way. I like her work and I want her to stay. I don’t want things getting weird between us because of any relationship she has with you. Is that too much to ask?”
“Yeah, it is. I think you’ve asked enough of me over the years.”
His words stab my heart as painfully as a dagger would. “I’ve asked nothing of you. It was offered to me, if I recall.”
“And all I want in return is your love and affection and you can’t give me that. At least I got your attention.”
“Don’t use her to get to me. Please.”
“Who says I am?”
“You just said it yourself.”
“Those were your words.”
“What do you want from me, Nico?”
“You already know.”
I sigh as Nico walks out. This incident drove an even bigger wedge between us and now I’ve pushed Londyn away as a result. What am I going to do? Grabbing the card on the flowers, I read Nico’s words. He calls her charming creature and it pisses me off even more. I pick up the vase of flowers and stomp to the break room then dump them in the sink. Ella appears in the doorway and watches me in shock as I shred each bloom with my hands then toss the remnants in the trash. I ignore her and walk back to my office. Sitting in my chair, I stare into the courtyard, wondering how to get Londyn back. I really fucked up. I made it personal.
As much as I hate to admit it, I know what I need to do. Swallow my pride and apologize.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HOME?” Madeleine asks before she sees my tear stained cheeks. “What happened to you?”
“The professor happened.”
“What did he do to you?”
“He insulted me. Repeatedly. Apparently, he is not okay with me seeing his brother.” I cry as I speak. “He’s so mean, Maddie.”
Madeleine pulls me into her arms and hugs me tight. “He doesn’t deserve you. Did you quit?”
“I don’t know. I walked out. I probably quit. Besides, I don’t know if I could stand to face him again anyway after what he said.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he had no idea why Nico would be interested in me. I know I’m no beauty queen, and granted I don’t know why Nico is interested in me, either, but it was still a terribly mean thing to say aloud.”
“Londyn, you are a beautiful girl. I don’t know why you don’t think so. Just because you don’t wear a lot of makeup or showy clothes, doesn’t make you ugly. The professor has an ugly heart. He can’t see beauty in anything, I bet.”
“Maybe.” I sniff and wipe my nose with the back of my hand. “He’s an arse.”
“He is! How about some ice cream? That always helps.”
I laugh through my tears. “Yeah. I’ll have some.”
Madeleine heads to the kitchen and brings back a bowl of my favorite vanilla gelato. I curl up on the sofa with her and we watch a bit of telly. I have no idea what I’m to do now. Do I even have a job anymore? Do I want it? I’m not some toy to be tossed about between two rowing brothers. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.
“I have to get ready for my date tonight. You okay to be alone?” Madeleine asks.
“I’m fine. Have fun tonight.”
“Thanks! I’m going out with one of the chaps I met at Harvard. Joey is his name.”
“I’m just going to finish this show then turn in early. It’s been an exhausting day. I’m knackered.”
“Yeah,
just rest. Everything will be better in the morning.”
I’m glad she thinks so, but I’m not so sure. Thirty minutes later, Madeleine appears again, her hair teased and curled, full makeup, and a tight red dress. I watch her slide her feet into black, stiletto pumps. She looks great and only slightly trashy.
She kisses my cheek then opens the door—and standing there is Professor Di Roma, his hand poised to knock.
“What are you doing here?” Madeleine demands. I sit behind her in utter shock.
“May I speak with Londyn?”
“She doesn’t want to speak to you.”
“I imagine she doesn’t. Could you ask? I owe her an apology.”
I sit stunned on the sofa listening to the whole thing. He wants to apologize to me? I stand up and walk towards the door. “I’ll speak to him, Madeleine. Go on. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” She eyes Luca suspiciously.
“I’m sure. See you later.”
Madeleine leaves and the professor and I stand awkwardly in the doorway.
“May I come in?” he asks.
“I suppose.” I move aside and let him pass.
“I hope you don’t mind that I looked in your personnel file to find your address.”
“Why are you here?”
The professor looks around my flat. “This is a very nice place. How do you afford it on your salary?”
“That is none of your business.” I cross my arms over my chest. “You didn’t answer me.”
“I’m here to apologize, Miss Harper. I let my emotions with my brother get the best of me. I was out of line.”
“For which part? When you forbade me to do as I please in my own personal life? Or when you insulted me by stating there is no reason your brother would be interested in me? Or perhaps it was when you assumed I am some cheap whore who drops her knickers for every attractive boy she meets.”
“For all of those things. I assure you my insults were aimed at Nico and not you.”
“Not from where I was standing.”
“I don’t expect you to make this easy on me.”
“Good. I don’t plan to.”
We stand staring at each other for a few tense moments. The professor breaks the silence.
Londyn Falls Page 11