Tossed Into Love
Page 16
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“Palo . . . ,” I sigh.
He shakes his head and reaches out to take my hands between both of his.
“I love you. I’ve listened to you talk about this guy since the day you started working for me. I know that you’ve had a crush on him, and I know he’s been a dick to you—which is stupid since you are one of the sweetest women I know.”
“Palo,” I whisper, feeling my chest get warm at his words.
“I swear if I didn’t like men I would make you mine. My mom would be thrilled beyond belief if I brought a girl like you home, but that’s never going to happen. Still, this guy is an idiot for not taking anything you are willing to give him,” he says.
My chest gets warmer.
“He’s had his heart broken,” I tell him, not even sure why that matters exactly. It’s the only defense I have.
“Did you break his heart?”
“Well . . . no.”
“Then he’s just an idiot. You’re not the one who hurt him. You’re Libby! Sweet, beautiful Libby. He’s a dick for treating you like crap.”
“I love you,” I blurt. His hands tighten around mine.
“Ditto, love, which is why I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll be okay,” I assure him, not sure if I’m lying or not.
“I know, in the end, you will be. But I’m worried about the time between then and now. You like this guy. You have for a long time.”
“I know . . . I also know I probably shouldn’t like him,” I admit.
“No, you shouldn’t,” he agrees.
This makes my stomach drop. He tugs my hands, forcing me closer.
“As much as it kills me to say it, you need to explore this. I’m worried about what will happen, but I know that if you don’t explore this thing between you two, you will regret it and you won’t be able to move on. So if he comes to you, listen to what he has to say, and then decide from there what to do.”
Biting my lip, I think about what he’s just said. I know he’s right. I won’t be able to move on until I figure out what’s going on between Antonio and me. I’m also scared to hear what he has to say.
“I’ll hear him out.”
“Good.” He gives my hands a squeeze. “Now I need to get back to work before Josie’s hair falls out. I left her in foils in my chair.”
I gasp. He never leaves a client.
“She’ll be okay.” He waves off my worried look and stands. “Are you done for the day?”
“I’m done here. I still need to run a few dresses back to clients,” I say as I stand.
He nods in understanding.
“Get home safe. If you talk to Antonio tonight, I expect you to tell me everything he says when I see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll call,” I say as he leans down to kiss my cheek before he leaves the office.
After leaving the salon, I head to one of my clients who lives just down the block. I drop off two dresses that she had rented out for New Year’s. Then I head to the East Side and drop off three more dresses to another client. By the time my cab pulls up outside my place, it’s already after eight in the evening. I’m not just tired—I’m exhausted. I haven’t been sleeping well these last few days. Not with everything that has happened.
I unlock the door and go inside the apartment, stopping dead when I see Mackenzie lying on the couch in a pair of sweats and a baggy T-shirt.
“Hey.” She lifts her head off the arm of the couch. I notice that her eyes are red and puffy. Then I see the mass of tissues that has collected on top of the coffee table.
“What’s going on?”
I shut the door.
She starts to sob, covering her face with her hands.
“Is the baby okay?” I ask as my stomach fills with worry.
“The baby is fine,” she whimpers, pulling her hands from her face.
“Is it Wesley?” I ask.
She covers her face once again and cries harder, making me worry about Wesley’s reaction to her being pregnant. I hope he didn’t say something about not wanting the baby. I resolve that if he did, I’ll get in a cab to go kick his ass.
Shrugging off my coat, I take a seat on the couch next to her and pull her into my arms.
“What happened?”
I rub her back and listen to her tell me about the fight she and Wesley got into this morning. A fight based on him saying that he wants to marry her but refusing to open up to her about his past. After she finishes telling me, I hold on to her as she cries. I try to comfort her. Eventually I help her up and get her into bed. Then I lie with her, listening to her tears as she continues to cry. In my gut, I know that she and Wesley will be okay—they love each other. Eventually they will find a way to work through this. Wesley will find a way to make this right. He looks at my sister like she’s the reason he’s breathing, so he will do whatever he needs to do. I just hate that they have to go through this right now—especially after just finding out they’re pregnant. Once Mac is finally asleep, I carefully get out of her bed and go to the bathroom. I change into pajamas, wash my face, and brush my hair. I leave the bedroom and shut the door, then get my cell phone so I can order some food. Seeing a text message from Antonio, I click on it as my pulse speeds up.
You haven’t texted me back. Is everything okay?
Sorry, everything is fine. I was just busy with work.
That’s okay. I’m on call this week at the station, but I was wondering if you will have dinner with me next Friday night? Seven?
I stare at the message, not sure how to reply. Part of me wants to jump at the chance to have dinner with him. The other part of me is freaked out at the prospect of having dinner with him. I don’t want him to do or say something that will hurt me again.
