“I don’t want to talk about it. It’s bad enough I’ll have to work with her on this new project.”
Nate studied Antonio. “Let’s go outside and talk.”
They started toward the exit, and his mother intercepted them. “Oh, there’s my baby.” She plucked Noelle out of Antonio’s arms and showered the little girl’s face with kisses. “Nate, Arlene wants to see her. I’ll bring her back in a minute.”
“Tony and I are going outside for a minute. If I’m not back, take her to April.”
“Okay.” She started back across the room.
Antonio and Nate found a spot on the side of the building. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Man, clearly you’re still not over her if just the mention of her name pisses you off.”
“I’ve been over her, and I’m not pissed off.” Okay, maybe he was a little annoyed. His plan to come home, reconnect with his family, maybe spend some time working with his godfather on a few houses, and think about starting his own business had morphed into something entirely different in less than a week.
“Tony, you two were kids when you broke up. The only way you’re going to be able to move forward is to forgive her. Did you ever ask her why?”
“Aside from trying to reach out to her when I first got the letter, no.” And it had been eating at him for years. As far as forgiving her, he thought he’d already scaled that hurdle and put it behind him. Yet seeing her again brought back all the hurt and confusion from all those years ago.
“Maybe it’s time you did. You’re most likely going to have to partner with her more often than not since she’s one of a handful of Realtors in town.”
Just great.Antonio dragged a hand down his face. “We both have a job to do, and we’ll get it done. The end. We don’t need to be friends, just professionals.”
Nate shook his head. “I hate to tell you this, but you two will always be more than that. You forget I remember what happened. I was there and know how much you were hurt when she ended the relationship.”
Of course he’d remember. Nate had been the first person Antonio called when he received Natasha’s letter and couldn’t reach her. His brother had been the one to help him get through one of the worse times in his life. Antonio felt the pain as if it had happened yesterday. Nate was wrong. The only thing Antonio and Natasha could ever have between them was a working relationship. Nothing more.
Monday afternoon, Natasha walked the one block to the mayor’s office. She’d been surprised when his assistant called and asked her to attend a meeting to discuss her suggestion about the furnished units but elated that Mayor Brewer seemed to be excited about moving forward, and so soon. Now that the local construction company would be handling everything, she figured they’d get the ball rolling much sooner.
Natasha climbed the four steps to the town’s government building, which housed the mayor’s office as well as the town’s manager, treasurer, and attorney. She made her way down the hall and greeted the mayor’s administrative assistant. “Hi, Mrs. Rogers. I’m here for a two o’clock appointment with Mayor Brewer.”
“Hi, Natasha. Have a seat. He’s finishing up a conference call and will be with you in just a moment.” The woman had to be in her sixties and had been a fixture in the mayor’s office for as long as Natasha could remember.
“Thanks.” She sat in one of the quartet of chairs in the spacious area. While waiting, she pulled out her iPad and made some notes about styles and budgets. This would be her first major interior design project, and she couldn’t wait. However, she knew it would be at least a year before the construction was completed. And she’d be working with Antonio… again. Hopefully, by then they would at least be cordial.
She glanced up when the door opened, and Antonio’s tall frame filled the entryway.What is he doing here?Then it dawned on her. He was probably there for the same meeting. When the mayor said the two of them needed to meet, she didn’t think he meant this soon.
“Well, if it isn’t our star basketball player. Come on over here and give me a hug.” Mrs. Rogers jumped from her chair, hurried around her desk, and engulfed Antonio in one of her famous bear hugs.
“How are you?”
“Doing well for an old lady. You’re looking even more handsome these days. Natasha, look who’s here,” she said with a wide smile.
“Hey, Antonio.” Natasha tried to muster up a polite smile.
“Hey.”
Mrs. Rogers divided her gaze between Natasha and Antonio. “I remember when the two of you were dating. You were like two peas in a pod. I think it’s wonderful that you two will be working together on this. Antonio, have a seat. George should be just about finished with his call.”
Natasha wanted the woman to stop talking. Mrs. Rogers was so intent on her trip down memory lane, she totally missed that she was the only one excited about the reunion. Antonio took the chair farthest from Natasha and stared straight ahead.How in the world are we going to be able to pull this off?She also had to talk to him about fixing up the Ward place.
Mayor Brewer came out and extended his hand. “Natasha, Antonio. Good, you’re both here. Come on in.”
She and Antonio stood, and he gestured for her to go first. When she passed him, the scent of whatever cologne he wore floated through her nose. The man still smelled good. Inside the large room, she jumped slightly when Antonio pulled out a chair for her. “Thanks,” she mumbled. This time, he had to sit so close she could feel the heat of his body, and it had an unexpected effect on her. No way could she still be attracted to him. It had been years, and she’d moved on, as had he. Yet the way her body reacted said something entirely different.
Mayor Brewer leaned forward and folded his hands on the desk. “Let me just start by saying I’m glad things fell through with the real estate development company. I’m far more comfortable investing in our own. The only reason we approached them in the first place is because Charles didn’t want to take it on. I guess I should’ve asked if you’re willing to lead the project, Antonio.”
“He briefly mentioned the project after I accepted his offer but didn’t go into many specifics. However, I am ready to take it on, and I took the liberty of drawing up a couple of designs after getting more of the details,” Antonio said. He pushed a couple of buttons on his iPad and angled it to where they all could view it.
