I grew giddy as we drove to the shop, a box full of melamine plates in the back of the car and a couple of knick-knacks in my purse to sit by the register.
Once we arrived, Amy got busy washing glasses and placing them on the shelves behind the counter, and I put out the last few books and finished decorating. I’d planned to be open all day, but expected that most folks would come for the free wine tasting we’d advertised after five thirty.
“You ready?” Amy asked, as we stood together at the glass door.
I nodded, and she turned over the sign as I unlocked the door and propped it open. Within minutes, our first customer was inside. Of course it almost didn’t count, since it was Toby from next door.
“Just wanted to say congratulations and welcome to the hood.” He bought a bottle of wine and then insisted we open it and drink it with him to celebrate.
Having a minor buzz made the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon fly by. People were in and out, and most had nice things to say about the shop, the selection and the idea in general. I was glowing with happiness as we set up the wine tasting and more people began to arrive just after five o’clock.
Amy turned up the music and I put out trays of Nan’s famous mini-quiches, along with a selection of cookies and baklava that I’d made over the last few days, and soon I could barely catch my breath between greeting new guests. The sky began to darken outside, and I realized that hours were flying by, the shop full of people smiling, drinking, and best of all—buying things. I dodged into the kitchen and whirled out with a tray of hot cookies, almost crashing into a solid T-shirt clad back standing near the counter.
“Hey.” Laser green eyes found mine and I almost dropped the cookies. My heart jumped around in my chest and I became giddy and light.
“Rob.” I couldn’t help the silly grin that spread across my face. He hadn’t left. He hadn’t run away. He’d come to help and now he was here. What more could I possibly want from him? He kept showing up, and besides Nan and my sister, no one else in my life had ever done that for me. People like romance and flowers, but for me all that really mattered was that someone showed up. And here this guy was. Again. And again. For me.
“Looks like it’s going well,” he said, leaning down toward my ear so he didn’t have to shout to be heard.
“It’s been incredible,” I said, stepping behind the counter to put the cookies behind the glass. “Can I get you something?”
He nodded, turning to the counter where several bottles were open and glasses were laid out in rows. Amy had done an amazing job keeping the wine stocked and things looking tidy as people came and went, and we’d both done our best to take turns washing glasses in the back. Just as I was pouring a zinfandel to hand to Rob, his expression stiffened. I followed his gaze to see a prim older woman and a man with thick dark hair and his shirt unbuttoned just one button too low come in.
He slid me an almost apologetic look as he said, “My mother.”
“Oh,” I said. “Okay. Did you tell them about this?”
“Not exactly. But my mother is like a detective,” he said.
“Or maybe Mateo told her,” I suggested as Mateo stepped through the door behind them, his grin firmly in place as he strode into the crowded shop and over to where we stood.
“I brought a couple of customers for you, Dani,” he said, pulling me into a hug.
“I’m so glad you came,” I said.
“I’d like to introduce my mother, Francine,” Mateo said, putting an arm around the thin woman, who smiled graciously and said hello. “And her husband, Teddy.”
“Thank you so much for stopping by,” I said, trying to find Rob and Mateo in the features of this small birdlike woman before me. “Can I get you some wine?”
When everyone had a glass in hand, I circulated to greet my other guests, but I kept an eye on Rob. I didn’t want him to leave again before we’d had a chance to talk a little bit. I had no idea what might or might not happen, but I wanted to thank him. If nothing else, I needed him to know that I appreciated all he’d done, quietly supporting me and helping without me even asking him to.
I was surprised when the door pushed open again and Britta appeared, her gentleman friend holding out his arm for her and her hand laid within the crook of it. She was glowing, and so was he, actually. I took a moment to appreciate how happy she looked before approaching them. Britta glanced around her with wide eyes, a smile lighting her face. Her friend began examining wine bottles, nodding his approval as he chose several and put them into a basket.
“Britta,” I called as I stepped forward.
