Page 10 of Endless Love

FIVE

Willow

At sundown on Saturday, the deli was packed with people young and old. There were families with children and babies, grandparents, young professionals as well as college kids and some local street people. Every table and seat was taken and the noise level was high. My father was in his element, hopping from table to table, to see if everyone had enough to eat. Trust me, they did. There was nothing my father loved more than to feed people. And watch them enjoy eating his food. There was a word in Yiddish for my big-hearted father: a mensch.

Dressed comfortably in black leggings, an oversized sweater, and ballet flats, I was helping the staff lug platters of lox and bagels to the hungry patrons. One eye stayed on the front door—anxiously awaiting Ryan. It was going on eight o’clock. Maybe he had changed his mind and wouldn’t show up.

Then, as I lowered a platter onto one of the tables, a warm breath dusted the nape of my neck. I whirled around. My heart did a grand jeté at the sight of the man facing me. Ryan! A Cheshire grin lit up his beautiful face.

“Hi.”

I don’t know how long my mouth stayed open in shock before I said “hi” back. My heart thudded as goosebumps popped along my arms. God, he was gorgeous. He was wearing faded black jeans that molded to his thighs like a second skin and an open charcoal blazer. Beneath his jacket, his chiseled chest peeked out from the V of his pale blue T-shirt. He looked so damn sexy!

“Would you like a bagel and lox?” I asked, not yet having eaten a thing myself.

“Sure.” He grabbed one and bit into it. I watched as he swallowed. He licked a smidgeon of cream cheese off his sensuous lips.

“Wow! This is good.”

“Thanks. Mel’s has the best Nova in the city.”

“Nova?”

“As in Nova Scotia Lox…smoked salmon.” I smiled, charmed by his naiveté.

“Right.” He grinned back with embarrassment.

My eyes stayed on him while he finished the sandwich. His fine upbringing was evident by the way he gracefully held the bagel in his elegant, long-fingered hands and chewed his food quietly.

When he was done, there was still a drop of cream cheese on his upper lip. With my thumb, I wiped it away, relishing the softness of his velvety lips. Hot tingles bombarded me as he shot me a grateful smile. There must have been over one hundred diners in the restaurant, but I only had eyes for one.

“Good to see you here, Mr. Madewell. Have yourself another bagel.”

I spun around. Coming our way was my father with a wide smile broadcast across his face. He, too, was carrying a large tray of bagels and lox.

“Thanks.” Ryan helped himself to another bagel and bit into it.

“How’s my daughter treating you?” asked Pop.

With the chunk of the bagel and lox masticating in his mouth, he couldn’t say a word. Nodding, he gave Pop a thumbs-up.

“She’s a beauty, isn’t she? Just like her mother, may she rest in peace.”

Ryan’s twinkling blue eyes met mine as he swallowed. He nodded again. “Totally.”

I felt my cheeks flush. Did this gorgeous, talented Adonis really think I was beautiful? Or was he just placating my father?

Then suddenly, I felt lightheaded. Everything around me became a messy blur, and the noise around me reduced to a din. Beads of sweat clustered all over my body as all the blood in my head rushed to my feet. It got worse. Like a swarm of bugs, little black dots clouded my vision.

“Pumpkin, what’s wrong?” I heard my alarmed father say, but words stayed trapped in my throat as the black dots multiplied and I grew dizzier.

The noise drowned out as everything turned to darkness. And then my knees buckled. I was going down! Spiraling to the floor like a limp strand of spaghetti. Just before I crashed onto the hard wood, two strong hands caught me. I blinked my eyes open and the next thing I knew I was in Ryan Madewell’s arms, blanketed against his buttery cashmere jacket.

My father brushed a few stray strands of hair off my forehead. “Pumpkin, you just fainted. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I managed, finding my voice. But truthfully, I felt weak and queasy.

Ryan’s eyes stayed fixed on mine. “Sir, I think she should lie down.”

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