The heat in her cheeks intensified. She was wearing a T-shirt and faded jeans and had her hair in pigtails, she looked like a disaster—like an awkward twelve-year-old. No wonder he’d recognized her. She ran her tongue over her teeth, half expecting her braces to have magically reappeared.
“I’m sorry about your grandmother.” His eyes softened and she had to stop herself from getting swept away by their warmth.
“Thank you.”
“Even after she got really sick she’d still make it in at least once a week to pick out some fish.”
Kay shook her head and laughed. “Meatless Fridays.”
“Yep. Like clockwork, always the first customer.”
“Right after Mass.”
The smile flashed again and Kay wasn’t sure if she would cry or pass out, the combination of mourning, reminiscing and irresistible heat overwhelmed her.
James moved closer, hands in his jeans pockets. “Are you down for the summer, like the old days?”
“Sort of. She left me the house so I’ll be here for the summer clearing it out. Have to decide if I want to sell.”
A look of shock passed over him. “Don’t you want to keep it?”
“I would, but I travel constantly for work. I’m never in one place for very long. I could never keep up with a house. I’m just taking a few months off to get things in order.”
James’s eyes scanned her again. “Are you here by yourself?”
“Just me.”
“And you came to the market to pick up something for dinner?”
She nodded.
“Well, how about if I take you out instead? Just a little local place. To catch up.”
Kay tried to keep her jaw from dropping. She was certain her eyes were wide as saucers. “Okay. I need to go change though, I’ve been cleaning all day.”
“You look great. Besides, I know the owner of this place and he won’t mind.” His eyes sparkled as he held the door, and she followed him into the bright light of the parking lot. The sun glinted off his hair making its highlights look as blue as his eyes.
“It’s Kay now, by the way,” she said.
“What?”
“No one’s called me Kimmy in years. I changed it to Kay back in college.”
“Well, Kay, I’m glad I ran into you.” He held the door to his black Chevy Tahoe open and offered her his hand as she climbed into the high seat. His skin was warm, fingers callused but smooth. The goose bumps came back with a vengeance.
She wondered what he planned on doing with the crate of oysters in the way back and figured he must be delivering them somewhere. He drove four blocks and pulled into the gravel parking lot alongside what used to be D’Amicos. The front of the building was torn apart and flanked by construction vehicles.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “It looks better on the inside.” He jumped out of the car and opened the door for her then grabbed the crate of oysters.
She followed him through the back door into a gloriously shiny, brand new kitchen.
“Wow,” she said, looking around. “I guess someone finally bought this place.”
“Yep, me.”
Chapter Three
James had been hoping Kimmy would come by the store. He knew she’d be back in town, at least for the funeral, and he’d been scanning the crowd of customers for her all day. He hadn’t expected her to look quite so fantastic. Her long wavy hair was the exact color of honey, innocent but sexy in two simple ponytails. Even in jeans and a T-shirt she was a knockout. Her once oversized features now perfectly accented her heart-shaped face, the gangly legs had grown shapely. There was no hint of the awkward girl she’d been years ago when they’d first met. She was all woman now, and it took his breath away.
When he told her the restaurant was his, her already round eyes widened, glistening like molten dark chocolate flecked with gold. “Really?” Her voice was low, crooning. “You’re in the restaurant business? I thought you’d gone into finance.”
“I did, but I kept getting sucked back into the family business with the fish market and I’ve always loved food. I did some restaurant management courses and spent some time at culinary schools in Italy, Montepulciano and Palermo, but I wasn’t sure I’d ever go for it. Then this place went on the market and I decided to just do it.”
“That’s awesome.” She made her way around the kitchen, her delicate hands running along the smooth stainless steel surfaces, her hips swaying as she moved around the center counter. “When do you open?”
“I wish I could answer that. A couple of months, I hope. We’ve hit a few snags with the contractors. It’s okay, though. Gives me more time to perfect the menu. Starting with the chowders.”