Britta dropped the man’s arm, pulled me into a hug, and held me in front of her, smiling at me with tears in her eyes. “Darling, this is amazing. It’s perfect.”
“Thank you so much for coming, I didn’t expect you.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said. Britta delivered this last sentiment, her eyes trained on Rob. He stood in the kitchen doorway, looking around calmly with a glass of red wine still in his hand. “That’s him, isn’t it?”
“How do you know that?” Warmth crawled up my cheeks.
“The way he was watching you when you weren’t looking, dear.” Britta winked at me and then stepped back. “I hope you’ll introduce me.”
I nodded and then was pulled aside by a customer asking about a Rhône wine.
When I had a free moment, I stepped into the back to wash some glasses, hoping Rob wouldn’t disappear. He’d been chatting with Amy, and I expected to hear a detailed report later. As I rinsed, I let myself feel happy and hopeful. Everything was going exactly as I’d dreamed. Better, maybe. I ran the water, turning a glass beneath the stream, when Rob’s broad shoulders filled the doorway.
“Okay if I come back here for a minute?” he asked.
A thrill raced through me at the sight of him, and I couldn’t help but remember the last time we’d been this close in the kitchen. “Sure.”
“Congratulations, Dani. This is great.”
I nodded, rinsing another glass and then setting it aside to dry. Rob picked up the towel and began drying the glasses I set down. After a minute, we had a rhythm going, working side by side. When I’d rinsed the last glass, I turned off the tap and looked up at the man next to me.
“Rob, I owe you an apology,” I said.
“No, you—”
“Just let me speak,” I said, laying a hand on his arm and then wishing I hadn’t. My heart jumped and my blood sizzled at the contact, making it hard to find the words I’d just had on the tip of my tongue. “I’m so sorry I ran away that night after the park. I was scared.” I looked down at my hand on his arm, at his dark skin under my pale fingers, at the corded muscle there. “I thought things were moving too fast—for me anyway. I just, I was developing feelings I wasn’t sure what to do with, and I…I don’t have a good track record with relationships.” I stopped my mouth, but couldn’t raise my eyes to meet his. I’d basically just admitted to the feelings I had, still had, for him. And I wasn’t sure what I might see in his eyes.
He bent his head down to force my gaze to meet his. “Hey,” he said. “I was scared, too.”
His words gave me confidence, and I smiled and continued. “I wanted to thank you, too. For being here. For being here for me every time I needed help. For the beautiful furniture…”
He shook his head. “No need. I had to be here. My desire to be with you? It’s selfish.”
“What?”
“It’s like playing guitar. Remember me playing at the club?”
I nodded.
“It helps clear my mind. Makes me feel better, less broken. But then I met you. And when I’m around you…I feel the same way. Like I can think straight, see things clearly.”
“Really?” I loved the idea that I might help him in some way, after all the help he’d given me.
He placed a hand over mine, lifted it, and held it between us. “And you helped me find something I’d lost.”
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“I did?”
“Building. Carpentry.” He smiled then. “When I’m designing something, or building, it’s just like playing guitar. It centers me, makes me feel calm, capable.”
That made sense. He was so good at it, and so focused when he was working.
“You helped me figure that out,” he continued. “And also helped me decide to start my own business, doing custom carpentry.”
“Seriously?” I bounced on my toes and grinned. “That’s such a great idea.”
He put his arms around my waist and pulled me in to him, both of us caught up in the moment. But as my chest pressed against his, and he tightened his arms around me, my giddy excitement morphed quickly into something else. Heat rushed through me and desire pricked at my skin. He smelled so good—salty and earthy, just a little bit spicy—and he was so hard and solid. All I wanted was to fold myself into him, to wrap myself around him.
“Can I kiss you again, Dani?” he asked, his lips just centimeters from mine.
“Please,” I whispered. There was a chance I might explode if he didn’t.
