“I know. And I appreciate it. I should try and get a few hours of good sleep before facing the media tomorrow. I’ll see you bright and early.”
“You sure will. Good night, Keeley.”
“Night, Sal.”
Neither of us moves for a beat until Sal clears his throat and removes his hand, his knuckles white when he curls his fingers around the steering wheel again.
Sal and I could talk for hours without stopping, our conversations always flowing and comfortable. Until it comes to these little moments. The blips in our otherwise professional relationship.
This isn’t the first instance we’ve lost time due to lingering touches or staring into each other’s eyes for longer than we should. And I know with absolute certainty that it won’t be the last.
While it’s not something either of us has ever acknowledged out loud, I’ve thought about it often. I’ve even concluded that it stems from my complete lack of a love life and the fact that Sal’s an incredibly handsome man.
He’ll be fifty-two this year, but other than the salt and pepper in his hair and laugh lines decorating his skin, you wouldn’t know it.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’ve thought about what it would be like to take things further between us. It’s impossible not to. You’d be hard-pressed to find a woman that isn’t attracted to him or his charm.
Only, it’s not meant to be. There’s too much standing in the way, and I’d never let a quick, or not so quick fuck ruin the relationship we have. It means too much to me.Hemeans too much to me. Things are perfect exactly as they are.
“Night,” I repeat, reaching for the door handle until Sal stops me, his hand shooting out to curl around my arm.
“Wait.”
I smile at his touch, and I don’t have to ask to know what’s coming. “You don’t have to do this every time I get out of the car.” I giggle, the tension in the air dissipating slightly.
“I know I don’t have to. Iwantto. What am I if not a gentleman?” He smirks and my laughter grows.
“Fine. I’ll wait.”
“Thank you.”
He jumps out and jogs around the car, standing behind the door as he opens it. There was a time when he used to offer me his hand too, until Paige convinced him he was taking his chivalry a little too far. He opens the door for her too. And his ex. And any other females he might have in his car. Although, most of the time he has a driver, so it’s his driver’s responsibility. Either way, it’s sweet and I’m happy to indulge him.
“Now we can say good night.” He nods in thanks. “I’m sorry I forgot myself for a moment.”
“Look at you oozing old-school charm.”
“Good night, Keeley.”
“Night, boss.” I wink and he shakes his head, waiting for me to get settled in my car before walking around to his driver’s side door and climbing inside. He lifts a finger in a wave as I drive past, and I can’t stop my eyes from drifting to the rearview mirror.
Sal is like no man I have ever met. And it’s not only the fact that he’s almost twenty years older than most of the guys I know… He’s real. Honest. And way more decent than he gives himself credit for. He’s convinced himself that he no longer deserves love after fucking it up the first time, and he won’t be told otherwise. I’ve tried. I doubt he even allows himself many of life’s little pleasures anymore. It’s all work and no play when it comes to Salvatore D’Angelo. The only people that ever get his time outside of the workplace are Paige and Isaac.
Although, for all I know, he could be in a casual relationship that he’s keeping on the down-low. It’s not like the topic of his love life comes up regularly. After our initial discussion where he proclaimed to forever be a bachelor, we haven’t spoken aboutit. Things may have changed since then. Though I doubt it. I’m a workaholic and whenever I’m here, so is Sal. If he did have a woman in his life, I can’t imagine she’d be too happy about their situation.
My phone chimes with a text as I’m pulling up to my building, and when I stop, I glance down to see a message from Hayley.
“Shit.” Here I am thinking about Sal’s goddamn love life when we have far more important things to worry about.
Zane’s missing. Sure, he claims he’s okay, but I have no doubt he’s hurting. First thing tomorrow I plan to track him down. Whether he wants to be found or not.
Chapter Four
SALVATORE
My leg bounces as I pretend to be listening to Hayley and Reed’s discussion about the unseasonal weather. They’re trying to distract themselves, and if it was another time, I might partake in the conversation. Right now, though, I couldn’t give a fuck how much rain they’ve forecast for the next few days. All I can think about is getting this plane off the ground. And fast.
Where is she?