“Plural? How many chowders will there be?” She leaned against the counter, tilting forward just enough to make her breasts swell against the fabric of her T-shirt. His stomach knotted as he tried not to be too obvious about noticing.
“You want to see the tentative menu?” He reached up and pulled a folder off the top shelf.
She traced her finger down the paper as she read. He eyed the invisible trail with envy. Jesus. Settle down. She probably thinks you’re an old man.
“This sounds amazing,” she said. “Clam and sausage chowder. My grandmother used to make that.”
“I know. It’s her recipe.”
Her plump pink lips fell open. “Seriously?”
“She used to bring it into the fish market for us at the holidays, and one year I talked her into teaching me how to make it. It’s one of my favorite soups, there’s no way it wasn’t going on the menu. I’ll name it after her, I just haven’t gotten around to naming the dishes yet.”
“She’d love that.” Kay’s eyes misted and she glanced away. Kay. A grown-up name to go with the rest of her look.
“You want to try a bowl? See if I got it right?”
“What, now?”
“Sure.” He pulled open one door of the double fridge. “I made a pot last night. I was going to have it for dinner with some of these oysters. The rest will become oyster and corn chowder, a recipe I don’t have perfected. Yet.”
Kay stared at him with an expression he couldn’t read. Gratitude? Fascination? Maybe she just thought he was crazy to be opening a restaurant in the current economy. Whatever it meant he was glad to have an excuse to make eye contact with her. He held her gaze until she flushed and looked away. She handed him back the menu. “I haven’t had a real meal in days, I’ll try anything you like.”
Her words stirred endless possibilities in his mind, but he tried to push them all aside and concentrate on getting her some food. He scooped crushed ice out of the ice machine and went to work shucking the oysters while the soup heated on the stove.
She sat perched on one of the barstools he’d brought in from the dining room.
“If you want a beer there are some in the fridge, bottom shelf.” He couldn’t help but sneak a look at her ass as she bent down.
“You want one?” she asked, catching him watching her.
“Sure.”
“You’ve got an awful lot of food in here for a restaurant that’s not open.”
“Barter. I’ve been feeding the workers and training the kitchen staff. They grumble about the heat less when they’ve got full stomachs. Plus I get to try out new recipes. Can you grab that small silver bowl from the fridge?”
“This one?”
“That’s it.” He set the platter of oysters between them and quartered a lemon. “How do you take your oysters? Straight? Lemon? Or you want to try the sauce?”
Her brow furrowed as she settled herself back on the stool. “How about one of each?”
“You’re my kind of woman.” She giggled, her thick lashes batting against her cheeks as she flushed a shade darker. For a second he caught a hint of the teenaged Kimmy, then her eyes met his again. One sexy flash and she was completely back to being Kay.
“Let’s start with plain.” He handed her an open shell then took one for hi
mself.
She raised the oyster to her lips then tossed it back, her neck arching, eyes closing. He could imagine her tongue rolling as she tasted the briny-sweet morsel before swallowing. His throat went dry. The low moan she emitted tugged at something deep within his belly. Jesus.
Her eyes fluttered open. “Oh my God. I’d forgotten how much I love oysters. These are fantastic.”
“Fresh as they can get.” His voice rasped. He tipped a shell into his mouth, letting the flavor distract him. “Man, these are good. Lemon on the next one?”
“Sure.” She sipped at her beer, and he realized the soup was about to boil over. He leapt up and caught it before it overflowed out of the pot. She’s got me so distracted I can’t even heat up soup.
He ladled the rich red broth into two wide, ceramic bowls and carried them back to Kay. She’d worked her way through another two oysters.
“That sauce is out of this world.”
“You like it? It’s a classic mignonette sauce—white wine and shallots, but I added some sautéed spinach to give it an oysters Rockefeller taste.”
“Whatever you did, write it down. That’s a keeper.”
The combination of her complimenting his food and the smile on her face was definitely the highlight of his day.
