And Then He Kissed Me (8 page)
Read And Then He Kissed Me Online
Authors: Teresa Southwick
There was only one intelligent choiceâmake a stupid excuse for his churlish behavior and look like a jackass for a few seconds. It was the course of action better known as Plan B, or retreat and run like hell. He didn't want to think about the way seeing Abby with his brother had made him feel. He decided it was just a fluke. His one foray into a relationship and the disaster that followed had destroyed the part of him that rationally processed relationship information.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry, Joe. Rough morning.”
“I thought you were in meetings.”
“I cancelled them. Just got a call from Ma. Grandma is in the hospital having tests.”
“Yeah, your secretary gave me the message.” Worry creased his brother's forehead. “Does Dad know? He was supposed to play golf today.”
“He's there with them. So is Luke.” He looked at
Abby. “That's why you couldn't find him. Alex is out of town, but I left a message with his secretary.”
Abby. “That's why you couldn't find him. Alex is out of town, but I left a message with his secretary.”
“What's wrong with your grandmother?” Abby asked, obviously concerned.
“Chest pain,” Nick answered.
“I'm so sorry,” Abby said. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Thanks, but no. Actually I was on my way there when I saw you,” Joe said.
“Why didn't you tell me?” she cried. “This could have waited. Don't let me stop you. Go.” Abby linked her arm through Joe's and tugged him forward.
For Nick, that playful, familiar touch was like a hot wind over glowing sparks. White-hot flames licked through him. He was beginning to see a pattern here. But something else bothered him more. Even if it was Luke she wanted to see, she'd deliberately dropped by on a day he, Nick, had told her he was unavailable. Why?
The obvious answer was that she was avoiding him. Something had changed between them, and Nick didn't like it. He wanted back the comfortable camaraderie. Which made him glad his mother had given him a mission.
“I'm on my way,” Joe said, heading for the door.
Nick decided turnabout was fair play. If Joe planned to dish it out, he'd best be prepared to take it. “Last time I checked the hospital, obstetrics and cardiology were nowhere near each other.”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Joe asked goodnaturedly.
That was Nick's least favorite thing about his brother. Joe was annoyingly cheerful most of the time. Getting to him was a challenge. “You're surprisingly
eager to go to the hospital. You wouldn't by any chance be planning to stop by the O.B. department and harass that nurse you met when Rosie had her baby?”
eager to go to the hospital. You wouldn't by any chance be planning to stop by the O.B. department and harass that nurse you met when Rosie had her baby?”
Joe folded his arms over his chest and grinned. “Absolutely not.”
Nick shook his head. “Go see what's up with the family.”
Joe gave him a mock salute. “I hear and obey, fearless leader. Do you want me to wait for you?”
Nick shook his head. “I need my car. I'll be a couple minutes behind you.”
“Okay,” Joe said. He looked at Abby. “I like your ideas. In fact, you deserve a bonus. But I'm in charge of personnel, not number-crunching.” He winked at her and angled his head toward Nick. “Talk to Mr. Congeniality about the dough.”
Abby figured this was a bad time to talk about a raise when Nick looked like a volcano about to erupt. In all the years she'd known him, she'd seen him happy and carefree. She'd seen him angry and upset. But she had never seen him look the way he had after she'd hugged his brother. Next to Nick, Joe Marchetti was the closest thing she had to her own big brother.
Which was why she'd decided to approach Luke when she knew Nick was occupied. A good decision, since it was awfully difficult to keep her mind on her work when he stood there looking like a model. He was wearing charcoal pants and a crisp, long-sleeved white shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, indicating that he'd been working. The corded muscles in his forearms were dusted with dark hair and so powerful, he could as easily have been a construction worker as a business executive.
His tie was slightly loosened, just enough so that he
was comfortable, but he could quickly have it back in place if necessary. The pattern on the silk was like an Impressionist painting in blue, green, mauve and a whole lot of other colors.
was comfortable, but he could quickly have it back in place if necessary. The pattern on the silk was like an Impressionist painting in blue, green, mauve and a whole lot of other colors.
“I like your tie,” she said. After the words popped out, she wanted to smack her forehead and call them back. Way too forward. She shouldn't notice what he was wearing. Correctionâshe couldn't help but notice. But she was just this side of horrified that the comment had slipped from her lips so easily.
Absently, he looked down at his tie. “Thanks. Madison gave me this.”
