His first stop was the Local Bean. He couldn’t return to Cami’s place and tell her he didn’t bother to check on things. He knew better. He pulled the door open and stepped inside. With about four people in line and three waiting, the place was busy, but Enzo had seen it worse. And Ella and Paulie seemed to be handling the crowd with ease.
Ella took orders, and Paulie made the coffees. It was an efficient process that they easily nailed. Ella spotted Enzo, and she gave him a wave as well as a curious eye. He bypassed the line and came around the counter.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Did Cami send you? I just told her that Paulie and I have everything under control.” Ella took money from the customer, handed them their change, then swung her gaze to Enzo. “So?”
“Cami didn’t send me.”
“Then what the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m just checking in to see if everything is running smoothly, but from what I can see, everything is.”
“Practically fifteen years of serving lobster rolls on the boardwalk in the middle of the August humidity. I think I can handle a register in the nice cold air conditioning.”
Enzo glanced over to Paulie who was drizzling caramel syrup on one coffee and popping a lid on another. His arms were long if not a bit lanky, and his hair was covered by a baseball cap embellished with the Local Bean logo. “What about Paulie?”
“See for yourself.” Ella nodded in Paulie’s direction. “He learned from the best.”
Enzo moved behind the counter and stopped next to Paulie, admiring his handiwork.
“Hi, Mr. Moretti,” Paulie said.
Enzo shook his head. “Just Enzo. Please.” Mr. Moretti made him feel much older than he actually was. “You seem to have a real knack for this.”
“I tend to work better under pressure.” He shrugged. “I turn it into a challenge, and I don’t like to lose.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
“I’m working here, starting at eight.”
“How about you come in earlier and open the store?” Enzo asked.
Paulie’s green eyes widened. “Does that mean I’ll get a key?”
Enzo stifled a laugh. The kid was eager to be given responsibility, and from what Enzo could tell, he was more than capable of handling it. “Temporarily. It’s Cami’s key, so she’ll need it back, but we’ll get one made for you.”
Enzo had snatched the shop key off of Cami’s keychain without her noticing. He already expected her to fight him about going in tomorrow, but if he could get everything set up, she wouldn’t have to worry, and she could give her ankle another day to heal. Besides, she shouldn’t be the only person with a key to her place. What if there was an emergency? While Cami felt she could take on the world, shit happened, and she needed to be more prepared than she was. Giving Paulie the responsibility to open tomorrow was a step in the right direction.
Enzo held the key up to Paulie. “With this key comes great responsibility.”
“Did you just quote Spider-man to me?” Paulie asked.
“Technically Voltaire was first to use that, though many contribute it to Winston Churchill or Franklin D. Roosevelt, or in other cases”—he pointed to Paulie—“Spider-man. It doesn’t matter who said it; the point is that I trust you not to lose this key and to use it to open this place tomorrow morning.”
“I will guard it with my life,” Paulie said, and Enzo placed the key in his palm. Paulie’s fingers curled around it like Enzo just gave him the key of life.
“You wouldn’t happen to know anyone who’s looking for a job and knows how to work a cash register, do you?”
“No, but I can ask around.”
Enzo patted his back. “Do that and let me know.”
“You got it boss,” Paulie said, and Enzo’s first thought was if Cami was here, she would blow a gasket, but she wasn’t, so he didn’t bother correcting Paulie.
Enzo spun to head to the door, and Ella blocked his path. “Haven’t I lost enough people in my life?” she asked, hands planted firmly on her hips.
“What are you talking about?”
“Giving Paulie a key? Did Cami okay that?”
“No, but that’s because she’s stubborn and needs someone to take control away from her.”
“She’s going to murder you and toss you to the birds.”
“She’ll get over it.”
“Yeah, while she’s chopping you up into tiny pieces. Did you know she called right before you got here?”
“No, but I wouldn’t expect any less from her.”
“If you think you can keep her away for more than a day, you’re out of your mind.”
“I might very well be, but I’m the reason she hurt her ankle in the first place, and I’ll do what I need to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself again.”
“Speaking of hurting her…” Ella said. “She comes across as strong and having it all together, but I think the reason she has never been in a serious relationship is because she’s scared of getting hurt.”
“Wait, why are you telling me this?” As far as Enzo knew, he never had a conversation with Ella about Cami. Had Cami talked to Ella about him?
“She likes you Enz, and I probably shouldn’t get myself involved, but I really like the idea of the two of you. At least if you get together, I’ll know you’ll have each other’s backs while I’m in California.”
Ella and her too big heart. He seriously didn’t know how it fit in her chest. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I know, but I can’t help myself.” She shrugged. “You two have been alone for so long, and well… I approve.”
Enzo didn’t need Ella’s approval, but as soon as she said it, the hesitation that he had felt earlier vanished, and all he could think about was getting back to Cami.
“Thanks,” he said. “Will you be able to come in tomorrow and run the register for one more day?”
“For Cami, absolutely. But I’m betting you twenty bucks right now you won’t be able to keep her away from those doors.”
Enzo held out his hand. “You’re on.”