He brushed my mouth softly with his, and then, not a second later, crushed his mouth hard against mine. I heard myself release a breath, half moan, half gasp. I was on fire with wanting him, and if he’d pulled me up onto the counter at that moment, I wouldn’t argue, even with the shop full of people. Even with his mother just feet away.
“Dani?” Amy’s voice came from the doorway. “Aha, I see what’s been keeping you,” she said, laughing as we sprang apart. “You are needed, I’m afraid. You can grope Rob later.”
My face flushed as I smoothed my clothes and hair and turned to follow her out, flashing Rob a grin. He caught my hand before I made it out and pulled me back a step.
“Will you go out with me again?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” I said, floating back to the shop where people still milled and drank and chatted everywhere. Rob’s stepfather, Teddy, was waiting at the counter, looking impatient.
“Hi,” I said, hoping I didn’t look like I’d just been making out with his stepson. “How can I help you?”
“I’d like to take these,” he indicated four bottles standing on the counter. “And I wondered if you could tell me where you purchased the table and chairs over there?” He pointed to Rob’s gift.
“Those were a gift,” I told him. “Handmade. By Roberto DeRosa.” I grinned, waiting for his reaction.
He nodded, and then narrowed his eyes at the furniture again. “Rob made those?”
“Rob did almost all the carpentry in here,” I told him. “And the tile, too.”
“And did you find him…easy to work with?” Teddy asked, tilting his head to one side.
“Definitely.”
Teddy paid for his wine and then stepped away from the counter. I stood and watched as he whispered something to Rob’s mother and they both spoke to Rob before turning toward the door.
Mateo came to give me a kiss goodbye, explaining he needed to get back home. He bought a half-case of wine and several books. “Checking out the competition,” he told me as he picked up the box of wine.
The night began to wind down, and it was about time to turn the sign back over when a fire truck pulled up to the curb, lights flashing.
“Are we over the maximum capacity in here?” I wondered aloud as I did a quick count.
“No, loser.” Amy said, grinning. “That’s Trent. He said he’d stop by.”
“In the fire truck?”
She grinned as Trent came striding in, followed by Zeek, Oliver, Andy, and Chad. Each guy gave me a hug and then crossed the space to greet Rob where he stood near the back bookshelf. And then, clearly having been trained in exactly what to do next, each of them selected a bottle of wine and Amy rang them up. As quickly as they’d arrived, they headed back out, Trent pausing to give my sister a scorching kiss before the truck pulled away again.
“He’s a good guy,” she said, smiling after him.
I nodded. “He is.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Rob
Dani’s shop began to clear slowly, people spilling out onto the sidewalk along Newport Avenue, laughing and talking to one another. I had no idea what her income had been for the night, or if she had met her goals, but there was no question the shop opening had been a success. At least from a social standpoint.
It was after nine o’clock by the time Dani finally flipped the sign and locked the glass door. Once the lock was in place, she slumped against the wall, smiling at Amy and at me. Her face was bright and happy, her eyes shining and her hair tousled and wild around her head. She looked so beautiful, I couldn’t look away.
I wasn’t sure it had been right for me to stick around. But it had been too hard to leave. The words we’d shared in the back, the kiss, had made me want to continue that conversation. There was so much more I wanted to tell her, about therapy, about the cottage…but if I got the chance, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to. Between the fact that my words moved as quickly as chocolate pudding, and the very distracting fullness of her bottom lip as she pulled it between her teeth, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get through all I wanted to say.
“I can’t believe how well that went,” Dani said, her smile spreading as she crossed the shop and flopped down on one of the low couches.
“How well did it go?” Amy asked, nodding toward the iPad register.
“I have no idea, I wasn’t keeping a running total,” Dani said. “I just meant the people. We were busy all day.”
I stepped forward, about to make an excuse to leave, when Dani looked at me. “I’m so glad you stayed.”
Amy faked a big theatrical yawn. “I’m beat,” she said. “Rob, would you give Dani a ride home? Dani, you okay to close up on your own?”
