Page 10 of Until Now

“Buono.” I open my laptop, “Now, can I get back to work?”

“Actually,” Nick closes the laptop again. “I was thinking we should figure out what’s going on between us.”

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I’m trying to ignore the constant feeling of someone watching me as we climb the private drive through thick forest. My focus has been on my phone from the moment we touched the ground in Colorado. The day I go out of town is the day everything wants to go to shit on one of our job sites. So yes, I’ve been on my phone trying to help Michaela resolve the issues. I’m just hoping the entire trip isn’t like this. I did warn Nick, I may have some work to attend to, but I’m sure he thinks it’s just an excuse to avoid him when we’re away from everyone. Then again, he probably doesn’t care.

On the plane, we set the boundaries for our arrangement — holding hands and small touches in obvious areas are okay; kisses on the cheek are acceptable, but not on the lips; and we met at Java Fountain, the only thing about this whole arrangement that wasn’t a lie. Since we will be sharing a room, with only one bed, he will sleep on the floor. “We have plenty of pillows and blankets, you’ll be fine,” I assured him. And the final term? He should in no way feel obligated to entertain me when behind closed doors. I don't care what he does when we’re alone. “Just don’t give us away.”

After what felt like hours to climb the mountain, the car stops in front of the house. Scratch that… It’s more like a mansion. Secluded and surrounded by acres of untouched land, no sign of anyone for miles. The house towers over us and I smile stepping out of the door held by Phillip. I’ve missed this place. I almost forgot how grand it is… Large windows litter the four-story home. Brown roofing contrasts white stucco. Pale logs accent the home making the modern design not seem out of place in the mountains. The garage and first two stories are built into the earth. Rocky steps on one side lead from the driveway to a patio and eventually a rooftop. Another leads further into the mountain, curving into an open door, a small garden along the way.

“È la mia bambina?” A deep voice walks down the front steps.

“Daddy!” I jump into his arms. Alaric Villa — patriarch of the Villa family and mastermind behind Villa Incorporated. A barrel-chested man, Daddy stands well over six feet tall. “Mi sei mancato!”

“I missed you too, Piccola. And, I see you brought company.”

A blush creeps into my cheeks before turning to find Nick helping Andrew pull our bags from the car. Andrew whispers something earning a chuckle from both men. “We’ll take it from here, Mr. Davis,” Andrew says as I approach. “You have a show to do.”

“Ready?” I whisper.

“Do I have a choice?” A warmth spreads through my fingers when he takes my hand. It’s probably just his nerves making his hands feel warm. Curious green eyes carefully watch from the front steps. “Daddy, this is Nick…Nick, this is my dad, Alaric Villa.”

“Ric is fine. It’s nice to meet you, Nick.”

“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Nick stammers. He slips his free arm around my waist and uses the other to shake Daddy’s hand.

“Don’t be nervous, Nick.” Daddy clamps down on his shoulder. “Save that for her mother.” A booming laugh echoes as he pushes Nick towards the door.

Daddy leads us past a mirage of hallways and bedrooms. Everything looks the same as it did two years ago. Stepping over the threshold of the third floor, I’m greeted by one of my favorite parts of the whole house: a wall of windows showcasing unobstructed views of the luscious green landscape surrounding the house. Breathtaking. Nick’s eyes grow wide at the sight.

“Pretty cool, huh?” I ask.

“It’s nice to not be the only outsider for a change,” a dirty blonde greets us. Eileen Eberly — my brother’s girlfriend and the reason we have any sort of relationship. “I’m Eileen. I was surprised when Brina said Nin was bringing someone. She’s never mentioned you before.” Eileen glances at me, “How could you not tell me aboutthis?”

“Hands off, Lina.” I lean into Nick’s side and as if acting by instinct, he wraps his arm around me. “I’m not into sharing anymore.”

I hear her before I see her. And, I feel myself grow rigid against Nick. I hope he doesn’t think he did something wrong. No, this has nothing to do with him and everything to do with the woman walking inside from the kitchen patio. I haven’t seen my mother in almost a year and I can’t say I’m upset about it. Seeing her… I’m instantly reminded to stand up taller, straighter. Don’t talk too loud. Don’t smile so big.

Brina Villa — matriarch of the Villa family. Per usual, she is extremely overdressed for the mountains in a stark white pantsuit and high heels. Her pin-straight blonde hair held by a clip. Her face fully painted, she still doesn’t look a day over thirty even though she’s almost 50. She holds an empty martini glass and uses her teeth to slide olives from a plastic sword. “Davina. You’re finally here!” An awkward pause where there should be a mother-daughter embrace, but we don’t move. Her stare matches the icy color of her eyes when she turns her attention to Nick, “You must be Nicholas.”

“Just Nick is fine. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Villa.”

“Davina, how on Earth could you keep such a handsome young man a secret?”

“Bri,” Daddy warns behind us.

“I was sparing him the torture.” I roll my eyes.

“Nina.”

Mother and I share a look, but don’t continue. Instead, she tears Nick from me and loops her arm through his. “Come, I’ll show you around. Get you acquainted with the house.”

“Mother, please. It’s been a long day, we can do this later.”

“Oh, Davina, he doesn’t mind. Do you, Nicholas?” Nick hesitates. Stuck between not wanting to be left alone with my mother just yet and wanting to make a good impression. “See, he’s fine.” She leads him towards the separate staircase leading to the fourth floor, the master bedroom. Before they’re gone, she throws a smirk over her shoulder to me.

“Welcome to the family,” Eileen whispers once they’ve disappeared.

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