Risk it all . . . I remind myself quietly as I type my reply.
Sure, where do you want to meet?
I’ll pick you up at your place. We’ll go from there to the restaurant.
I’d rather meet you at the restaurant.
And I’d rather pick you up.
You’re annoying . . . Fine, I’ll see you at seven.
I press “Send,” then watch a little bubble appear, letting me know he’s writing me back again.
See you then, Princess. Sweet dreams.
Don’t call me Princess.
I type this quickly and press “Send” before calling in an order for shrimp fried rice. I have another message from him when I hang up my call. My heart thumps even harder as I read it.
You’re a girl who likes the color pink, heels, makeup, and designer clothes. A girl who wants to fall in love with your very own Prince Charming. You’re the definition of a princess.
Oh my god. He remembered what I said . . . almost word for word.
I have no comeback, so I type a vague response quickly.
Good night, Antonio. Be safe at work.
Thanks, baby.
Baby . . . ?
I stare at that one word while my stomach twists with anxiety. I know I can handle jerky Antonio—I’ve been dealing with him for years. I just don’t know if I have the strength to handle him being sweet, then letting me down by being a jerk once more. Biting my lip, I go to the fridge and pour myself a glass of wine. After I take a seat on the couch, I turn on the TV and flip through channels for something to watch while I wait for my food to arrive. I somehow end up being captivated by some stupid romantic comedy. As I watch, I root for the guy to figure out that he’s in love with the girl early on so she can get her happily ever after without the drama. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t happen. Still, in the end, it all works out.
Chapter 7
I’LL KEEP HIM BUSY . . . OH LORD
LIBBY
Hearing a knock on my apartment door, I look at the clock on my bathroom wall and see that it’s 6:20. Antonio’s early—as in really early.
Oh lord.
My heart starts to race, and my palms start to sweat. Knowing it’s now way too late to back out of dinner, I grab my robe and tie it tightly around my waist.
The last week has flown by in a flash with everything that has gone on. I’ve dealt with clients from Designer Closet, worked at the salon, met with the Realtor and the owner of the building the pizza parlor is in, spoken with a lawyer, and had discussions with the bank. I’ve also taken Mac to her prenatal appointment and played the go-between for her and Wesley. Thankfully, they’re back together. I’ve also worked at Tony’s a few times, and I had dinner with Palo last night to tell him that in two months, when I officially close on the pizzeria, I will no longer be working at the salon.
He shakes his head and reaches out to take my hands between both of his.
“I love you. I’ve listened to you talk about this guy since the day you started working for me. I know that you’ve had a crush on him, and I know he’s been a dick to you—which is stupid since you are one of the sweetest women I know.”
“Palo,” I whisper, feeling my chest get warm at his words.
“I swear if I didn’t like men I would make you mine. My mom would be thrilled beyond belief if I brought a girl like you home, but that’s never going to happen. Still, this guy is an idiot for not taking anything you are willing to give him,” he says.
My chest gets warmer.
“He’s had his heart broken,” I tell him, not even sure why that matters exactly. It’s the only defense I have.
“Did you break his heart?”
“Well . . . no.”
“Then he’s just an idiot. You’re not the one who hurt him. You’re Libby! Sweet, beautiful Libby. He’s a dick for treating you like crap.”
“I love you,” I blurt. His hands tighten around mine.
“Ditto, love, which is why I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll be okay,” I assure him, not sure if I’m lying or not.
“I know, in the end, you will be. But I’m worried about the time between then and now. You like this guy. You have for a long time.”
“I know . . . I also know I probably shouldn’t like him,” I admit.
“No, you shouldn’t,” he agrees.
This makes my stomach drop. He tugs my hands, forcing me closer.
“As much as it kills me to say it, you need to explore this. I’m worried about what will happen, but I know that if you don’t explore this thing between you two, you will regret it and you won’t be able to move on. So if he comes to you, listen to what he has to say, and then decide from there what to do.”
Biting my lip, I think about what he’s just said. I know he’s right. I won’t be able to move on until I figure out what’s going on between Antonio and me. I’m also scared to hear what he has to say.
“I’ll hear him out.”
“Good.” He gives my hands a squeeze. “Now I need to get back to work before Josie’s hair falls out. I left her in foils in my chair.”
I gasp. He never leaves a client.
“She’ll be okay.” He waves off my worried look and stands. “Are you done for the day?”
“I’m done here. I still need to run a few dresses back to clients,” I say as I stand.
He nods in understanding.
“Get home safe. If you talk to Antonio tonight, I expect you to tell me everything he says when I see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll call,” I say as he leans down to kiss my cheek before he leaves the office.
