“What was your excuse when she was pregnant and you guys had ‘meetings’?” I raised my fingers in air quotes.
Joe’s lips pursed, yet he didn’t utter a peep of denial. “This is why we need to get you a hobby. For someone who’s supposed to be so busy, you sure as hell find time to be nosy. ”
“Hey, it’s a good plan. If you have enough kids, in a few years we won’t need busboys.”
I caught the towel he threw at my head and ambled into the dining area. Although I teased the shit out of him, I was nothing but happy for Joe and his wife and the family they’d started. Hell, I’d pushed him toward that life, because I knew what it was like to live with regrets.
As much as I tried to cover it up, I was too tired to pretend that it didn’t suck.
2
Thea
What doyou wear to a business meeting with the man who destroyed you four years ago?
I pursed my lips out in disgust at my reflection in the mirror. The pile of clothes strewn haphazardly on my bed taunted me from behind.
I’d spent my morning practicing faces in the mirror. The urge to jump out of my skin was visceral, yet I had to find a way to appear relaxed and professional. My attempts at aloof, bored, and overly enthusiastic appeared just as fake as they felt.
I’d heard through the grapevine that Dominic was still helping Joe run his new restaurant on the Jersey shore. I suffered through stories of how much a change of scenery and a new life helped him deal with his grief.
He’d said he was staying at the shore indefinitely, but what he’d meant was permanently.
No matter how much it killed me to admit, leaving healed him in ways that I never could.
Not able to stand myself anymore, I left the mountains of dresses on my bed and headed into the kitchen to force down some breakfast.
My company had provided me with a modest rental for the next couple of months with a sweet view of the beach. I’d been thinking of my new assignment as a semi-vacation, until my boss mentioned the restaurant we’d be working with.
My phone buzzed across the kitchen counter as I set up the one-cup coffee machine. Smiling at the photo of my best friend, Sue, drifting across the screen, I pressed the accept button and exhaled, yearning for a friendly voice.
“You’re up early. I didn’t think teachers woke up before nine during the summer.”
“Teachers with two-year-old sons don’t get to sleep in, no matter what season it is. How are you holding up?”
“Fine,” I lied as I leaned against the edge of the kitchen counter. “Not exactly the relaxing beach getaway I’d anticipated, but I’ll deal.”
“Of course, you will. You’re a badass boss lady.”
“Oh yeah. I feel really badass right now. Would you believe I practiced faces in the mirror for a good twenty minutes this morning and changed dresses three times? I’m going to be too busy at this new hotel to entertain this nonsense on a daily basis.” I shook my head as I poured creamer into my steaming coffee mug.
“You’re seeing the man who broke your heart for the first time in four years. You’re allowed to be a little shaken up. After today, it will just be business as usual.” I heard Jared, Sue’s son, babble into the phone. “Stop J, I need to give Aunt Thea a pep talk.”
A laugh bubbled out of my chest, relaxing me if only for the moment.
“I’m fine. Honestly. Good job on the pep talk. Lots of affirming words.”
“How’s this? You’re gorgeous and Dominic Gallo is going to eat his heart out. Go back to the mirror, and tell yourself that.”
“I’m not very believable, but I’ll try,” I sighed. “Thanks, Sue.”
I hung up, swirling the last drops of coffee in my mug. I had a job to do. This hotel and restaurant would open on budget and without a hitch.
I’d be badass even if it killed me.
* * *
“Thea, over here!”Violet, the Halston Hotel manager, waved me over to her table. My heart pounded in my ears, and I had to put a ridiculous amount of effort in keeping my breathing even after I’d stepped through the door of The Beach Pub. The hostess gave me the go ahead to sit when I pointed to Violet’s table, and I made my way over, eying my surroundings for the familiar face I’d dreaded seeing for weeks. Sue was right, once the initial shock wore off, I’d get used to seeing Dominic again.