Amy’s exit couldn’t have been a more obvious ploy, but I was grateful for it. Once she left, Dani crossed the space to lock the door again. “So,” she said, clearly uncomfortable.
I smiled at her, feeling every bit as awkward. “So.”
Her face was still lit from within, the happy glow she’d carried all night burning brightly in her blue eyes. She busied herself at the counter, clearing bottles and glasses, and glancing up at me now and then.
I finally found the nerve to speak again. “Want to go get a drink?”
Her hands stilled as she stood facing away from me at the counter. “You meant tonight?” She spun, her eyes gleaming.
“I meant as soon as possible,” I admitted.
“I’d love to get a drink.”
I stood, and after she’d gathered her bag, we stepped out into the cool evening air. Newport Avenue was humming with activity, teenagers and college kids mixing with twenty-somethings all along the sidewalk. They wore flip-flops and board shorts, bikini tops and short shorts. It was a beach town, and on Friday and Saturday evenings, the casual vibe of Ocean Beach attracted them like beach bums to beer.
We wandered to the end of the street and around the corner to where a sushi bar perched on the second floor of a small building. “Here?” I asked, nodding toward the stairway up.
“Perfect,” Dani said, not meeting my eye again. I liked seeing her shy, a little off-balance. I was so often out of sync with the world, it was comforting somehow to see Dani nervous. It seemed so out of character for her, since she was usually so easygoing, so accepting of whatever life threw her way.
We went upstairs, following a hostess to a quiet table next to the window. My heart rose into my throat as I took in the setting. I’d planned on maybe grabbing a couple of spots at a noisy neighborhood bar, but this place was quiet and romantic. I needed to up my game, like the stakes had suddenly been raised.
Dani ordered a martini, and I asked for a pint. We were seated in front of the window, which actually eased the need for constant conversation, since the orange glow of the remnant sunset over the dark Pacific was enough to hold our attention. But once the drinks came, my body was practically vibrating.
Expectations were high.
“So, I—”
“Thanks for this, Rob. It’s nice to have a chance to unwind.” Dani’s eyes shone as she watched me, and sparks flew between us. Her knee grazed mine, and even that one single point of contact sent my mind racing back to that night in the park, to the way she’d felt in my arms, to the sounds she’d made as I’d buried myself inside her. My dick throbbed almost painfully, as if I needed another reminder.
“Good,” I said, the word sounding lame and flat. She dropped her hand to my knee and my entire body thrummed in response, my mind fogging further. “I, um…” I released her gaze and wiped a hand across my forehead, trying to regain my thoughts. “I…damn. Could you, uh, just for a second?” I lifted her hand from my knee and placed it back on her own.
Her face fell and she shrank slightly, her eyes losing some of their glow as a flush crept up her neck. “Oh God, I’m sorry, I thought—”
“Dani, I can’t think straight when you’re touching me. It’s hard enough when you’re this close.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened and she smiled slightly, as if she wasn’t sure she understood.
“When your hands are on me, I…” How much should I tell her? I decided I might as well be honest. “Honestly?”
She nodded, leaning forward slightly.
“When you touch me, I just want to throw you across the bar and push your skirt up, and…”
She grinned, and I swear she bounced a little in her seat. Her hand landed on my knee again, and she raised an eyebrow.
“You’re killing me.” I placed her hand carefully back in her lap. “I just need to say a few things,” I said, breaking the electric gaze between us and glancing outside to pull myself together. My dick was an iron rod in my pants and I could barely think. I took a swallow of beer, tried to imagine my grandmother dancing or remember the latest Padres stats. “I told you about the business. But I didn’t tell you that I’m back in therapy, to help get better with…” I gestured between us. “With everything.”
“That’s awesome,” she said. “I think that’s really great.” Her hand found my leg again, and then she seemed to remember and jerked it back quickly. “Sorry.”
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