Page 67 of A Perfect Pairing
Natasha looked at her friends, who were all smiling and making comments. “Oh, hush.” Her heart started pounding, but she couldn’t stop smiling or anticipating their trip to Tahoe.
CHAPTER 25
How are you doing over there, Grandma?” Antonio asked as they drove back home from the care facility. She’d been quiet for most of the drive.
“I’d like to say I’m fine, but I’ve never lied to you, and I don’t plan to start now. I’m angry and sad that I’m going to lose him and that one day when I visit he won’t remember me.”
His heart broke at the anguish in her voice, and he couldn’t find one word to say that would make it better or ease her pain, so he remained quiet. It made him more determined to get that facility done. He just prayed it wouldn’t be too late.
“If you love Natasha, and I know you do, don’t waste time, honey. Cherish each moment as if it’s the last one because you don’t want to ever look back and have regrets. Life is fragile, and just because she’s here today doesn’t mean she will be tomorrow. Never take that for granted. Say what you need to say, baby, then show her. Does she know you love her?”
“I hear you, and no, I haven’t told her yet.” She had to know he did, but he’d never actually said those three little words. However, he planned to tell her this weekend, because he wanted her in his life forever.
“What are you waiting for? You’ve loved that girl since you were fourteen,” she added with a chuckle.
Antonio whipped his head in her direction and met her knowing gaze. He refocused his attention on the road. Had he been that transparent back then? “I plan to tell her soon.”
She patted his knee. “Good. I always believed you two were perfect for each other.”
I believe the same thing,he thought as he turned into his parents’ driveway.
“Thanks, baby. I know you’re busy these days, and I appreciate you taking time for this old lady.”
“Never too busy for you, Grandma.”
After walking her to the cottage, Antonio hopped back in the car, stopped to gas up, then picked up Natasha. His bag was already in the trunk. It would take four or five hours to get to Lake Tahoe, and he’d wanted to be on the road by eleven. Hopefully, they’d miss most of the traffic.
Natasha walked out the door as his foot hit the first step. “Good morning. I’m ready to get this party started.”
Her bright smile and sparkling brown eyes hit him squarely in the heart, and he almost blurted the words then.Stick to the plan. “No more ready than I am.” He eased the suitcase from her hand and brushed a kiss over her lips. It wasn’t until they were back in the car that he noticed the two other bags in her hand. One was a small soft-sided cooler. “What’s in there?”
“I figured we wanted to beat traffic, so rather than stop on the way, I brought us lunch. I took a chance that pastrami on a sweet roll with extra mustard and pickles was still your favorite.”
Antonio leaned over and kissed her. “It is, and I can’t believe you remembered after all this time.”
She shrugged. “Like I told you before, I remember everything.”
This added one more piece of evidence to a growing list that proved she was the one for him. He programmed in the directions and pulled off.
They spent the drive, laughing, talking, and eating—she’d also brought double chocolate chip cookies, which were another of his favorites. When they got close, he called Lorenzo to let him know they were about ten minutes away. His friend was standing outside as Antonio turned onto the cul-de-sac, which had only four exquisitely designed log cabins. Lorenzo, who stood with his arms around a woman, directed him to the driveway of the home next to his.
“If this is what’s called roughing it, sign me up anytime,” Natasha said. “They’re gorgeous. I wonder how they found them. I’d love to find something like these to rent now and then.”
“They bought the land and built them.” Her mouth formed a perfect O, and he laughed. “Come on, baby. Let me introduce you.” He climbed out of the car and took a moment to stretch before going around to help Natasha out. Cedric came out of one of the houses across the street, holding the hand of a woman.
“Good to see you. Hope the drive wasn’t too bad,” Lorenzo said, bringing Antonio in for a one-armed hug.
Cedric repeated the gesture.
“Not too bad. We ran into two small pockets of traffic, but otherwise it was smooth.” Antonio urged Natasha forward. “Natasha, this is Lorenzo and Cedric.” He pointed to each man. “And these beautiful women must be your wives.” Lorenzo and Cedric introduced them as Desiree and Randi, respectively.
“It’s really nice to meet you all,” Natasha said. “And your homes are lovely.”
“Let’s get you guys settled, and then we can meet at my place to talk about what you need,” Cedric said.
If he was impressed by the outside, Antonio was even more impressed when he entered the spacious two-story, three-bedroom, three-bath home. “You and Zo outdid yourselves with this place.”
“Thanks. The master bedroom is upstairs. Just come on over when you’re ready.”
