Healing Hearts

by Syndi Powell

  Mateo’s gaze searched her eyes. “Ready to start again?”

  “You bet.” He nudged her backward again. This time, she stayed steady on her feet, switched off her brain for a few seconds while she followed his moves. Mateo grinned. “Now, I’m going to spin you. Ready?”

  He held their hands up high, and she spun around under them. When she turned back to face him, she laughed. “I’m dancing.”

  He returned her smile. “Yes, you are.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “Okay, now let’s try a different step.”

  They started as they had before. Back, forward, then he put his arm around her shoulders and they danced side by side rather than facing each other. He spun her into their original position and started the sequence again. April whipped her head back on one of the turns and lost her footing again. Mateo caught her before she could hit the floor. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. You’re doing really well for your first time salsa dancing.”

  The song ended, and they headed to their table. April sipped her margarita and watched as other dancers filled the dance floor. The way they moved effortlessly and in sync amazed her. Even if she took dance lessons for six months, she doubted she could move as easily as the women dancing. She might dance better than tonight, but she’d still struggle with turning off her brain and letting her body take over.

  She found Mateo watching her. “You look lost in thought,” he said.

  Story of her life. “Sherri said you’re helping her and Dez finalize Marcus’s adoption.” The couple had planned on being his foster parents, but had recently taken steps to legally make him a part of their new family. “She’s so happy.”

  “She deserves to be after all that she’s going through.” He watched her over the top of his beer glass. “And how are you feeling?”

  Sherri had told him about her cancer? “Real good.” She sipped her drink, then motioned with her head to the dance floor. “Want to give it another try?”

  “Okay, okay.” He drained his beer, put his arm around her waist and led her to the dance floor.

  After three songs, April’s heart pounded, and a fine sweat had formed along her hairline. She let go of Mateo’s hand and fanned herself as the song changed to something slower. He raised an eyebrow at her. While she longed to sit, her body had something different in mind and she took his outstretched hand in hers.

  They danced, their bodies close. Touching, then he nudged her away and spun her around and brought her close to him again. It felt like a tug-of-war between the two of them, but one that Mateo controlled the entire song. The intimacy of the dance should have made her feel a stirring of emotion for the man holding her close, but she felt nothing. Friendship sure, but not that pull of attraction. At the end of the song, she returned to the table. Mateo left her to get glasses of water. She ran her hands through her curls in an attempt to cool herself. A guy in a suit stopped beside her. “Dr. Sprader, you looked good out there.”

  She looked up and recognized that sports agent. “Mr. Harrison. I’m surprised to see you here.”

  * * *

  ZACH HAD BEEN surprised to see April on the dance floor, and with a boyfriend, no less. He tried to ignore the hollow feeling in his chest at that thought and pointed at a corner where a hot new talent on the baseball circuit sat with his girlfriend. “I brought a potential client tonight.”

  She glanced in the direction he’d indicated and frowned. “You dumped Antonio already?”

  “I have more than one client. Just like you see more than one patient.” He tried not to let her comment hit him hard, but it was too late. He got tired of being accused of having divided loyalties when he had to work for more than one client at a time. He needed to provide for his family, after all. And that didn’t come cheap. He looked toward the bar where her date had disappeared. “You and your boyfriend dance really well together.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend.” She fidgeted with her purse, snapping it open and shut. “Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s our first date.”

  “Really? Based on how you were dancing, I’d figured you knew each other pretty well.” He’d been impressed by how at ease she seemed after a few songs. They’d moved so naturally together that he assumed they were a couple.

  A fast-tempo song started, and she stared out at the dance floor with a look on her face that made him wish he knew how to salsa. He wondered what it would be like to hold her in his arms and turn her around the room. Not that he had time for such frivolities as dancing. He needed to focus on his business.

  Someone appeared next to him, and he turned to find her date standing there with two glasses of ice water. He handed her one, put the other on the table and offered his hand to Zach. “Thanks for keeping her company. You a friend of April’s?”

  She scoffed at this, and he shook his head. “No. She took care of one of my clients.” He accepted the date’s hand. “You’re a great dancer.”

  The guy gave a cockeyed grin. “My mother taught me when I was young.”

  “And he’s a wonderful teacher, too.” April put a hand on the date’s arm and peered at Zach. “You don’t want to leave your client alone too long.”

  Dismissed so quickly. Zach smiled. “You’re right. I’m here for work, not for pleasure.” He glanced at her again. “Good to see you, Dr. Sprader.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Harrison.” She took a sip of her water. “Want to go back out there for the next dance?”

  The date looked between them and gave a slow nod. “Sure. Whatever you want.”

  Zach shook the date’s hand again and walked to the corner table. He took a seat next to his client, Chris Ramos. “Did you two discuss my proposal?”

  Ramos put an arm across his girlfriend’s shoulders. “Mr. Harrison, you’ve given us a lot to think about, but I’d like to get to know you a little more before I sign my life over to you.”

  “I can guarantee you that my terms are more than fair.”

  Ramos held up a hand. “Why don’t we enjoy the music and dancing? There will be time for negotiating later.”

