Page 6 of A Perfect Pairing
“Don’tMamame, Fred. You know I’m right.” Pointing her fork Antonio’s way, she said, “You don’t need that kind of drama in your life, baby. I know things didn’t work out the first time, but the second time will be the charm, trust me.” She winked and went back to her food.
Second time?He’d tried the marriage thing once, and all he’d gotten in return was a bunch of lies and a broken heart. No, he didn’t plan to open his heart to another woman. Instead of commenting, he continued eating.
A few minutes later, his father cleared his throat. “Son, now that you’re back, what are your plans? The town could use a good financial planner and investment manager.” He shrugged. “Maybe you can open your own firm.”
Antonio sent his father a grateful smile for the subject change. Frederick Hayes had always run interference for Antonio and his older brother when their mother went on one of her tangents. “Maybe.” He briefly debated whether to tell them about his godfather’s offer, then decided to share. His family had always been close, and he valued their opinions. Sometimes. “Actually, Uncle Charles is talking about retiring and offered me the business.”
“He’s been talking about that since I retired.”
“He said that was one of his reasons. Apparently, you being able to go fishing whenever and not being a slave to an alarm clock has him a little jealous.”
A wide grin covered his father’s face. “Hey, what can I say? I love being able to get up when I want. What about his boys?”
“They aren’t interested.” He’d mulled over the proposal all day, and the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea.
“I think it’s a fabulous idea,” Grandma Nora said. “You’ve been building things since you could hold a hammer in your hand.”
“I haven’t made a decision one way or another.” Antonio wiped his hands on a napkin and finished his drink. “But I’m really considering it.”
His mother patted his hand. “I think you should take him up on his offer, honey. It’s always been your dream. Most people don’t get a blessing like this dropped in their laps, so I wouldn’t think about it too long.”
“I won’t.”
Grandma Nora made a move to stand, and his father helped her up. “Well, this old woman is tired. Antonio, how about you escort me to my cottage?”
Antonio grinned and rose to his feet. “I’d love to.” He extended his arm and, after bidding his parents good night, walked her out the kitchen’s side door to the small one-bedroom cottage out back he’d helped build a couple of years ago. Once inside, he asked, “How’s Grandpa?”
She eased down into her favorite recliner. “Most days not so good, but every now and again he remembers me. Calls me his beautiful flower just like he did when we first started dating.” A wistful smile curved her lips.
He shook his head. His grandfather had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years ago and had gotten to the point where he needed full-time care. “How often do you get out to see him?”
“Not as often as I’d like. With the place being almost an hour away, it’s hard. When he was at the hospital here, I could go every day.”
“I’m sorry.” Antonio hunkered down in front of her. “Let me know the next time you want to go, and I’ll take you.”
She cupped his cheek. “I’d appreciate that. What you need to do is take Charles’s offer, and then you can build one of those fancy care centers here. I know what you’re capable of doing, and I heard about those homes for low-income families you were helping to build.”
He laughed and dropped his head. “I don’t know about all that, but we’ll see.” His family knew him well. He couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t trying to build or fix something. Most kids had a fort made of blankets and used baseball bats or sticks to hold them up, but not Antonio. At twelve years old, his had been an actual building with two rooms, a table, a pair of chairs, a bookshelf, and a mounted cabinet filled with his favorite snacks. His father had even purchased a mini fridge. A smile curved his lips. Those had been some good times. Just as quickly, his smile faded, thinking about the times he and Natasha had their “dates” there.
Too young to truly date, they had used studying together as a cover. Sure, they’d gotten some studying done, but most often, stealing kisses had been at the top of their agenda. She had been the first and only girl allowed in his private space. Rising to his feet, Antonio scrubbed a hand across his forehead. He needed to stop thinking about her. She’d walked away from their relationship, leaving only a letter, and he still had no idea why.It doesn’t matter, he told himself. Grandma Nora called his name, drawing him out of his trip down memory lane.
“Oh, and I hope you’re going to stay away from Claudia.” She made a face.
“I will.” He planned to stay away from every woman, but he kept that to himself.
“Good. You’ve grown into a wonderful young man, and I’m proud of you. There are going to be lots of women who’ll try to turn your head.” She placed her hand on his chest. “But you pay attention to the only one who turns your heart. And we both know who she is.”
He let out a nervous chuckle and stood. “I have no idea who you’re talking about, and I don’t think I want to know.” He kissed her temple. “I’m going to head out.”
“Okay. Love you, baby. And you know exactly who I’m talking about. I know she broke your heart, and both of you probably could’ve done things differently, but the good Lord gives us youth to make those mistakes. If we’re fortunate, we grow into adulthood and get a second chance to do things right. It doesn’t happen all the time, so don’t throw away the opportunity,” she added pointedly. “Lock the door on your way out, would you?”
“Love you, too, and I will.” Antonio left and headed for his car, knowing full well she’d meant Natasha. She’d always told him they belonged together. At one time, he’d thought the same, but he wasn’t buying the second chance speech. He’d call his godfather first thing in the morning to accept his offer. The busier he was, the less time he had to think about Natasha or any other woman his mother tried to parade in front of him.
Friday evening, Natasha waved at some of the people she knew while weaving her way through the crowd to find a seat for the town hall meeting. Apparently, there was an update on the big condominium project, and it would be the perfect time to pitch her idea. She’d called the mayor’s office earlier in the week to get on the agenda.
“You’re looking beautiful tonight, Tasha.”
She shifted slightly and groaned inwardly. She’d gone out with Evan Brooks a few times, but they didn’t click… at least on her end. But that hadn’t stopped him from continuing to ask her out. “Hey, Evan. Thanks.”
