You set the plans in motion to get her a bigger one. She was saving up for a nice, expensive purse? Well, you buy it for her on the spot! She has career ambitions? You make sure she has the financial backing to get it started. Joseph, you have made Zoe’s life to be about you. You, you, you! You were suffocating her, my brother. You backed her into a corner and not only did she come out swinging, she knocked your ass out.”
“So once again, it’s my fault?” Joey asked.
“She shouldn’t have lied, no doubt about that. If she didn’t want to live with you, she should’ve been forthcoming about it.” Nick agreed. “But I can see why she did. She probably thought not telling you about the apartment was her way of, ‘See? I can do this by myself without your help!’ and well, it backfired.”
Joey shook his head in disbelief and disgust. “The one woman I would’ve given up just about everything for and for what? Absolutely nothing in return.”
“That brings up another good point – how was Zoe supposed to act? Best case scenario –
what were you expecting to get out of this generosity?”
“Well, I expected her to…” The harsh realization stopped Joey from finishing his sentence.
“You expected her to what?” Nick asked. “Go on. Come out with it.”
“I expected her to move in with me.” Joey forced out the words.
“Again – you, you, you. You thought it was about her but really, it was about you the entire time, my brother.”
Joey rubbed a hand over his face as the harsh reality of his actions once again bit him in the ass. “So what do I do now?”
“Wait. If she’s serious about you and making it work, she’ll come back. It has to be her making the first move, not you.”
“And if she doesn’t.”
“You know that saying, ‘it’s not you, it’s me’?”
Knew it? Joey perfected that line with each conquest. “Go on.”
“It would apply here. It was never about you; it was her.”
****
“You’ve had a pout on your face for the past several months and I know it’s not because of the upcoming Fashion Week.” London commented to her sister.
Zoe forced a grin as she helped her sister put away food after Sunday dinner. “I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
“A lot regarding a certain somebody we can’t talk about anymore?” London wondered
aloud.
“If you must know, yes.”
“It’s been a couple of months, Zoe. Everything was fine over the holidays and then you two were broken up by Valentine’s with no explanation on your part.” London commented. “Not that it’s any of my business but I saw how happy you were and I honestly thought he was The One. What happened?”
What did happen? Her? Him? Both of them? Everything? Anything? Nothing? “I’m not
quite sure,” Zoe answered honestly.
“Sounds like it was a combination of both of your faults, not just one.” London observed.
Zoe sat down at the breakfast nook and let out a sigh. “I never wanted to be a housewife, London. Truth is, I’m not quite sure if I ever want to be married. But I know I didn’t want to be attached to some dude because of his name, money, and connections. I didn’t want anyone to think the reason why I have any success is because of him or the reason why I’ve made a name for myself is because he gave me a head start. And I know he wanted to help and I honestly believe he thought he was. But he made me scared. It was no longer about me, if it was ever about me. And I guess I wanted to prove a point to him. I guess I wanted to say, ‘Hey, I can do this without you. I can be successful without you. I can accomplish everything with you.’”
“And it turns out, you can’t?” London smiled.
“I gave up the best thing I ever had and I still have nothing to show for it, London.
Nothing. I’ll be moving to New York in a couple of months and chances are, if I’m not already blacklisted there, I will be shortly. I don’t have any friends there. I don’t have anyone showing me the way to go. I don’t have anything because I thought I was better off without him. I broke his heart and ruined a great relationship just to prove a point. I can’t get him back.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” London replied. “I look it at it this way. You both are wrong. He was wrong for having unrealistic expectations of you. You were wrong in not being completely truthful with him. It really comes down to a basic misunderstanding that was blown out of proportion by two very intelligent, and strong-willed people. But now that you know what went wrong, you have two choices: you can fix it and try to work on your relationship or you can leave it alone and chalk it up as a learning experience.”
“I don’t know, London Bridge…” Zoe shook her head. Reconciling with Joey sounded
ideal but she was pretty sure she was Public Enemy Number One on his short list. “I don’t think reconciliation is ever going to happen.”
London placed her hands over her sister’s. “Do you still love him?”
Love him couldn’t begin to describe the feelings Zoe had towards Joey still. Her heart yearned for him like he was a new designer drug. “More than anything.”
“Chances are, he feels the same way. When it’s right and you both have gotten the
stubbornness out of your respective systems, you two will find your way back to each other.”
She smiled.
Zoe turned to her sister. “When did you become so smart?”
“Age and experience, young grasshopper. Age and experience.”
Twenty-Seven
A year later…
It was like he had envisioned it, just like the other two openings.
Madre’s third store finally opened on Long Island. Balloons, free miniature bouquets, pastries, and several local bands marked the occasion. Children got free face paintings and balloon animals. Event planners set up tables and offered their services to anyone who inquired.
A mini-carnival and food vendors were also present to entertain the guests.
Joey felt if he was going to go big, he had to go all the way.
Once again, Nicola and the entire D’Amato family were present – taking pictures,
mingling with local celebrities, and doing press interviews. Joey gladly stepped out of the way to give his mother the much-needed attention she deserved. After all, she was the face of Madre’s; he just happened to run it.