No doubt it was expensive. And intimate. Not as much as boxer shorts with big red hearts, but definitely something Abby would never in a million years be in a position to give him. Time to steer the conversation in a different direction. Or better yet, leave so he could be with his family.
“I'm sorry. This obviously isn't a good time. You need to get to the hospital. I'll goâ”
“Don't.” He sighed as he passed her and sat on the corner of Joe's desk. “Not yet.”
He looked upset, and Abby had the most absurd desire to put her arms around him and comfort him. As much as she wanted to escape from him, and her budding attraction to him, she couldn't walk out. She had the feeling he needed to talk. “You're very fond of your grandmother, aren't you?”
He nodded. “We all are. But Luke is her favorite.”
“How come? You're the oldest,” she said. “You came first.”
He shrugged. “Yeah. But there's a special bond between her and Luke.”
“I never knew my grandparents.”
“None of them?”
She shook her head. “They lived in another state. We never visited. Then one by one, they were all gone.”
“That's too bad. It's a special relationship, and a responsibility.”
There he was, being Mr. Wonderful again. She needed to get out because of how very much she wanted to stay, because she very much enjoyed talking to him. She looked at the watch on her wrist. Although she knew the play smacked of
golly, look at the time,
it was the best exit line she could come up with. “Golly, look at the time. I've really got to get back to work. And you have to goâ”
golly, look at the time,
it was the best exit line she could come up with. “Golly, look at the time. I've really got to get back to work. And you have to goâ”
“Wait, Ab.”
“We can talk work another time.”
“No, it's something else.” He folded his arms over his chest. “While we were at lunch the other day, Mom asked me to invite you and Sarah to Thanksgiving dinner.”
“She did? Why?”
“Your name came up, and Ma wondered if you'd like to join us.”
“Why did my name come up?”
“Let's just say that the salmon wasn't the only thing being grilled,” he said wryly. “So what do you say?”
After her shock wore off, so many things rushed through Abby's mind. First, why had he and his mother been talking about her? Thought number two was overwhelming gratitude that she and Sarah wouldn't be alone for another holiday.
Unfortunately, thought number three was the brain cycle where she started thinking the situation to death. Why was he asking? He could have told his mother
the invitation was inappropriate. But he hadn't. This overstepped the boss/employee boundary. Worseâshe was afraid he felt sorry for her. She hated that.
the invitation was inappropriate. But he hadn't. This overstepped the boss/employee boundary. Worseâshe was afraid he felt sorry for her. She hated that.
She was quiet for so long, Nick finally asked, “Do you have other plans?”
“No,” she answered quickly, honestly. Then she could have bitten her tongue. Everything else she thought to death. Not this time. He had given her the perfect out if only she'd kept her mouth shut two seconds longer. Where was the world's biggest roll of duct tape when she really needed it?
He nodded with satisfaction. “Good, then I'll tell Ma to expect two more.”
“I didn't say that.”
He frowned. “So I'll tell Ma you would rather be alone than have dinner with us?”
“Don't you dare,” she said. “That's not what I said.”
“That's what I heard.”
“Then you should have your hearing checked.” She winced when she realized what she'd said. The last time she was alone with him she'd called him names, now she was insulting him again. She took a deep breath. “I didn't mean that. Exactly.”
“I know. Do you want to tell me what you do meanâexactly?”
Two could play at answering a question with a question. “What would Madison say about having us there?”
“She doesn't get a vote.”
That shouldn't have made Abby happy. But doggone it, inside she was doing the dance of joy. “How come?”
“Madison and I are taking a break from each other. I thought I already told you.”
“You said there was a dialogue. I didn't know it was a done deal.” Abby was stunned. If he kept dropping bombshells, she was going to wind up in cardiology having tests, too. He'd hinted about this that day in her office, but he hadn't come right out and said they were kaput. “Was it mutual?”
“It was her idea.”
“Nick, I'm sorry.” She really was. After the drubbing he'd taken from the woman he'd married, this must be like salt in the wound. “Just remember, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. You got through it once, you're a pro now. I know I teased you about Madison not being right for you, but I never wished for you to be hurt. The two of you will work it out.”
“I'm fine, Abby.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. But my mother is fond of Madison. She's taking it hard.”
“Tell me this isn't the reason my name came up at lunch,” she begged.
“Okay, consider yourself told.”
