Chapter Nine
Well, this hadn’t gone as planned. Turned out visiting Oceans was the highlight of my day. First that dope Matt, whom I’d stupidly screwed at the last Christmas party, had cornered me in the office, wanting to hook up again. I had to tell him as harshly as possible that it would never happen.
Then Edward informed me by text that he was considering expanding reviews to New Jersey, at which I balked violently.
I don’t cross state lines. Find someone else.
I hit Send, and without even thinking, called for a car and fled to Brooklyn, wanting to see Torre and relieve my stress with some incredible sex. My fingers pressed into my temples to stave off the dull headache that had been hovering behind my eyes since that text. I might have some apologizing to do.
And speaking of apologizing, Torre couldn’t have been less happy to see me. I figured I’d have a plate of pasta, wait for him to get off work, and we’d go to his place and fuck each other silly.
But Torre wasn’t having it. I guess he didn’t appreciate the weeks of silence, but it wasn’t as if we were dating. I didn’t know what I’d have to do to get him under me, but I wasn’t ready to give up so easily.
Then the crisis happened, and I didn’t even stop to think that I might be opening myself up to scrutiny. Torre and his brother were in trouble, and with a restaurant full of customers, thanks to my review, I couldn’t let them fail.
Spending the evening cooking, comparing recipes, and even learning some things from Luis fired my blood. A little piece of joy returned to my life for those few short hours I spent in the kitchen. My creative juices flowed, and I felt more satisfaction over my perfectly seasoned food than from any review I’d written in the past year.
Mike and Torre were having an intense conversation. If I had to guess, it involved me, as Torre sent me several sharp looks over his brother’s shoulder. I tamped down my impatience to leave and returned his dark glances with a sunny smile, as if I hadn’t a care in the world. My phone buzzed, and curious as to who’d be texting me so late, I checked.
Edward.
We need to talk. Tomorrow.
I guessed I was in for another reprimand about my attitude. For a moment, I wanted to quit and walk away. I was almost forty years old, long since past being called into what amounted to the principal’s office to be scolded for my poor behavior.
“Are you still here for any particular reason?”
I dragged my attention away from Edward’s text to see Torre standing before me with a frown.
“Yes. To see you.”
“I’m busy.” He pushed open the door, and I followed him, not bothering to say good night to Mike.
“Busy? Doing what? It’s eleven thirty at night.”
“Maybe I have a date.”
Apprehension shot through me. I sure as hell wasn’t ready to let Torre go. Not yet, but it hadn’t occurred to me that Torre might be seeing someone else.Fuck.
“Do you?”
His long-legged stride ate up the block. “No, but the point is the same. What did you expect—that you were going to come back to my place and we’d have sex again?”
A smile curved my lips. “Sounds about right.”
“Not to me. I’m not your fucking booty call.”
My smile faded when I saw he was truly upset. “I never said you were.”
We reached his house, and he pulled out his keys. “Thanks again for your help tonight.” He pushed open the gate and walked down the steps.
Alarmed that my plans seemed to be going awry, I realized I had to say something. “Hey, Torre, come on.” I followed him. “I didn’t mean that like it sounded.”
“Yeah?” He folded his arms and leaned against his door instead of unlocking it. “How did you mean it? Did you expect me to be all thrilled that you finally remembered me?” His mouth pinched tight. “Well, I’m not. Maybe I got carried away a couple of times, but I still know more about my mailman than I do about you.”
There must be something wrong with me. Here I stood, close to midnight, in Brooklyn, hoping some waiter would let me into his house so we could have sex. I didn’t beg men. They came to me.
How’s that been working for you lately? Not so good, I’m thinking. The devil snickered at my inner turmoil.