  Problem was Zach didn’t know how to enjoy much beyond working and closing the deal. Just ask his ex-wife. “Of course.”

  The song changed and Ramos leaned over to his girlfriend to whisper in her ear. She nodded, and they left the table to join the dancers on the floor. Zach searched the crowd and found Dr. Sprader with her date. She looked fantastic in that soft orange dress and her dark blond hair wildly curling around her face. Her expression seemed to be lit up with joy as she turned in the guy’s arms and swayed to the beat of the music.

  He wondered what it would take to find a woman like her. And if he did find someone, if she would be interested in him.

  He grimaced. He’d proved that he wasn’t made for relationships. He’d failed miserably as a husband. He could provide financially, but not when it came to love and affection. He’d forgotten birthdays and special events. He missed anniversaries and holidays. Unless, of course, it was for a client. Those he remembered.

  Dr. Sprader glanced in his direction and he looked away, self-conscious to be caught watching her on the dance floor. A waitress stopped by the table, and he welcomed the distraction to order another round of drinks. Ramos and his girlfriend returned to the table after a few songs. Chris gulped his beer and patted Zach on the back. “Man, this place is sick. How did you find out about it?”

  “Came as a recommendation from a friend.” Okay, so it was another client, but he didn’t have many friends. He noticed that Dr. Sprader seemed to be leaving, her jacket over one arm and the other around her date.

  Ramos followed his gaze and gave a small smile. “She a friend of yours?”

  “No. We just met.”

  “For someone you don’t know, you seem to watch her quite a bit.” Ramos looked over at his girlfriend, who smirked and nodded. “She s
omeone you want to get to know better?”

  Zach turned his attention back to Ramos. The last thing he needed was to lose a client because his focus was elsewhere. “My life doesn’t have much room for making new friends right now. I’m dedicated to my clients and their needs. I work tirelessly to get the best contracts and to make sure their lives are exactly what they want.”

  Ramos nudged him. “I get it. You’d work just as hard for me if I sign with you.”

  “So what is it that’s keeping you from doing that?” Zach asked. He’d been wining and dining this guy for three months without a commitment. “What is it that you need? Tell me and I’ll make it happen to get you on my roster.”

  Ramos and his girlfriend exchanged glances. He leaned in close to Zach. “We need to get married. And quick. You make that happen, and I’ll be happy to join you.”

  Zach wanted to groan. Couldn’t he have asked for something easy like playing for the number one team in the league at a cool six million a season? But he smiled and nodded. “Then you’d better be ready to walk down that aisle.”

  * * *

  MATEO PARKED HIS car in front of her house and cut the engine. She peered through the window to concentrate on the porch light. Was Mateo expecting to come in? Would he kiss her or push for more? And did she want him to?

  She licked her lips and shifted to face him. He kept his gaze straight ahead, focused on something in the dark. “Thanks for a fun evening, Mateo. I really enjoyed it.”

  He turned and smiled at her. “I did, too. More than I expected to.” He winced. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. You’re nice, I mean, and very attractive. But...”

  “But.” She returned his smile. “It’s okay. I liked our time together, but I don’t feel that spark for you either. We’d be better off as friends.”

  “Right. Friends.” Mateo let out a sigh. “I did notice some sparks between you and that guy who stopped at our table.”

  “Mr. Harrison? No, you’re wrong. I’ve only seen him twice, and there’s nothing there. Nothing. Not a thought or idea. Not a thing.”

  He stared at her with a faint smile on his face. “Are you sure about that? You seem a little too adamant.”

  “I protest too much, in other words?” She gave a shrug. “There’s something about him that really bugs me. I can’t describe it.”

  She could tell Mateo wasn’t convinced. Not that it should matter if he was. Mr. Harrison wasn’t her type. She didn’t want to get involved with a workaholic who spent his life on his cell phone, rather than paying attention to the world around him. She knew too well what that was like. And she didn’t intend to go down that path again.

  She gripped the door handle. “Thank you again for a lovely evening.”

  “My pleasure.”

  He started to open his door, but she put out a hand to stop him. “You don’t need to walk me to the door. I’ll be fine.”

  “I may not be interested in you romantically, but I haven’t forgotten my manners.”

  She got out of the car and waited for him to join her on the sidewalk. At the house, Mateo stood on the bottom step as she unlocked the front door. When it opened, she turned and looked down at him. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

  “Good luck on your second-chance list.”

  “Sherri told you?”

  He nodded. “I think it’s great that you’re trying to get back into life after your brush with cancer.”

  “It was more than a brush.”

  He frowned. “You know my mother died from breast cancer? It was horrible to watch the life drain away from her daily.” His expression softened. “So the fact that you’re grabbing life with both hands is something to be proud of. Best of luck with the rest of your list.”

  She stepped inside her house and watched him as he turned on his heel, got back into his car and left. She shut the door and locked it before placing her clutch on the table along with her keys. Leaning on the door for a moment, she retrieved her cell phone from the purse and texted Page. Salsa dancing fun. No sparks with Mateo.