Abby didn't believe him for a minute. How could she be to blame for the breakup? There was nothing between her and Nick except a work relationship. “I don't know what to say.”
“She'll get over it. Look, say you'll come to Thanksgiving. You already admitted you don't have other plans. Ma will be hurt if you turn her down.”
She hoped that was the truth because it would mean that Mrs. Marchetti didn't blame her for what had happened between Madison and her son.
“She really wants us there?”
“If she didn't, she wouldn't have extended the invitation. You haven't lived until you've experienced a Marchetti holiday.”
“What about your grandmother?”
“We're going to keep our fingers crossed that this is nothing serious. If the worst happens, we'll go with Plan B. Until then, we'll assume that it's business as usual. And I would very much like you to be there.”
Abby felt like she was standing on a cliff, one foot solid on the ground, the other poised in the air. She could pull back, or free-fall. It would have been safe if he was still involved with Madison. Although, he'd said breaking it off was Madison's idea. So he still had feelings for her. Which meant that as far as she, Abby, was concerned, it was still harmless. And with the rest of his family there, she would barely see him. But his last words tipped the scale.
“So what do you say? Will you come?”
She took a deep breath, then smiled. “Yes.”
Chapter Six
F
lorence Marchetti graciously held court at the head of the table while her husband, Tom, charmed everyone at his end. Abby watched, feeling as if she was dreaming the best holiday she'd ever had. The day had been magical so far. All the Marchettis had treated the Ridgeway sisters as part of the family from the moment they'd arrived. Nick had teased and joked, behaving like the friend he'd always been to her. She was finally relaxing into the spirit of the festivities.
lorence Marchetti graciously held court at the head of the table while her husband, Tom, charmed everyone at his end. Abby watched, feeling as if she was dreaming the best holiday she'd ever had. The day had been magical so far. All the Marchettis had treated the Ridgeway sisters as part of the family from the moment they'd arrived. Nick had teased and joked, behaving like the friend he'd always been to her. She was finally relaxing into the spirit of the festivities.
Flo glanced at each member of her family, then smiled warmly at her two guests. “Gentlemen, and ladies, this is the portion of the program where everyone has to tell what heâor sheâis thankful for.”
“All together now,” Nick said. In unison with his siblings, he groaned loudly.
Abby couldn't help laughing. She was sitting, to Mrs. M.'s right, tucked between Joe and Luke with Grandma on her left. Sarah sat beside the older woman and directly across from Alex. Nick was on one side
of his dad, and his sister Rosie with her husband Steve and six-month-old baby Stephanie on the other. The flowers, silverware, matching crystal and china were breathtaking on the Italian lace tablecloth.
of his dad, and his sister Rosie with her husband Steve and six-month-old baby Stephanie on the other. The flowers, silverware, matching crystal and china were breathtaking on the Italian lace tablecloth.
Abby couldn't believe she was a guest. She was still shaking her head over the fact that eleven adults and one baby in a high chair were comfortably seated at this feast. There wasn't a folding table or chair in sight. And she, Abby, was included.
This must be the equivalent of the fairy-tale ball. But Abby would bet her gravy and mashed potatoes that no one made Cinderella give a speech about how grateful she was. So every fairy tale had a price. Soon it would be Abby's turn to come up with something articulate and wittyâall the Marchettis were glib and interestingâand actually speak about what she was thankful for. Unless a miracle or a disaster happened, she didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting out of it.
From the opposite end of the table, Tom Marchetti said, “You start, Flo.”
“Thank you, dear. I'm grateful for my healthy family.” The woman's glowing gaze lingered on her granddaughter, then moved on and stopped at her mother-in-law. “I'm thankful that Grandma's tests showed she had nothing more than high gas pains. And I'm very, very thankful that Sarah and Abby could join us today to equalize the male-to-female ratio.”
“Amen to that,” Rosie said. “Steve and I have done our part with a baby girl. But the rest of you are lagging.” She glanced lovingly at her husband, then sternly looked at her four older brothers. “What's the holdup, guys?”
“No holdup,” Luke explained. “That would imply
a delay in a plan to have children. Hard to do when you're a confirmed bachelor like myself and my brothers.” He looked around. “Right, guys?”
a delay in a plan to have children. Hard to do when you're a confirmed bachelor like myself and my brothers.” He looked around. “Right, guys?”
Joe nodded agreement. “That means we're never getting married,” he clarified. “But if I do, and that's a very big if, I will produce only male children.”
