But I’d done what I had to do, right? Someone as amazing as she was shouldn’t be mixed up with a felon. She said she was in love with me, but that would fade. She had so much ahead of her. I’d be barely a blip soon enough.
She’d move on, but she’d always be everything to me. I fooled myself for a while thinking that we could just be together and not have my past come back to haunt us. I never wanted us to end, but once the truth was out, I could barely look her in the eye.
Until I couldn’t talk to Victoria anymore, I didn’t realize how many times during the day I’d pick up my phone to shoot her a text about a ton of different things. When I cut off the love of my life, I’d lost my best friend. After how amazing the last two months with Victoria were, the last week was empty and unbearable.
I pushed open the front door of the shop and found Victoria at the front desk. The bell on the top of the door was too loud and annoying not to hear, but she still wouldn’t look up. After not seeing her or speaking to her for a few days, the weight of her presence barreled over me. I almost had to stop myself from pulling her into my arms for a kiss hello, but we didn’t evensayhello anymore.
Her beauty, inside and out, was my punishment.
She scribbled on a pad before she focused on the computer screen, lifting a plain cup of coffee to her lips with her other hand. She hated the coffee in the office, but now, I guessed she hated me more.
Her green eyes were tired and rimmed with red. I didn’t deserve her tears or the love I threw back in her face. The urge to wrap my arms around her and take it all back was so powerful, I had to force myself to stay upright and not collapse onto my knees in front of her desk. But I’d hurt her enough, and letting her go was something I could barely do once. I wouldn’t be strong enough to do it a second time.
“Good morning, Anthony,” Josh said from behind me. I turned toward his wary gaze. He’d caught me staring at Victoria before I realized I was even doing it.
“Hey, Josh. I know it’s a busy day, so I’ll get to work.”
He caught my arm before I headed into the garage. “In a minute. First, come into my—”
“Merry Christmas!” Josh’s Uncle Billy bellowed from the door. I’d almost forgotten about the holiday dinner tonight. Josh ran the place, but his uncle was the official owner and came up every Christmas from the main shop in Charleston to take the entire New York staff to a steakhouse in Manhattan.
“When did you get in? I said I’d pick you up at the airport.” Josh rushed over to his uncle and gave him a hug. He was an older man but still full of life with a booming voice. I’d met him once, back when I first started, and he was impossible not to like. Falco’s was definitely a family shop, and that’s how we were all treated.
I had the sinking feeling that after what happened with Victoria and me, maybe Josh was about to ask me to leave.
“Why? The cab took fifteen minutes.” The door shut behind him with another clang of the bell at the top. “There she is!” He marched over to a now standing Victoria with his arms open wide. “There’s my girl! Come over here and give your favorite uncle a hug!”
She laughed before she fell into his embrace. The sound gutted me in half. I loved her laugh and lived to tease her to bring it out, back when she was acknowledging my existence.
He clutched her shoulders before pushing her back. “Let me look at you.” His smile faded as he shook his head. “So beautiful. Did I tell you that you were allowed to grow up?” He looped an arm around her shoulder and glanced back at Josh. “You’re keeping her away from boys, right?”
“Easier said than done,” he said, heaving a long sigh before meeting my gaze for a telling moment.
Billy looked between the two of us with a pinched brow.
“I was about to talk to Anthony about something.”
“Oh hey, son. Sorry, I was so happy to see my niece and nephew, I didn’t notice you were standing there.”
“It’s all good, Billy. Nice to see you, again.” I extended my hand for him to shake.
“I better see you at dinner tonight.” He put his arm back around her when he dropped my hand. “Come on, Victoria. Let’s have a late breakfast across the street. You can tell me about all your smart friends in college and the smart shit you do.” He led Victoria out of the shop by the hand, leaving Josh and me in an uncomfortable silence.
He motioned to his office with a tilt of his head, and I followed.
“Close the door before you sit,” he told me as he made his way to the back of his desk.
I pushed it shut and fell into the folding chair in front of his desk.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” he asked, leaning on the desk with his elbows as he studied me.
“Sorry for…starting something up with Victoria. I knew you were against it, and I should have respected your wishes. It’s over, and if you let me stay on, I’ll keep my distance.”
“Let you stay on? Anthony, your relationship with my daughter has nothing to do with your employment here. Am I upset she’s hurt? Yes. I’m her father. Also, waiting to tell me was a little pointless since I knew from the beginning.”
I dropped my gaze and nodded.
