White Chocolate Moments (22 page)

"I think I do. This shrimp is amazing."

Jalaina smiled, but then she had done little but smile since marrying Will a few weeks earlier. They had honeymooned in a cabin on a lake in Wisconsin and had the time of their lives.

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"When do you start for Nicky?" Jalaina asked, dishing up their dessert.

"Not until after Labor Day."

"Well, if you run out of food, come and see us."

Arcineh laughed, but after she got home, she sat down and looked at her checking and savings accounts. She had some money set aside. However, she thought if she was careful, she might make it without getting into it. She had wanted to buy furniture with the money--Jalaina had taken several of her own pieces with her--but that might have to wait.

Arcineh sat on her one living room chair and looked at the end of the kitchen. Jalaina had taken the kitchen table and four chairs. Arcineh thought she might miss those more than the sofa.

Feeling lonely all of a sudden, Arcineh knew she didn't want to sit around by herself and wondered why she'd left Jalaina's so soon. Changing into workout gear, she caught a bus to the studio, hoping there would be a class in session.

",,

One delay after another turned Nicky's Labor Day job into a mid- November one. An old house was being restored, and Arcineh was to lay the mosaic tile in the kitchen. It was a delicate, painstaking task, and Nicky told her not to rush.

She loved it. She missed working with her hands in this way, and the reproduction tile was beautiful--tiny squares in a amazing array of colors that Arcineh would not have thought available at the time.

The house was built in about 1872 and was grand for the day. Everything was being ripped up and replaced. Crews had to move carefully to avoid injury. The kitchen floor was one of the few rooms where the floor was safe. Arcineh would start work early and still be there at 5:00, tiling away and trying not to think about how lonely her life had become.

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At the same time, she liked being alone when she worked. Chummel was always welcome, but she didn't like being around a bunch of men who had nothing to talk about but women and alcohol. She also didn't like being introduced to the strangers that came through, something Nicky was aware of and compassionate about when he was on the job site.

There were few visitors at the beginning--the job site was too unpredictable--but after the first of the year, more visitors came. When they arrived, Arcineh simply stood out of the way while Nicky or Bud, the man in charge of everything, gave a quick tour or explanation.

It was a snowy day in early February when Nicky brought in two men. Arcineh set her tools aside and stood across the room. Sometimes she didn't even look at the guests, very much wanting to be left on her own, but this time she had no choice.

Sam Bryant was in the kitchen with her, and the other man was Gage Sefton. Arcineh knew she did not look the same. She was wearing an ancient sweatshirt and jeans and had stuffed her hair under an old White Sox baseball cap. If she could have chosen a day to look her worst, this was it.

"It's slow work:' Arcineh finally heard Nicky saying. "We would love to talk to whoever did the original and ask him what he was thinking, but the plan is to have it look the same, and all those curves and angles go together very slowly."

The room suddenly grew quiet. Arcineh had tried to just listen to Nicky, but her eyes would not stay away from her grandfather. He was looking at her as well. Arcineh spoke.

"Hello, Sam:'

"Hello, Arcineh."

The other two men watched this exchange and stayed quiet.

"Is this actually what you do for a living?" Sam asked. A small smile bent the corners of his mouth, and his voice did not give away the pounding of his heart.

Arcineh had to smile as well. "For the moment, yes."

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The words died between them then, and she looked over to see Gage studying her.

"How did things end up with Siena Designs?" she asked him. "That's who you are Gage said in wonder. "Do you remember much about that meeting?'

"I remember everything about that meeting:'

Gage's entire stance changed. He came to full attention and demanded without thinking, "I need you to tell me exactly what you know!"

Arcineh's brows rose in a way that both Sam and Nicky knew as dangerous, but she addressed herself to her grandfather. And in Italian.

"Mr. Sefton has forgotten himself. I don't work for him anymore:'

"What did she say?" Gage asked quietly of Sam, knowing he'd blundered.

"I'll tell you later:'

"But if she can help:' Gage began.

Sam turned his full body to the younger man.

"I don't know what's going on between the two of you, but right now you need to trust me when I tell you that now is not the time. I will get back to you on this:'

Gage looked into the older man's eyes and nodded, a tough thing

to do when he was up to his ears in litigation with the design firm

from Italy and suddenly saw Arcineh as a potential lifeline.

Sam walked to Arcineh next, reminding himself not to hug her. "Will you have dinner with me tonight?" he asked.

Arcineh looked surprised but still asked, "Just the two of us?" "Yes:'

"I would enjoy that:'

"Let's dress up," Sam said next.

Arcineh laughed a little. "My hands are pretty rough these days:' "You'll look beautiful:' he said sincerely, his eyes on her face.

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Arcineh smiled at him, not sure how she was keeping from falling apart.

"I'll pick you up," Sam said next. "Just give me the address, and I'll find it:'

Arcineh told him, but suddenly grabbed his arm.

"How is Violet?"

"She's fine. She just left for a six-week trip to Europe:' Arcineh's mouth opened, and Sam laughed.

"How did you talk her into that?"

"It wasn't easy:' Sam said, his smile lighting his whole face. Arcineh studied him, thinking he was the same and yet very different. She wondered how she seemed to him.

"What time can I pick you up?"

"Well, I get home about 5:30. I could be ready by 6:15:' "I'll be there:'

Sam didn't stay around. He could feel the emotion welling up inside of him and knew that Arcineh was close to tears. With a word of thanks, Sam exited, Gage close behind him.

