“That’s not a problem for me, but are you sure you’ll be able to do it?”
Not really, but he didn’t want to fight with her anymore today. “Yep. So how about we go back to the house and you can show me what we need to do?” They sat a moment longer in comfortable silence, reminding him of how it used to be whenever an issue arose between them. No matter what, they had always been able to work out their differences, and he hoped he could get himself together so it could happen now. He studied her as she stared out at the water, his old memories and emotions rising. Before his action could register with his brain, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. Antonio couldn’t decide who was more shocked, him or her.What the hell…?He cleared his throat, hopped up, and extended his hand. He’d promised Uncle Charles he’d keep the same level of integrity the business always had, and he’d do whatever it took to make it happen. Minus impromptu kisses or anything else. He chalked the impulsive act up to some deep automatic response from how it used to be with them.
Natasha hesitated briefly, then placed her hand in his as he helped her up.
“And I’ll try to refrain from acting like abutthead.” Antonio slanted her an amused look. He still couldn’t believe she’d called him that. Natasha had never been afraid to say what was on her mind. Apparently, that hadn’t changed either.
“I’ll go with that.”
A smile lit her face and hit him squarely in the chest. Not good. A working relationship he could handle. But nothing else.
CHAPTER 6
Saturday afternoon, Natasha activated the speakerphone function on her cell and continued the conversation with her mother while she changed clothes. She’d been trying, unsuccessfully, to get her off the phone for the past ten minutes. However, Natasha couldn’t get a word in edgewise as her mother continued her rant. “Mom,” she interrupted, “I had planned to call and let you know about my good news this weekend. Things have been a little busy.” Not to mention the shock of seeing Antonio again.
“I just don’t know why I had to hear it from Bernice instead of you,” her mother fussed.
She rolled her eyes and pulled on her jeans. “Mom—”
“And she also told me Antonio is back for good and that he’s taking over Davenport’s construction company.”
“Yes, he’s back.” Although her parents had relocated to Arizona to be near her paternal grandmother two years ago, Glenda Baldwin still knew all the Firefly Lake gossip, and most times, before Natasha.
“And how is it going? She said you two will be working together on those new condos the town is building, and I remember how hurt you were when you two broke up.”
Complicated. Confusing. “It’s going okay. I won’t have anything to do until it’s completed, and that won’t be for at least a year. But there’s another house we’re doing now.”
“Oh?”
“Chase is putting Ms. Velda’s house up for sale, and it needs a lot of fixing up.”
“And Antonio is going to be the one doing it,” she finished.
“Yes, with a small crew.” Since their truce a few days ago, Antonio had been a little more open and had even smiled at her once or twice. She still couldn’t forget the soft kiss on her cheek. It had caught her totally off guard, and for a moment she’d been transported back to the times when that kiss promised things would be okay whenever something upset or bothered her. He’d seemed just as shocked, and by the way he jumped up right afterward, clearly he’d regretted it.
“Natasha!”
She was so lost in her thoughts, Natasha had completely forgotten about her mother. “I’m here.”
“Are you okay? You’re not over there daydreaming about Antonio like when you were younger, are you?”
“Um, yes, I’m fine, and no.” Daydreaming wasn’t the right word. More like trying to figure out how they’d keep the relationship on a smooth and even keel. “Mom, I really need to get going. I’m already late for our supper club meetup.”
Her mother laughed. “Oh, all right. That Serenity can cook. Tell her, Dana, and Terri I said hello.”
“I will.”
“Oh, and can you please let me know about anything else going on with you before the rest of the town hears?”
She smiled. “Yes, Mother. Tell Dad hi. Love you both.”
“Love you, too, baby.”
Natasha shook her head and ended the call. After lacing up her sneakers, she grabbed her purse and keys and left.
Dana and Terri were already there when she arrived. “Sorry I’m late. My mom called fussing because Ms. Bernice told her about the condos before I did.” She hugged each woman, then asked Serenity, “Where’s Gabriel?”
“Next door. He said he’d let us have our girls’ night alone this time.” Gabriel and Serenity had decided to keep Gabriel’s house and use it for their families and friends who came to visit.