She stirred her soup in wide circles before blowing on a spoonful. He waited while she took her first sip. “Oh.” She sighed. “I haven’t had this in years. You totally nailed it.”
He grinned so broadly it made his cheeks ache. “Good. I wouldn’t want to let Maria down.”
“She’d be very proud.”
They talked and laughed and drank more beer. James had practically forgotten that this was a catch-up session and not an actual date. Every time he looked at her he imagined what it would be like to kiss her. Don’t rush things. She’s here for a funeral. Slow down.
Kay stretched, arching her back and raising her arms high above her head. James was about to throw his resolve out the window and reach for her, but she yawned, covering her lovely mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice a lusty, sleepy purr. “I’m still on Greece time. I’m completely worn out.”
He shook his head, trying to get the image of her breasts straining against her shirt to stop flashing through his mind. “You were in Greece?”
“Yeah. I got the call while I was on location.”
“I’m sorry, Kay. I didn’t realize you flew straight here.”
Her face clouded, a wistful smile twisting her lips. “I didn’t come straight here. I stopped at my place in Manhattan first. I thought it would be the perfect addition to my crappy week to catch my boyfriend with another woman.”
Holy shit. “You’re kidding me.”
“I wish.” She put her head down on the counter, and he wanted to reach out and stroke her hair.
“That fucking sucks.”
“It does. But it’s for the best. Apparently he’s been doing this whenever I travel. He didn’t like being alone. Lovely, huh? Better I found out now than a few years down the road.”
“True.” He rubbed his hand against his jaw to keep from touching her.
“We wouldn’t have worked out anyway. He wasn’t ‘the one’. I just wished he was.” Her head was still down and her voice was muffled. “Besides, I need to be here for a while to take care of the house and decide what I’m doing.”
A while. Promising. “You think you’ll stick around all summer? Like the old days?”
“Probably.”
“Good, I’ve got a lot more recipes that need tasting.”
She lifted her head and smiled, a look that melted his heart. “That’s the best offer I’ve had in a while.”
He chuckled. “Well, I’m glad to make it. But for now I think we need to get you home so you can get some sleep.”
She yawned again. “You’re right. I can barely keep my eyes open. My body thinks it’s three a.m..”
“Come, I’ll drive you. Door-to-door service.”
“You’re just full of great offers.” She carried her bowl over to the sink. “Do you want me to help you clean up first?”
“I’ll take care of it. I’m coming back here to do some paperwork later.” He grabbed his keys off the countertop and held the door for her. “You know that guy’s an idiot, right?”
She turned and looked up at him, her eyes tired and filled with questions.
He wanted to kiss her but he knew the timing wasn’t right. Another night. For now words would have to do. “You don’t cheat on someone just because they’re not around. Trust me, you’re worth waiting for.”
Chapter Four
Kay awoke feeling more content and rested than she had in weeks. She yawned and stretched, thoughts of James drifting through her still hazy brain. Then she remembered. Gram’s funeral is today. Her stomach turned cold and icy. The emptiness in the house seemed even more prominent as she showered and dressed. She half expected Gram to walk into the room and tell her to bring a sweater in case the church was cold.
She buttoned up the back of her simple cap-sleeved black dress and glanced in the mirror. Something’s missing. Pearls? A cross? The cameo. She headed into her grandmother’s bedroom and moved slowly toward her dressing table. Everything was exactly where it always was. The mirrored tray was polished to a high shine. Her two perfume bottles, White Diamonds and Shalimar, were neatly lined up on the right. Her silver hairbrush and bone white comb lay crossed on the left.
Kay ran her fingers over the cherry wood jewelry box, remembering how many times she’d sifted through it as a little girl, trying on its sparkly contents, sometimes all at once. The cameo was right where it was supposed to be, nestled in the same worn piece of crimson velvet. She traced the cool carved surface, admiring the delicate profile of the smiling woman, hair piled atop her head in a bun, diamond necklace sparkling around her slim neck, the amber background highlighting her features like the glow of a sunset.