“Each time I think you can’t amaze me, you do something completely incredible.” Kieran approached his brother as they watched from inside the Madre’s offices.
“I meant what I said that I wanted the family to be taken care of first.” Joey replied back as he watched their mother give yet another interview. “All of this is to secure our futures.”
“And we all thank you for it.” Kieran agreed. “Speaking of business ventures, are you coming to the show tonight?”
“I don’t know.” Joey answered truthfully. “I have some work I need to do so I might be a no-show.”
“Work could wait for a night, don’t you think?” Kieran replied.
Joey turned to his brother and bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from really cursing Kieran out. “Che cazzo? And why do you want me at the show, K? To ease your guilty conscience? So you and Tee can play matchmaker? Or for you to finally rub it in my face with a big, fat told you so?”
“I’ll admit I was an ass. I cared more about our business venture than about your feelings and I was wrong in that. But I also gave you my blessing.” Kieran reminded his brother. “Listen, I know how things are between you and Zoe and if you don’t want to come out tonight, I understand. But at least consider coming for me and Tiana. The whole family is going to be there and it would be nice if you were there as well.”
“I’ll think about it.” Joey answered. “If I go, I’ll just stay for the show and leave shortly afterwards so it won’t make anyone uncomfortable.”
“That’s fine by me, brother.” Kier
an gave his brother a hug. “I still think you two should get back together. She asks about you all the time.”
Joey’s heart tightened up and he had to catch his breath momentarily. He didn’t want to hear that. He would’ve rather had Zoe hated him with all of her might than to inquire about how he was doing. “That’s lovely.”
“Aww…look at this!” Catalina interrupted the men. “Brotherly love!”
Kieran stepped aside and grinned at Catalina. “And that’s my cue to go. I’ll see you tonight, J.” He then left.
Joey shifted his stance as Catalina closed the door behind her and approached him. For the year he had been single, she had been particularly aggressive in trying to bed him, only to be repeatedly shot down like a fighter jet with every attempt. She finally stopped a few months back and Joey sang soft praises to heaven’s choir for their generosity.
“How can I help you, Cat?” He asked.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done! The place looks great and you all should be proud of opening a third location.” She smiled. “Very well done.”
“Thank you, thank you. A lot of hard work but it paid off.” Joey nodded. “Was there
anything I could help you with?”
“I just wanted to say thank you for everything. Over the past year, I realized I was chasing a fantasy when I had a great reality in front of me all along.” Catalina presented her left hand to Joey. It boasted of a large diamond solitaire ring. “And I just wanted to say thank you for making me realize there were other fish in the sea.”
“You’re welcome,” Joey’s face was emotionless.
“She makes me very happy,” Catalina pressed.
“She, huh?” Joey was surprised. “Well, good for you. Was there anything else?”
“No,” Catalina smiled and tousled her hair back, “that was it. I’ll leave you alone now.”
“Oh, Cat. One last thing.” Joey walked up to her. He forced her against a nearby wall, and wrapped one of her legs around his waist. His mouth latched onto her neck, suckling and licking it before his tongue trailed her jawline. They both moved in unison, dry-humping each other in his office as Catalina clutched at Joey’s back and moaned his name.
She felt his erection pressing into her and desperately wanted to feel him inside her. But that moment wouldn’t happen. Instead she climaxed and shook, letting the waves of ecstasy roll over her body.
“You can eat all the salad you want but eventually, you’re going to want a steak.” Joey reminded her.
Twenty-Eight
He smiled proudly like a father seeing his newborn son for the first time.
Joey knew Zoe was ridiculously talented but he didn’t realize just how much she was.
Bright colors such as pink, lime, and purple streamed down the runway for the girls’ collection.
Collared polos, suit and tie ensembles, and jeans highlighted the boys’ collection. He overheard several industry bigwigs commenting on how popular they thought Tyson’s Heart was going to be in stores and some wishing they got in on the action when the opportunity was presented.
It was the higher-end line, Olive Juice, that really caught Joey’s attention. He didn’t want to think too much about the name of the line, though a part him knew it was an ode to their former relationship.
Was Zoe giving him some sort of sign? Again, Joey didn’t want to make that leap, even if the thought wouldn’t leave him.
All of the children models came out at the end of the show, once again strutting the runway to whoops and hollers from the crowd. After the last model, Zoe came out carrying Gianna with one hand and walking alongside Tyson. She waved to the audience and mouthed several thank you’s to the audience. When she hit the end of the runway, she turned around to make the walk back when she briefly spotted Joey in the audience, looking directly at her.
Joey didn’t say a word but his eyes told Zoe everything she wanted to hear. Warmth.
Happiness. And if she assumed correctly, she saw love within them.
She fought back tears and tried to focus on the runway ahead of her, hoping she wasn’t going to trip and fall down on her expensive Gucci heels. She wanted a moment to see him again, talk to him, let him know that she was sorry for everything and she wanted another chance to make it right, to make them right. But she had to keep moving. It wasn’t the time nor the place for romantic reunions, if there was going to be one. She had a job to do and that was that.
