Page 22 of A Perfect Pairing
Ms. Della giggled. “They still look so cute together.”
He glanced in the rearview mirror briefly at Ms. Della, who smiled at him and sighed. Not only had his grandmother and her matchmaking best friend roped him into that kiss, but Antonio now had to worry about it spreading like wildfire across town. Usually, the town’s gossip didn’t faze him, but this time he’d rather not have everyone in their business, trying to “help” them get back together.
“Oh, they sure do, Della. You know I’ve always thought of Natasha as a granddaughter, and now that Antonio’s back, I may just get my wish,” his grandmother said, talking as if he weren’t in the car.
“That would be something. It would set all these little hussies trying to chase after him straight. I never could understand a woman throwing herself at a man. Now, ain’t nothing wrong with a little flirting here and there, but some of these girls are just plain fast.”
“I know what you mean. I’m so happy he chose Natasha. She’s nothing like them, and just as sweet as they come.”
I’m not choosing anybody. Antonio started to comment but changed his mind, thinking it best to sit this conversation out. So far he’d been tasked with bringing Natasha to a birthday party he knew nothing about, and he didn’t want to risk whatever his grandmother might have in mind next.Nope, I’m going to just keep my mouth closed and drive.
“Antonio, have you met my grandson, Gabriel, yet?” Ms. Della asked.
“No, ma’am.”
“Well, I’m sure you will. He and Serenity just got back from their honeymoon. You know she’s Natasha’s best friend.”
“Natasha mentioned that,” he said carefully, not letting on that he knew Serenity.
His grandmother shifted in her seat to face him. “It was such a beautiful wedding, too. Hopefully, there will be another one soon,” she added pointedly.
Antonio’s gut clenched and he could feel her stare, but he refused to look her way or reply to her comment. The sooner he dropped them off, the better off he’d be. He found himself driving just a little faster to reach his destinations. When he got to Ms. Della’s house, he hopped out of the car, helped her out, and walked her to the door.
“One down, one to go,” he mumbled to himself. The moment he got in the car, his grandmother started up again. He cut the normal six-minute drive to his parents’ house to four and a half.
“Thanks, baby.”
Normally, he’d say “anytime,” but today he only said, “You’re welcome.” He got out and went around to her side.
“Ooh, these old bones are stiff,” she said as he gently eased her out.
Antonio smiled. “You’re not that old, Grandma.”
“Seventy-eight is old enough. That reminds me, don’t forget you’re bringing Natasha to my party.”
“I’m sure you’ll remind me.” As they started around the side of the house, his mother came out the front door. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, son. What’s this I heard about you kissing Natasha in the middle of Ms. Ida’s restaurant?”
He groaned.Just great. This is all I need.“It wasn’t anything like that. A peck on the cheek and nothing more. Ask Grandma. She was there. I greeted her and Ms. Della the same way.”
His grandmother waved a hand. “It was nothing, Darlene.” Then she said quietly to Antonio, “Nothing like the one you two will share on your wedding day.” She tossed him a bold wink and strutted past him. “See you later, and thanks for the ride.”
He stood there wondering how things had gotten so out of control in a matter of minutes. His mother’s voice reclaimed his attention.
“Well, does this mean you two are back together, because Helen Marks mentioned that her daughter, Leticia, asked about you?”
He headed to his car. “No, we are not together, and I’m not interested in Leticia or any other woman, so if you could pass the word, I’d appreciate it. I’ll talk to you later.”
Antonio’s cell chimed with a text message as he slid behind the wheel. He dug it out and read the message from his brother:I heard about the lip-lock with Natasha in Ms. Ida’s. Damn, man, you couldn’t wait and do it in a more private place?
He leaned his head against the steering wheel and muttered a curse. Packing up and moving sounded like a really great idea right now.
CHAPTER 9
This is not funny, y’all!” Natasha folded her arms and slumped further down in the chair. Somehow, the simple peck on the cheek from Antonio had turned into a full-blown passionate kiss, with rumors of them being back together and on their way down the aisle.Sometimes I hate living in a small town.And her besties, the ones she expected to have her back, couldn’t stop laughing. She’d called and asked them to come over to lend a little moral support but almost regretted the decision. To get her mind off the rumors swirling around town, they’d gone to the craft store and picked up some yarn to hand crochet blankets. A client had given Natasha one as a gift and shared the how-to video. At the time, she thought it would be something fun to do with her girls. But she was so frustrated, she kept having to redo her stitches. “And, Serenity, you weren’t laughing last year when Ms. Adele said Gabriel spent the night at your house.”
Serenity tried to hide her smile. “You got me there, but, girl, this is hilarious. I can’t believe all those people sitting there whosawthe kiss in real time are not correcting all this foolishness.” She held up a perfectly done row. “This is kind of cool. They’ll make great gifts for Christmas.”
