“Oh,” he said, his smile fading. “They come back a few times usually during the summer so if you miss them tonight, you can always catch them next time. I better get back. I had a pick-up to do, but I like taking a walk down the boardwalk during lunch if I can get out. We’re getting busy, so I won’t get many lunch breaks.” His eyes lingered on mine. “I’m sure you know Joe signed the lease this week. Looks like we’re partners.”
“Yes…for the summer,” I stammered, forcing a smile in hopes of appearing relaxed.
“About that, I figured I’d come by the hotel around ten on Monday. We could talk about what you have out for estimate and go over what else we would need. Is that all right with you?”
He ran his hand over his chin, the bristles of his beard longer than when I’d seen him the other day. It brought my attention back to his mouth. This almost felt like a teenage crush—the awkwardness I felt in his presence and the need to both be close to him and as far away as possible.
In only a few days, the interactions between us had stirred up more old feelings—feelings that never went away and now taunted me whenever he was close.
“That’s fine. Come to the hotel, and we can meet in the office.”
“I’ll do that,” he said, his voice was soft before he backed away, his gaze still fixed on me. “Very nice to see you, Moira. You ladies have fun this weekend.” He smiled, waiting a long minute before finally turning around and heading in the opposite direction.
“Don’t,” I told my sister as I tried to get a handle on my breathing.
“Don’t what? I don’t even know where to start, Theodora.”
“Ugh,” A gagging noise erupted from the back of my throat. I hated my full name and my sister loved to invoke it whenever she wanted to prove a point. “It’s fine—”
“It isnotfine. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you and you can barely look at him. And crossing your arms doesn’t stop your hands from shaking. You’ve done that since you were a kid.” She pointed at the table on the corner. “Sit.”
I slid onto the concrete bench without a word.
“Hear me out. And this is going to sound like an odd suggestion, but did you ever think about clearing the air with him a bit? Like getting it all out there between the two of you before you have to attempt a business relationship?” She kicked my ankle until I lifted my head.
“We did. Sort of.” I cocked my head from side to side. “He wanted to have lunch so it all wouldn’t be so awkward.”
“Well, that didn’t work. Did youreallytalk or was it the same painful conversation I just suffered through with you?” She drummed her fingers on the table.
“He talked for the most part. He said losing me was his biggest regret and he wanted to be friends while I was here. I told him while we were here we could be friends, but…” I trailed off, knowing what she was going to say.
“But you didn’t respond to the bomb he left on your lap?”
I rolled my eyes. “It wasn’t a bomb.”
“Honey, we were all there with you through the whole thing. You expected him to come home for months, and it destroyed you when he didn’t. I told you to talk to him when he called you and at least let him know.”
“And what good would that have done? He didn’t want me or need me, and he’s doing wonderful now,withoutme,” I spat out, the anger boiling in my gut with every word.
“He didn’t leave you for anyone else. Didn’t cheat, didn’t string you along—”
“And in a lot of ways that’s worse!” I cupped my forehead, trying to get a handle on the swirl of emotions in my restless stomach. “He left because I wasn’t enough for him.”
She rested her elbows on the table and leaned closer. “And you never let yourself be angry at him for it because he was so shattered when his mother died. And now, he’s the Dom we all remember. The same charismatic, good-looking bastard, who is seeking you out again,” she pointed a finger at me, “whether or not you realize that.”
“I realize it,” I allowed. “He volunteered to be the point person for construction on the restaurant, so we’ll see each other even more.” My head fell back as I sucked in a breath. “I’m only here for the summer. He can seek all he wants.”
“We’re going to his restaurant tonight.”
My head whipped to hers. “No, we’re not.”
“Yes, we are. I love a good cover band. And when he lingers around you like he did just now, you’re going to find the lady balls to tell him how pissed you still are at him and how hard it was for you after he left. That is the only way this project has a chance of being the least bit bearable for you.” She let out a long breath, a sad smile pulling at her lips. “Maybe even tell him about—”
“No.” My jaw clenched as my sister reared back. “I can admit how angry I am, but he doesn’t need to know that.” I straightened in my seat, vehemently shaking my head. “That won’t help anything.”
“All right,” she conceded. “I’ll save that argument for another day. Come on.” She slapped my hand. “Fuck the wine coolers. I’ll get some vodka and cranberry juice and you can drink up some courage.”
11