Still, a part of Zoe wanted to test the waters; to see if the hope she had within her was somehow fallible and undeniable or if she was holding onto a distant memory and old times.
Quickly, within a blink of an eye, she mouthed the fateful words to Joey and waited for his reaction. If he replied, it would’ve made her night. If he didn’t, she knew where she stood with him.
Swallowing hard, she locked eyes with Joey. “Olive juice,” she mouthed.
Joey smiled back. “Olive juice you too,” he mouthed.
****
“Well, that’s it! We are all done!” Stephanie cleaned up the backstage area. “Are you
meeting us at the after-party? A lot of movers and shakers are going to be there.”
“Yeah, I just need to check out some things first before I go,” Zoe played with her phone,
“and then I’ll be there.”
Stephanie walked over to her boss and had a small smile on her face. “I saw that you two made eye contact.”
“You saw that, huh?” Zoe acknowledged.
“So what’s going on?” Stephanie inquired. “Are you cool now? Or y’all still pretending that you hate each other?”
“It was the first time I’ve seen him in a year, Steph.” Zoe dismissed her assistant. “And you’re asking me if we’re about to get married.”
“Well, are you?” Stephanie laughed.
Zoe rolled her eyes. “I haven’t seen him since then. He didn’t come backstage and that’s that.”
Stephanie’s mouth opened wide upon seeing the new visitor. “I would say that’s a hasty statement.”
“What?” Zoe looked up at her and turned to see what Stephanie was looking at. Before her, was Joey, holding a single long-stemmed red rose.
Stephanie glanced between the former couple. “I see you two have a lot to catch up on so I’m going to head to the afterparty. Zoe, I’ll see you there.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…” Zoe replied back.
Stephanie walked to Joey and stopped in front of him. “She still loves you even if she doesn’t say it.” She whispered to him.
“Thanks for the heads up.” He whispered back before she left. Joey walked over to Zoe and presented the rose to her. It was custom-made with Olive Juice emblazoned on the petals.
“You did good out there, kid.”
Zoe took the rose and smelled it. Beautiful memories of the first time Joey surprised her with roses at Fits and Giggles flooded her mind. She loved and missed him more than she realized. “Thank you. It was a lot of hard work but it paid off.”
“It did,” Joey smiled, “you should be very proud. I know everyone in the family is.”
“I’m very glad to hear that,” Zoe smiled. “That makes me happy.”
“Well, I don’t see why they wouldn’t. You saw Kieran’s and Tiana’s vision and went
above and beyond it. Just amazing work, Zo.”
The way his deep baritone said her name made Zoe feel all sorts of flutters. She briefly put a hand on her chest to steady her pounding heartbeat. “Thank you.”
“Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say to you. I hope all is well in your world.” Joey slightly nodded and started to leave before Zoe touched his arm. He turned back towards her; his breathing became shallow and his mouth cottony. “Yes?”
There were no words Zoe wanted to say, just action. She pulled Joey in closer and wrapped her hands around his head. Their lips met each other’s repeatedly, not missing a step, despite how long it had been. She opened her mouth and Joey playfu
lly forced his tongue inside.
Zoe pulled away from him long enough to speak. “I want my own career, Joey.”
Joey hurriedly unfastened Zoe’s blouse. “I won’t interrupt.”
“I want to make all decisions regarding what I do with my life,” she unbuckled his pants.
Joey pulled off Zoe’s blouse. “That’s fine.”
Zoe abruptly stopped the action between them. “I want you…forever. No more games, no more lies, no more crap. Just us.”
“Was that ever a question?” Joey gave a sensual smile. “Sei tutto cio' di cui ho bisogno.”
“You’re talking fancy knowing I can’t understand you.” Zoe smiled.
“You’re everything I need,” he translated, “and I’m not letting you go this time.”
“I don’t want you to,” Zoe whispered back. “We’re going to be late to the afterparty.”
“You’re right,” he conceded and began to put his clothing back on when his girlfriend stopped him. “What?”
“I said we’re going to be late; I didn’t say we’re stopping!”
Epilogue
Four years later…
“And this is where the magic happens,” Eli introduced the warehouse to the cameras, “this is where we create all of the designs right here. As you can see, it’s pretty big, about twenty thousand square feet. We have anywhere between two to three hundred events every month.
From weddings to anniversary celebrations to corporate gatherings to television network parties, we do it all right here.”
“And cut!” The director yelled. “That’s good. We need to get some shots of you working with another client. Do you think we can get a frazzled one coming in today?”
“Today?” Joey smirked. “Try any hour.”
The reputation of Madre’s grew so large the family snagged their own reality show, aptly titled, Madre’s. The show was proven to be a runaway success, with many female viewers tuning in to see the hottest brother duo on television. Joey and Eli had earned at least two magazine covers so far with many more pending. The TV show also brought more attention to the other brothers, boosting Kieran’s and Tiana’s clothing line and raising Nick’s profile at the university.
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