After leaving the salon, I head to one of my clients who lives just down the block. I drop off two dresses that she had rented out for New Year’s. Then I head to the East Side and drop off three more dresses to another client. By the time my cab pulls up outside my place, it’s already after eight in the evening. I’m not just tired—I’m exhausted. I haven’t been sleeping well these last few days. Not with everything that has happened.
I unlock the door and go inside the apartment, stopping dead when I see Mackenzie lying on the couch in a pair of sweats and a baggy T-shirt.
“Hey.” She lifts her head off the arm of the couch. I notice that her eyes are red and puffy. Then I see the mass of tissues that has collected on top of the coffee table.
“What’s going on?”
I shut the door.
She starts to sob, covering her face with her hands.
“Is the baby okay?” I ask as my stomach fills with worry.
“The baby is fine,” she whimpers, pulling her hands from her face.
“Is it Wesley?” I ask.
She covers her face once again and cries harder, making me worry about Wesley’s reaction to her being pregnant. I hope he didn’t say something about not wanting the baby. I resolve that if he did, I’ll get in a cab to go kick his ass.
Shrugging off my coat, I take a seat on the couch next to her and pull her into my arms.
“What happened?”
I rub her back and listen to her tell me about the fight she and Wesley got into this morning. A fight based on him saying that he wants to marry her but refusing to open up to her about his past. After she finishes telling me, I hold on to her as she cries. I try to comfort her. Eventually I help her up and get her into bed. Then I lie with her, listening to her tears as she continues to cry. In my gut, I know that she and Wesley will be okay—they love each other. Eventually they will find a way to work through this. Wesley will find a way to make this right. He looks at my sister like she’s the reason he’s breathing, so he will do whatever he needs to do. I just hate that they have to go through this right now—especially after just finding out they’re pregnant. Once Mac is finally asleep, I carefully get out of her bed and go to the bathroom. I change into pajamas, wash my face, and brush my hair. I leave the bedroom and shut the door, then get my cell phone so I can order some food. Seeing a text message from Antonio, I click on it as my pulse speeds up.
You haven’t texted me back. Is everything okay?
Sorry, everything is fine. I was just busy with work.
That’s okay. I’m on call this week at the station, but I was wondering if you will have dinner with me next Friday night? Seven?
I stare at the message, not sure how to reply. Part of me wants to jump at the chance to have dinner with him. The other part of me is freaked out at the prospect of having dinner with him. I don’t want him to do or say something that will hurt me again.
Risk it all . . . I remind myself quietly as I type my reply.
Sure, where do you want to meet?
I’ll pick you up at your place. We’ll go from there to the restaurant.
I’d rather meet you at the restaurant.
And I’d rather pick you up.
You’re annoying . . . Fine, I’ll see you at seven.
I press “Send,” then watch a little bubble appear, letting me know he’s writing me back again.
See you then, Princess. Sweet dreams.
Don’t call me Princess.
I type this quickly and press “Send” before calling in an order for shrimp fried rice. I have another message from him when I hang up my call. My heart thumps even harder as I read it.
You’re a girl who likes the color pink, heels, makeup, and designer clothes. A girl who wants to fall in love with your very own Prince Charming. You’re the definition of a princess.
Oh my god. He remembered what I said . . . almost word for word.
I have no comeback, so I type a vague response quickly.
Good night, Antonio. Be safe at work.
Thanks, baby.
Baby . . . ?
I stare at that one word while my stomach twists with anxiety. I know I can handle jerky Antonio—I’ve been dealing with him for years. I just don’t know if I have the strength to handle him being sweet, then letting me down by being a jerk once more. Biting my lip, I go to the fridge and pour myself a glass of wine. After I take a seat on the couch, I turn on the TV and flip through channels for something to watch while I wait for my food to arrive. I somehow end up being captivated by some stupid romantic comedy. As I watch, I root for the guy to figure out that he’s in love with the girl early on so she can get her happily ever after without the drama. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t happen. Still, in the end, it all works out.
Chapter 7
I’LL KEEP HIM BUSY . . . OH LORD
LIBBY
Hearing a knock on my apartment door, I look at the clock on my bathroom wall and see that it’s 6:20. Antonio’s early—as in really early.
Oh lord.
My heart starts to race, and my palms start to sweat. Knowing it’s now way too late to back out of dinner, I grab my robe and tie it tightly around my waist.
The last week has flown by in a flash with everything that has gone on. I’ve dealt with clients from Designer Closet, worked at the salon, met with the Realtor and the owner of the building the pizza parlor is in, spoken with a lawyer, and had discussions with the bank. I’ve also taken Mac to her prenatal appointment and played the go-between for her and Wesley. Thankfully, they’re back together. I’ve also worked at Tony’s a few times, and I had dinner with Palo last night to tell him that in two months, when I officially close on the pizzeria, I will no longer be working at the salon.