“Like you have so much control,” Rosie teased.
“Don't go there, sis,” Joe said. “You'll lose that argument.”
“I know who determines the sex of the baby,” Rosie scoffed. “I was talking about the âmarried' part.”
Joe shot her a disbelieving look. “You don't think I can fend off a determined woman bent on marriage?”
Rosie laughed. “I think you'll fall like a ton of bricks when you meet the right woman, so don't even talk to me about controlling a romantic situation.”
Abby breathed a sigh of relief that their verbal sparring gave her a reprieve from the thanks-giving speeches. On top of that, it gave her an opportunity to observe all the Marchetti men in one place and in action. She studied Nick, who was putting away a fair amount of turkey and dressing. He was the best-looking by far, she decided, among an impressive display of masculinity. Joe and Alex had the same dark coloring. Luke's hair was lighter brown and he was the only one with blue eyes. She had never noticed that before.
“Marchetti men have control over everything, at all times,” Alex said. “Including marriage.”
“Right on, bro. That said,” Joe continued, “I guess I'm thankful that I'm not married.”
“Don't knock it till you've tried it.” Rosie's husband, Steve Schafer, gestured with his fork. His darkblond hair and blue-eyed good looks were an attractive
counterpoint to his wife's wildly curly black hair and brown eyes.
counterpoint to his wife's wildly curly black hair and brown eyes.
“Rosie told you to say that,” Alex said.
“I did not.” She shot him a glare, then leaned down to retrieve the rattle her daughter had dropped.
“She didn't,” Steve agreed. “Marrying Rosie and having the baby were the best things that ever happened to me.”
“She's the most beautiful baby in the whole world,” Sarah chimed in.
“Stephanie is the best,” Joe agreed. “Too bad you were also forced to take my sister in the merger.”
“I'd be a mess without Rosie,” Steve said with heartfelt sincerity. The look he gave his wife was filled with so much love, Abby felt it clear down at her end of the table.
“Thank you, honey.” Rosie leaned over and kissed her husband's lean cheek. “I suppose it's no secret that I've loved you since I was a girl. As far as I'm concerned, you still walk on water.”
Abby suddenly realized what the phrase “lonely in a crowd” meant. And the term “third wheel.” Seeing this young couple so much in love opened an ache inside her. Would she ever find something like that? Absolutely, came her answer. Just as soon as she had the time to look.
“It's gettin' deep in here,” Joe said.
“You can say that again,” Alex agreed.
“I third that,” Luke chimed in. “You're awfully quiet, Nick. Does this mean you're weakening on the subject of marriage? Is there going to be an announcement soon about you and Madison?”
Nick met Abby's gaze down the expanse of table.
“No. She broke it off. She thinks I have feelings for Abby.”
“No. She broke it off. She thinks I have feelings for Abby.”
Abby felt eleven pairs of eyes on her. It would have been twelve, but baby Stephanie was busy examining her fingers. A ten-second thankful speech would have been easier.
“Nick mentioned that to me,” Flo said. “And I've found Madison to be quite perceptive.”
“She's wrong this time,” Abby answered. She remembered Nick saying that his mother liked Madison and was disappointed about the rift. “Besides, I think they'll work it out. They're just taking a break from each other.”
“Interesting,” Luke said. “She's beautiful and brainy, with a body thatâ”
“Careful, Luke,” his mother warned. “We have an impressionable teenage girl here.”
“Thanks, Mrs. M.,” Sarah said. “But I've heard worse. High-school guys are so gross.”
“What about Austin?” Nick asked her.
“He's different,” Sarah answered, looking down at her plate as a blush crept into her cheeks.
“We're getting off the subject,” Luke said. “Whose idea was it to take a break?” he asked Nick.
The edge in his voice drew Abby's attention to him and the way he stared at his older brother. Something had kicked up the intensity in his already intense blue eyes. Interesting, she thought.
“It was hers,” Nick answered.
“Then she had her reasons,” Tom Marchetti interjected.
“Getting back to what we're thankful for,” Nick said, changing the subject again. “I'm more thankful than I can say that I'm not married.”
“Me too,” Joe said.
“Me three,” Alex added.
“Never have, never will,” Luke chimed in fervently.