Chapter 17
Cami woke to the smell of seafood wafting through her living room. Her eyes popped open, and she shot up, looking around while she tried to get her bearings.
“Look who decided to wake up.” Enzo’s voice floated out of the kitchen, warm and crisp—the complete opposite of the gruff, aroused voice he had in her dream.
“I must’ve fallen asleep,” she said. “What time is it?” She ran a hand through her hair in case she had couch hair.
“Five o’clock.”
Her jaw dropped open. “In the afternoon?”
“Well, it’s definitely not morning.”
She managed to sleep the entire day away. How did she let that happen? She could have finalized the design for her mugs, called her mom to see if the landscaper came, folded her…
“Did you fold my towels?” she asked.
Enzo stepped out of the kitchen, a dishrag in his hand. “Gave me something to do while you were sleeping.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Only a half hour.”
A half hour! He’d been in her house for a half hour, and she slept right through it. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“You looked so peaceful, and you were snoring, so I figured you were in a pretty deep sleep.”
“I do not snore.”
Amusement danced in his blue irises, the corner of his lips tugging upward. “Oh yes, you do.”
“I definitely do not.” She would know for sure if she was a snorer, and she knew for a fact that she wasn’t.
“Sounded like a hacksaw.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, and if you tell anyone, I’ll have to kill you.”
He laughed. “Then you’re admitting you snore.”
“I never said that.”
“You asked me not to tell anyone which insinuates that you snore.”<
br />
She waved her hand. “I just woke up, I can’t remember the last time I had coffee or food, so whatever I say cannot be held against me.”
“Hungry?” he asked.
“My stomach is currently creating a symphony.”
“Combine that with your snoring, and you can make an album.”
She picked up a pillow and gave him a menacing look. ‘Don’t make me throw this at you.”
“Do you want to eat where you are or in the kitchen?”
She didn’t answer, just stood up, balancing her weight on her good foot. She had slept the day away; surely her ankle was feeling better. She put her foot in front of her and pressed down, immediately realizing that was a bad idea. The worst idea.
She winced, and Enzo crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the kitchen island. “Do you need help.”
“I can manage.”
“The world isn’t going to come to an end if you admit you need help.”
“No, but my dignity will.”
Enzo pushed off the island and came into the living room. “I promise not to tell anyone.” He bent down, took her into his arms, and she resisted the urge to nuzzle into his chest.
“Everything okay at the restaurant?” she asked.
He nodded. “I stopped Grandpa from building a trap to catch Diavolo.”
“The seagull?”
“Yup. He had wire fence and a nail gun, though I have no idea what he needed a nail gun for.”
“What’d you do?”
“Brought him to the bar, poured him a snifter of limoncello, and hid the nail gun and the wire fence.”
Cami laughed. “You know it’s only a matter of time before he goes to look for that stuff.”
“I know, but by then I’m hoping to have figured out a better solution.”
He placed Cami onto one of the kitchen stools and took out to-go containers from a bag.
“What do we have here?” she asked.
“Do you even have to ask?” Enzo said. “Only the world-famous Vinny’s Lobster Roll.”
“I can’t even tell you how long it’s been since I’ve had one of these.”
“Don’t tell my grandfather that. He’ll be putting you on a weekly delivery plan.”
Cami laughed; she wouldn’t put it past Mr. Moretti.
She picked up the hot dog bun filled with fresh, clump lobster meat dripping with goodness and took a healthy bite. She closed her eyes savoring the flavors that had put Vinny’s on the map. “It should be illegal how good these things are.” She chewed, relishing the taste and losing herself to the memories the lobster roll evoked. “I still remember the first time I had one.”
Enzo sat down in a stool across from her, his own lobster roll in front of him.
“It was fifth grade. I swore I didn’t like seafood, and Ella insisted that she could change my mind. Your mom brought us to the Shack for dinner. She had been wearing a white and navy-blue sundress that I thought was the coolest article of clothing I’d ever seen. Her hair was down, smile on her face like always. She told me that it didn’t hurt to try, but nobody would be offended if I didn’t like it, and she would get me something else. Needless to say, one bite and I was hooked.”
“I remember that dress,” he said. “She wore it another time when she took all of us mini-golfing.” Cami finished the sentence with him.
“I remember that day. It was me and you, Ella, Krissy, and Tony. Marco was out with his friends.”
“I was mad at him. I wanted to go out with my friends, but Mom begged me to go, so she could have someone else to help watch you girls.”
“We were a handful, but your mom never said no to us. She always took us wherever we wanted to go. She was the cool mom.” Cami looked down at her lobster roll.
“All my friends had crushes on her,” Enzo admitted.
“Can’t say I blame them. I kind of had a crush on her. Not in a romantic way, but in an I want to be like her when I grow up way.”
Enzo smiled, but it was half-hearted. He rested his elbows on the island and pressed his interlocked fingers against his chin.
“I’m sorry,” Cami said. “I shouldn’t have brought her up.”
“No, it’s not that. I’m happy you did. My family and I spend so much time not talking about her that it’s actually nice to.”
