“Antonio—”
“We don’t need to talk until the building goes up.”
She sighed. “Look, I’m sor—”
He held up a hand. “Aside from this project, we have nothing to say to each other.” He opened his mouth to tell her that even then, he’d prefer to handle most of their communication by email, but Mayor Brewer rushed over with a wide grin and his hand extended. The man had been on the town council when Antonio left home and, according to his mother, was elected mayor six years ago.
Mayor Brewer smiled at Natasha. “Great idea, Natasha.”
“Thanks. Um… I’ll let you two talk.” She glanced up at Antonio with what looked like regret, then walked away.
Antonio watched her go and told himself it was too little, too late for any regrets or apologies.
“Welcome home, Antonio.”
“Thanks.” The man pumped Antonio’s hand so hard, he thought it would fall off. “If you’re not busy next week, I’d like to get on your calendar to discuss the condo project.”
“Come by my office on Monday afternoon around two, if that fits your schedule.”
He nodded. “I’ll be there.”
“Well, let me go find my assistant before she leaves and tell her, so I don’t add something else to my schedule. The old mind isn’t what it used to be. See you later.”
Antonio chuckled and watched him navigate through the throng of people who’d stood around in groups talking while taking advantage of the refreshments that were always provided for the meeting.
“Glad you’re back home, little brother.”
He spun around and saw his brother, Nathaniel. “I was wondering when I’d see you.” The two men embraced. Although two years younger, at six four, Antonio eclipsed Nate’s height by three inches and never let him forget it. “I figured you would’ve been at dinner Monday.”
“Mom invited us, but I had to work late and April had a teacher’s meeting.” Nathaniel’s wife taught third grade.
Antonio opened his mouth to ask about his four-year-old niece, Noelle, then saw her running in his direction.
“Uncle Tony!” she squealed, launching herself at him.
Smiling, he bent and caught her up in his arms and kissed her cheek. She wrapped her little arms around his neck and held on tight. “How’s my baby girl? I can’t believe how much you’ve grown.” She had just turned two the last time he’d seen her, but he made a point to FaceTime her weekly so she wouldn’t forget him. He’d missed her tremendously, and seeing her beautiful smile had been one of his reasons for returning home.
“Good. I’m four now.” Noelle held up four fingers close to his face. “Are you going to come to my house before you go on the airplane back to your house?”
He laughed. “Yep, I’m coming to your house. And I’ll tell you a secret.”
Noelle’s eyes lit up. “What? I won’t tell nobody.” She leaned her ear closer.
“I’m going to live here now.”
“Yay! Daddy, Uncle Tony is gonna live here. He’s not going on the airplane.”
Antonio and Nate broke out in laughter, and Nate said, “I thought you said you weren’t going to tell anyone?”
She slapped a hand over her mouth and giggled. “Oops.”
Antonio patted her back. “That’s okay. I’m sure everybody already knows.”
“Especially all the single women,” Nate said with a chuckle. “I see you still have them chasing you.”
He shook his head and sighed. “Mom mentioned something about it.” He was certain his mother had spread the news of his return the moment he told her.
“And Natasha?”
