“Grandma, you like to paint. Are you going to do it?” Nova asked Carmela.
“Yes, of course,” Carmela said. “You can help me.”
I looked up in time to see Nova nod excitedly.
Board by board, Cutter and I cut and replaced the damaged boards. At least no one would fall through any rotted boards, which I was proud of, but mostly, being able to teach Cutter how to measure, use the table saw, and build something with his hands made me feel like I had a different purpose in his life.
Antonia had asked me to be there for him, and if this was one of the ways I could, then so be it. I’d rebuild the entire house if that was what it took.
At some point, she’d come outside and sat next to her mom, with Nova now on her lap. I tried not to watch her, especially knowing she had a boyfriend. Any attraction I felt needed to subside because nothing would ever come from it, except the pang in my heart at knowing she wasn’t available.
When it came time for us to work where the rockers were, I was relieved when Cutter asked Antonia and Carmela to move. For some reason, the thought of having to talk to Antonia put a lump in my throat. Pretty asinine when I thought about it. We’d spoken before without any issues.
“Do you want to have dinner with us tonight?” Cutter’s question pulled me from my thoughts. “Toni is getting us pizza.”
“Um . . .”
“I know my mom can’t pay you for this work, so this would be like a payment.”
I nodded and accepted his invitation. The last thing I wanted was for Cutter or Miriam to think they owed me anything. As soon as I said I would join his family for dinner, he went over to Toni. He looked excited while talking to her, even though I tried not to stare.
“Everything okay?” I asked when he came back.
“Yep. Eleni is coming for dinner, too, so I was just giving Toni an update.”
“If you need me to go get the pizza, let me know.”
“Coach, you’ve done a lot. Toni will get it.”
“Okay, this is the last one, I think.” I handed the board to Cutter. “Once we get this one nailed down, we’ll check the others, mark them, and then do them next weekend, weather permitting.”
“We have a game on Saturday,” he reminded me.
“Sunday it is then.”
Antonia had taken Nova into the house and came back out with her purse over her shoulder. “Be right back, Mom,” she hollered and then walked toward us. “I’m going to get the pizza,” she said. “I also ordered two large salads and cheesy bread, and I’ll pick up a couple of bottles of soda. Anything else?”
I looked from Antonia to Cutter. We both shook our heads. “I think that about covers it.”
“Thanks, Toni,” Cutter said.
“Yes, thank you.”
She held my gaze for a second and then looked away. As much as I wanted to watch her walk to her car, I refrained. I was going to need a good night out with the guys to get over this infatuation.
Cutter and I finished, and I told him to go in and clean up while I took care of everything outside. I knew exactly how much he would freak out if he didn’t look his best for Eleni. When I was his age, I had Brianna, who was always dressed up for school or anytime she’d come over to my house. She made me feel like I needed to look the same, but I couldn’t bring myself to dress like I was going to work. I think, in my senior year of high school, I wore sweatpants to school every day.
Antonia pulled back into the driveway just as I was closing the tailgate of my truck. I walked to the car and waited for her to shut it off before I opened her door.
“Thank you.” She smiled. Her eyes held mine for a long beat, and my knees threatened to buckle.
“My pleasure.” Antonia moved to the side and opened the back door. I shut the driver’s side and held my hands out for the food. “Smells good.”
“Gio’s has such amazing food. It’s my favorite.”
“You’ve had it before?”
Antonia nodded. “Usually, every time I’m here.”
