Page 71 of A Perfect Pairing
He laughed. “That is a thought. But since I already told her I had something to tell the family, she’d hound me until I did.”
Joining in his laughter, she said, “Good point. Maybe your dad can help her keep a lid on it. Oh, and can we do dinner later tomorrow? I’m going over to Serenity’s after work. We’re going shopping.”
“Of course. I’ll change the reservation to seven, instead of six. Will that be enough time?” While preparing meals together had become a special time for them, he still wanted to go out as well. Tomorrow they’d decided on the steakhouse in town.
“Plenty, thank you. And guess what? I’m meeting with another potential client.” She did a little squeal. “This is the fifth one. George has already approved me going down to thirty-two hours a week.”
Antonio grinned. “Congratulations, baby. I’m so happy you’re getting all the new business. Pretty soon you’ll be looking for office space for your own business.” He kissed her hand but didn’t let go. If he had his way, it would be someplace near his. But if she couldn’t find what she wanted, he’d build it for her. He’d do anything for her. Now that the house was finished, he didn’t see her as often during the weekdays, and he missed her.
She let out a satisfied sigh. “That would be something. It feels like those dreams we talked about in your fort all those years ago are finally coming true. And as I said before, I don’t plan to let anything stop me this time.”
She was the best part of that dream for him by far. He parked in front of the house and reached into the back seat for his laptop case.
“Okay, let’s do this.” Natasha almost beat him to the door.
His father answered the doorbell and pulled Natasha into a bear hug. “Hey, Tasha. How’s it going, son? You two come on in. Your mother is driving me crazy, wondering what this is about.”
“She’ll find out in a minute,” Antonio said. As soon as he rounded the corner to the family room, his mom leaped up from her favorite recliner with a huge grin on her face. “Hey, everybody.”
Her gaze went from Antonio to Natasha and back to him again. “I hope this is the news I’ve been waiting for.”
“Exactly what news is that?” He knew exactly what she meant, and if all went as he planned, that would be the next bit of news he’d share.
She swatted him on the arm. “Don’t play with me, Antonio Jamal Hayes.”
Nate chuckled.
Antonio hugged her. “That’s not it, Mom. This is something else.”
Her face fell, and Natasha said, “It’ll be just as good, trust me.” Natasha hunkered down in front of his grandmother while he opened the file to the 3D image of the proposed facility.
“When I took Grandma to visit Grandpa, she said something to me that got me thinking.” He turned the computer around so she could see it. “This is going to be the new memory care facility here in Firefly Lake. It’ll be built on the old grocery store plot next to the hospital.”
Grandma Nora gripped his hand, and tears filled her eyes. “How did you…? When…?” She shook her head.
His family bombarded him with questions, which he patiently answered. “It will resemble a neighborhood, instead of an actual medical facility.”
“The common dining hall will be a restaurant-type building, and there will be a small store and a park area with a walking path,” Natasha finished, staring up at him. “This grandson of yours is incredible, and I am so proud of him.”
Her words made Antonio feel as if he could do anything and filled his heart until it overflowed.
His father shook his head. “Son, this is a huge undertaking. How are you going to manage this and the condo project? The company isn’t that large, and as much as I love this idea, I don’t want you to spread yourself too thin.”
“That was my question, too,” Nate said. “Along with who’s going to put up the finances.”
Antonio and Natasha shared a smile. He said, “It’s all been covered—they wish to remain anonymous—and some friends of mine who own a construction company in Sacramento will build it. Their company is much larger, and it will cut the time down considerably to what I could do.” He turned back to his grandmother. “I just hope Grandpa gets to be part of it.”
His mother rushed over and engulfed him in a crushing hug. “Oh, baby, I’m so very proud of you. And, Natasha, you were right. This news is just as good. I’m still holding out for the other news, though.”
Antonio groaned. “One last thing. This conversation can’t leave the room. The mayor will make the announcement at the next meeting.” He chuckled when all eyes went to his mother.
“What?” she asked, affronted. “I’m not going to say anything.”
“I love you, honey, but you can’t hold water.” His father slung an arm around his wife and kissed her cheek, while everyone else laughed.
“Antonio, this is the best gift I’ve ever received,” Grandma Nora said. “And even if it turns out to be too late for my Fred, it will give me peace knowing that others will be able to experience being close to their loved ones.” She hugged him and patted his cheek. “You make me so proud.”
His emotions rose swiftly and nearly overwhelmed him. “Thanks, Grandma. That means a lot.” He cleared his throat and stood. “Tasha and I need to get going.”