A tear trickled down Kay’s cheek as she fastened the pin to the neckline of her dress, but she swallowed hard and choked the rest back. Deep breaths. You can do this. Gram wouldn’t have wanted crying, she’d want people sharing happy memories.
Right on cue there was a knock at the door. Kay could hear Rosalie and Trixie bickering on the front porch. She wiped beneath her eyes one last time then let them in.
“You ready?” Rosalie asked.
“Of course she’s ready, look at her, she looks beautiful.” Trixie ran a hand over Kay’s shoulder, gently smoothing the fabric. “I remember when I had a figure like this.”
“Yeah, in your dreams. That dress wouldn’t have fit you since you were ten years old, you got our mother’s fat ass, God rest her soul.”
Kay couldn’t help but snicker. They argued constantly, like an old married couple.
“I’m glad you’re smiling, sweetie. We know this is a tough day for you. Come. Let’s get to the church.”
Kay grabbed large, dark sunglasses and placed them on her face. Here we go.
The church was packed. Maria had been a member for almost her entire life, and it seemed like every single person in the congregation had shown up to pay their respects. People swarmed around Kay, offering condolences and hugs. It was completely overwhelming. So many hands to shake, so many thank yous to say. She was so busy talking it kept her mind off the reason she was really there.
The service was long but lovely. The priest said beautiful things about Maria, about her kindness, her warmth, her cooking. It was a touching tribute. Kay choked up when he mentioned her, but she managed to breathe through it and hold it together. She welcomed the fresh air as they took the short ride to the cemetery. It was a crisp day for early summer and the breeze in the air smelled clean and soothing, like the ocean.
It wasn’t until the coffin began its slow descent into the ground that it finally hit her. This was it. Gram’s gone. The tears came out of nowhere in a white-hot rush, bursting forth with a gurgling cry she couldn’t quiet. The harder
she tried to contain them the louder the hiccupy sobs became. Rosalie and Trixie wrapped their fragile arms around her and guided her down into a chair, murmuring things she couldn’t make out over the sound of her own weeping.
She was thankful that the other mourners gave her space and kept a respectful distance as she pulled herself together.
Trixie rubbed her back. “It’s okay, honey. Let it all out. Then you can move on.”
Rosalie rummaged through her enormous purse then handed Kay a bottle of water. “Here, sip this. Not too fast or you’ll get hiccups.”
Kay opened the bottle and took a small swallow. Her nose was completely clogged and her eyes felt scratchy, but her breathing was slowing.
“Better?” Rosalie asked.
Kay nodded, still not trusting her voice to work without unleashing a fresh bout of tears.
“Good.” Rosalie nudged her hand and dropped in a tiny pill. “Now take this.”
“What are you giving her?” Trixie asked, leaning forward to get a closer look.
“It’s one of your valiums. God made valium for two things, raising children and getting through moments like this. Take it. If it won’t kill Trixie it’s not gonna hurt you.”
Kay gratefully popped the pill into her mouth and swallowed it. She drank more water and rolled her shoulders, already feeling some of the tension drain from her body.
Rosalie stood up, twisting around to try to straighten her dress. “You ready?”
“I think so.” Kay stood and took a long look around. The flowers, the green folding chairs, these were the last new memories she’d have of Gram. The old memories are better.
Trixie handed Kay a tissue. “Just in case.”
“Thanks, Trix, I’m okay now.”
“Of course you are, you’re Maria’s girl, strong as they come.”
Kay took their hands and they walked toward the car. As she lowered herself into the limo, her breath caught. Over by the trees a tall man in a deep gray suit was watching her. James. He was here. He raised a hand in a wave and she felt herself smile. The driver closed the door and she settled in for the ride back to town. She hoped James would be at Rosalie’s for the reception. She wanted to thank him for coming. She wanted to see him again.
Then, Again Page 2