Flo Marchetti looked around the table, clearly puzzled by her sons' attitude. She fixed her gaze on Nick. “You're responsible for this.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“You're the oldest. The leader of the pack. You set the pace. You've obviously done something, or said something, to turn your brothers off to the institution of marriage.”
“That's ridiculous, Ma.” Nick's eyes sparkled with humor.
“Don't blame Nick,” Joe said. Abby liked the way he jumped to his brother's defense. “We're not a pack of sheep.” He glared at Rosie when she made a baa sound, then continued. “We don't follow the leader. We can think for ourselves.”
“Darn right we can,” Nick seconded.
“You know, Flo,” Tom Marchetti interjected, “it's really none of our business. When the boys are ready and the time is right, they'll get married. You can't rush these things.”
The woman smiled at her husband. “You're right, dear. But I can't help being a little impatient at the amount of time they're taking. I'm not getting any younger. I would like more grandchildren. And this attitude. What makes you all so positive that marriage is something to be strenuously avoided?” Flo looked around her table at each of her sons. “There's a sayingâ”
“Never judge anyone till you've walked a mile in his sneakers,” Nick, Joe, Alex, Luke and Rosie all chimed in together.
“Apparently I've said that once or twice before. And I thought no one listened to me.” Flo grinned at their good-natured teasing. “Except for Rosie and Steve, none of your sneakers has ever walked down the aisle. So how can you be so sure marriage is the pits?”
“It clips a man's wings.” Joe shrugged.
“Have you ever been married?” she shot back.
“Of course not, butâ”
“Then don't talk to me.” She looked at Alex and Luke in turn. “You two?”
“No, butâ”
“Then you don't get an opinion.” She fixed Nick with a look that even a covert operative trained to resist terrorist interrogation would have trouble ignoring. “Nick?”
Abby was puzzled. Surely they knew about Nick's marriage. Why would his mother dwell on something that had hurt her son so badly?
As his silence stretched, Flo Marchetti's eyes narrowed on the son in question. “You have that look, Nick.”
The eldest of the macho Marchetti brothers squirmed. “What look? I don't have a look.”
“Since you were a little boy, and you did something you were ashamed of, you would get an expression on your face.”
“You're imagining things, Ma,” he said shrugging.
Flo shook her head. “I can't explain it. Just something a mother knows. So I say again, how can you judge the institution of marriage when you've never been married?”
Nick met his mother's gaze, then glanced quickly at his father who was watching him intently. He looked
at Abby, then said, “I suppose it's about time you knew. I was married.”
at Abby, then said, “I suppose it's about time you knew. I was married.”
It was as if the cone of silence had descended over the table. No one said a word; all of them stared at Nick. Abby could tell from the genuine expressions of shock that no one in his family had known about this. She didn't know what to make of the fact that he'd told her. Good heavens. Why?
The stunned, unnatural quiet stretched on and grew awkward. Finally, Flo cleared her throat. When she spoke, her voice was surprisingly soft. “Why didn't you tell us, Nick?”
“It's not something I'm proud of. Like you said, I'm the oldest. I set the pace. Some standard, huh?”
“But we're your family, son.” His father's gaze held sympathy.
Nick is hating this,
Abby thought, studying his smoldering eyes and tight jaw.
Abby thought, studying his smoldering eyes and tight jaw.
Thoughtfully, his mother took a sip of wine. “It happened that summer you worked in Phoenix.”
Nick nodded. “She was pregnant.” There was a gasp of surprise from Rosie.
“With your baby?” Tom Marchetti's tone was controlled, barely.
“No. The father walked out on her. I cared about her, so I proposed. I wanted to take care of her and the baby. She said yes.”
“So what happened?” Joe looked shell-shocked.
“The jerk came back. He had a change of heart.”
“And so did the woman?” Flo's expression was angry, a mother lioness protecting her cub.
Abby knew exactly how she felt. She saw the miserable look in Nick's eyes and wanted to wrap her arms around him. At the same time, she would give anything
to have five minutes alone with the witch who had made him look like that. There would be a tonguelashing of monumental proportions.
to have five minutes alone with the witch who had made him look like that. There would be a tonguelashing of monumental proportions.
Nick heaved a sigh. “Yeah, she took him back. Said she loved him and it would be best for him to raise his child. She got an annulment.”
“Why didn't you tell us?” Rosie asked, shock and indignation in her voice. “I don't understand how you could keep something like this a secret from your family.”
That makes two of us,
Abby thought.
Abby thought.
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