  A few seconds later, her cell phone rang. “What do you mean there were no sparks? The man is soooo hot, so smart—”

  “We had a good time, but there was no chemistry between us.” April plopped onto the sofa and kept the phone wedged between her ear and shoulder as she took off one shoe, then the other. “Besides, the cancer thing puts him off a little.”

  Silence on the other end. Then Page cleared her throat. “Did he actually say that?”

  “No, he mentioned his mom died from it and how hard that was to watch.” She massaged one foot and eased into the sofa. “It’s fine. We’ll just be friends. No big deal.”

  “So what’s next on your list?”

  She plucked her journal from the coffee table and opened it. “I saw an ad in the staff lounge about Italian cooking classes being offered nearby. You know I’ve always wanted to learn to cook, so why not pasta?”

  “I don’t think even you could burn water.”

  “Want to take the class with me?”

  More silence, then a huff of resignation. “Fine. Let me know when and where.”

  * * *

  ZACH BAGGED MRS. ZERELLI’S groceries as his grandmother rang up the purchases. “You’ve grown into a fine young man, Zachary.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Zerelli.” He tucked one paper bag under his arm and hoisted the second. “Why don’t I walk these out to the car for you?”

  She patted his cheeks as his grandmother beamed at him. “Such a good boy.”

  He escorted Mrs. Zerelli to her car and waited for her to unlock the trunk before placing her bags of groceries inside and slamming it shut. He waved away the dollar she tried to press into his hand. “It’s all part of the Rossi service, Mrs. Zerelli.”

  Again, the woman patted his cheeks. “Francisco and Angelina are lucky to have you.”

  He swallowed the guilt that gnawed at him since he hadn’t been with his grandparents much the last few weeks. But he smiled and opened the car door for Mrs. Zerelli, then closed it once she was inside. He waved as she backed out of the parking spot and left the lot.

  Behind the register, Nonna was ringing the next customer’s purchases. For a snowy Saturday in late February, his grandparents’ market seemed to be bustling with business. Zach had planned on stopping in to get a recommendation for a caterer for the Ramos wedding, but seeing the lines and Nonna’s stooped figure behind the register changed it. When he’d been a kid, he’d helped out plenty of afternoons and weekends.

  He returned to Nonna’s side and started to bag the groceries. She turned to him. “I’m surprised to see you. I thought you were at your office.”

  “It’s Saturday.”

  Nonna gave him a look, and he flushed. Okay, so he’d been working a lot lately, but his mother depended on him. “Actually, I was hoping to get some ideas from you for a client of mine. Well, a potential client.”

  “I don’t know anything about sports. You should talk to Pops about that. He’s looking after the meat counter today.” She told the customer the total cost of her purchases as he finished putting the items in the bags. “Have a great day, and we’ll see you on your next visit.”

  The customer left, and Nonna started to ring up the next person’s groceries. Zach leaned in to whisper in her ear. “This isn’t about sports. It’s about throwing a wedding.”

  Nonna paused from her work and stared at him. “I didn’t even know you were dating.”

  He jerked up his hands like a criminal caught red-handed. “I’m not. Like I said, it’s for a client. I need to throw him a quick wedding, and I know nothing about how to do it. The ceremony, the reception, caterers, music, Marissa took care of all of that before.”

  Nonna called over to one of her staff and had him take over the register. She put her arm through Zach’s
and pulled him into the office. She took a seat behind the desk, opened one of the drawers and brought out a large white binder. “These are all my neighborhood contacts. Flowers. Food. Music. A hall. Whatever you need.”

  Zach accepted the book and kissed her cheek. “You’re the best.”

  She laughed and stood. “Now, out of my way. We’re busy.”

  He glanced around the market. “I could give you a hand for a little bit.”

  “Trying to worm your way into a dinner invitation?”

  He gave a shrug. “I haven’t had your cooking in a long time. I think I’m overdue.”

  She paused. “And your mother?”

  He didn’t know what shape she’d be in, but he could check on her and bring her with him if it was a good day. “We’ll see.”

  “She’s my daughter, and I haven’t seen her in weeks.”

  Zach understood that, but his first concern was his mother’s health. “Dinner at seven?”

  This time, she kissed his cheek loudly. “You are a good boy.”

  He didn’t know about that, but he tried. As he was leaving, he almost ran down a woman in a pastel pink jacket with matching hat and scarf. She tried to peer around him into the office. “Sorry, miss. Do you need something?”

  She took off her hat, and he noticed that it was Dr. Sprader. Her jaw dropped at his presence, then she pursed her lips. “I was looking for Mrs. Rossi. I wanted to sign up for her cooking classes.”

  “It’s you.” He shook his head, knowing that didn’t come out right. “My grandmother’s right here.” He turned to Nonna. “You still teach those?”

  She shrugged and motioned for the doctor to come into the office. “I like to pass along my knowledge, so why not? Our next class is next Tuesday. Zach, it wouldn’t hurt you to brush up on your cooking skills.”

  Dr. Sprader seemed a bit stunned. “Your grandmother?”

  Nonna looked between him and the doctor. “You two know each other?”

  “We keep bumping into each other.” The doc bristled at that and turned her back to him. “I was hoping to sign up my friend and me. But I have to admit, we’re both novices at cooking.”