"Do you want to tell me who that is?" Nicky asked of Arcineh when they had the old kitchen to themselves.

"My grandfather, Sam Bryant:'

"Arcineh Bryant. I never made the connection:' Nicky said, thinking out loud. "And he knows Gage Sefton?"

"He must. How do you know Gage Sefton?"

"This was his great-grandfather's house. He's the main benefactor on this project:'

Not at any point had Arcineh heard this, and she wondered if it hadn't been talked about or if she was spending too much time lost in her own little world. She eventually went back to work, her head full of what had just happened and trying to make sense of it.

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"Your granddaughter?" Gage questioned Sam as he drove them both back toward the financial district.

"Yes."

"Why was she working for me?"

"I don't know. We've been estranged. Today was the first time I've seen her in more than four years:'

Gage didn't know what to say. He wanted to jump right back to the issue with Siena Designs but knew how insensitive that would be. And indeed he was sensitive right then. Sam's face was thoughtful, but he didn't have much to say. If he hadn't seen his granddaughter for four years, he was probably in a little bit of shock.

Gage was happy to make the drive back in silence.

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Chapter Fifteen

"This is nice:' Arcineh said, looking around the restaurant but not seeing many people. Her grandfather had clearly asked for a private table. She was glad. She had already cried at work, and then in the shower after work, and she knew it would happen again.

"I picked it for a special reason:'

"Why was that?"

"They have a white chocolate dessert that I think someone will love:'

Arcineh had to look away. He remembered the white chocolate. She knew if she looked into his smiling eyes any longer, she was going to burst into uncontrollable tears.

"We can cry later:' Sam teased her gently. "Why don't we order?"

Arcineh nodded, and sure enough a waiter was headed their way. It took a little doing--the menu was diverse--but when he left they went back to talking.

"How is Quinn?" Arcineh asked. Somewhere along the line she'd run out of anger. She didn't want to live with her cousin, but she did care.

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"She has a baby:'

"A baby? Did she ever get married?"

"Yes, and she's already in the midst of a divorce."

Arcineh looked stunned.

"The marriage was not a good thing. The same day she learned she was pregnant, she also realized Tayte was cheating on her:' "Tayte? She married Tayte?"

"I'm afraid so:'

"That's sad:'

"She's doing well now:' Sam added. "I bought a house in Schaumburg, and she lives there with the baby. When the divorce is through, I'll gift it to her:'

"And everyone else?"

"About the same:' Sam said. "Jeremy and Tiffany are still in Creve Coeur. Austin and Lexa are married and have a child:'

"Wow. You're a great-grandfather:' Arcineh said, watching when he didn't smile.

"I know you didn't mean it this way, but it's got to be said, Arcie. I haven't been a great grandfather, and if you don't want anything to do with me, I'll understand. But I hope you'll allow me to apologize."

Their salads arrived just then, and that was good. Arcineh needed a moment to regroup. It was such a shock to hear him say that. But there was still something she needed to make clear.

"It was never you," Arcineh said softly. "I just couldn't live with Quinn."

"I know that now. She confessed everything to me, all the lies and manipulation. I was a blind fool where she was concerned." "She told you?"

"Everything she could remember. She's a different person now:' Arcineh didn't know what to say. This was the last thing she

expected. All this time she pictured Quinn and her grandfather in

the same place, but that image had been all wrong.

"How is your salad?"

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"It's very good. I was hungry:'

"You look very nice, by the way."

"Thank you. I noticed your suit. You're still classy:' Arcineh said, thinking that his hair was almost all white these days. It made him very distinguished. His face on the other hand, had no more seams in it than the last time she saw him.

"I was nervous before you picked me up:' Arcineh admitted, "and drank a bunch of water. Will you please excuse me?"

"Of course. I would stand up, but then I'd have to slide back into this booth:'

This made Arcineh laugh before she scooted off to take care of matters. Sam continued to eat, but it wasn't long before he looked up and saw Gage walking by. The younger man just happened to glance that way, and Sam waved.

"Hello:' Gage said, taking the edge of the booth. "I didn't expect to see you out:'

"I'm here with Arcie."

"I'm glad, Sam. I won't stick around:'

"Why don't I call you tomorrow?"

"Sounds good:' Gage agreed, and moved to go. He changed his mind when Arcineh chose that moment to return.

She was dressed in a little black dress that, although not overly tight, showed Arcineh's true figure to him for the first time. It was simply cut and not at all revealing in the neckline, and stopped midway down her thighs to show those dancer's legs. Gage could only stare. Her hair was dark and thick around her face and shoulders, and so were the lashes around large, dark eyes. Her skin looked creamy, and just in time, Gage pulled his mind back from studying her mouth.

At last he looked at Sam, who was watching him in confusion.

"I'll call you tomorrow," Sam repeated.

"Yes, I'll plan on it:'

Sam waited only until Gage was out of sight to turn to Arcineh, but she had the first question.

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"Why was he here?"

"Just a coincidence, I assure you," Sam answered before asking, "What happened just now? He looked at you like he'd never seen you before."

"He hasn't. At least, not like this."

Sam looked completely confused but waited.

"I had to dress down to get a job. Carlee advised me about that a long time ago, and not until I'd been turned away by everyone in the financial district did I remember. I dressed down, and Rugby hired me on my first interview."