“What about your dad?” Cami asked, and Enzo’s entire body stiffened. His jaw turned to solid rock, unbreakable and painfully tight. “Never mind,” she quickly added. Vinny Jr. was a hot topic for everyone in the Moretti family. He was spending his days in jail, and the only person who visited him to Cami’s knowledge was Ella. Every third Friday of the month, she borrowed one of her brother’s vehicles, drove to the bus stop, and hoofed it to Connecticut for a visit. Enzo, while he offered his Jeep up, never went with Ella. “We don’t have to talk about him.”
He nodded and took a bite of his lobster roll. She felt bad for bringing up the subject and felt like she needed to ease the tension-filled air. She held up her lobster roll. “Do you ever get sick of eating these?”
A laugh rumbled up his throat, and she relaxed into the stool. “You think I would. I’ve been eating them at least two to three times a week since I was a kid, but I don’t. It’s basically part of the food group.”
“That’s healthy.”
His eyes flicked to his biceps, and he purposely flexed, pressing hard muscle against the short sleeves of his button down. “I think I’m doing okay in that department.”
“Had no idea you were so full of yourself.”
“This is nothing. You should see what’s under the shirt.”
“I already have.”
His eyebrow arched. “In your dreams.”
“You wish. Let’s see.” She held her finger up and ticked off. “When you changed my tire. On the beach.”
“I didn’t realize you were keeping a scorecard.”
“I had no idea you were packing so many abs.”
He laughed, and it was so genuine and light-hearted it made her blush. She turned away and faced the kitchen. “You know what would be great right now?”
“I don’t usually let people touch my abs, but I’m willing to make an exception.” He went to reach for the hem of his shirt, and she shook her head.
“Not quite Romeo. I was thinking more like a glass of wine.”
“I can run to the store.”
She shook her head, lips pursed. “It’s like you don’t know me at all.”
She stood and Enzo grabbed her wrist. His heat mixed with hers, sending delicious hot waves coursing through her body.
“Where are you going?”
“To get a glass of wine.” It was a glass of wine, not like she was going out to run a 5k.
“And how do you plan on getting it back here? If you hop, which I know you will, it’ll spill all over the place.”
She gritted her teeth. Damn it. He had a point. An annoying point, but nonetheless, she couldn’t argue with reason, though it was tempting.
She let out a perturbed breath and flopped back onto the stool. It was for the wine after all. “Top shelf of the fridge is an open bottle of Sauvignon blanc. Glasses are in the top left cabinet.”
He went to the fridge, and she watched as he moved around her kitchen with ease. He didn’t look out of place; if anything, he looked like he belonged there. The thought was scary. When it came to her life, she was selfish. She liked things her way, and didn’t like to have to adjust her schedule to work around someone else’s.
“I have beer in the fridge too. Second shelf.”
Enzo bent down and grabbed a beer, placing it on the counter next to the glass. “I didn’t know you were a beer drinker.”
“I’m not. Well, if there’s nothing else, I won’t say no. I prefer wine or margaritas, but I keep it in the fridge for my cousins. They both love their craft beer.”
“How are Remy and Clemmy?” he asked, and it was stupid, but she appreciated him asking.
&nbs
p; “Good. Clemmy just got a new job.”
“That’s great. Doing what?” He placed the glass of wine in front of her, and she happily accepted it.
“Personal assistant.” She went to take a sip and froze. Panic tugged at her gut. “I need to get my car.”
“I spoke with Reid. He promised he won’t give you a ticket, and he’ll check on it during his patrol.”
If Reid said it was okay, then she would believe him. If anyone would know it would be the local sheriff. “I guess it won’t hurt to leave it in the parking lot overnight.”
The muscles in her neck tightened, probably from trying to wince away the pain. She continued talking and rubbed at the tense muscle.
“What’s the matter?” Enzo asked.
“Nothing, just a little tension.”
He stood and walked over to her, placing his beer down beside her glass. His scent surrounded her, his breath a warm caress across the back of her neck. “Let me.”
His hands rested on her shoulders, and his fingers kneaded the taut skin. Her body laxed, tension slowly faded as she closed her eyes and sunk into Enzo’s touch.
A moan rumbled up her throat when he hit an especially tight spot. “How’s that feel?”
“So good.” He worked his strong fingers until she was practically crying out in bliss. She could only imagine what the fingers could do if they were to touch other parts of her body.
She bit her lip at the thought, moisture pooled between her legs, and she tilted her head, caressing her cheek against Enzo’s hand.
His fingers stilled, but for only a moment before they moved up her shoulder and onto her neck. The manly rough patches of his hands skimmed across her skin. Skin to skin she felt the warm blood flowing through him. He massaged a knot, and this time she did cry out as pain turned into pleasure.
He traced a line along the curve of her neck with one finger, sending chills up and down her spine. He teased her with soft circular caresses, building a roaring fire inside her that spread from her core to her chest and to her neck.
She laced her fingers through his, relishing the connection as sparks ignited. He grabbed her face at the same time she spun toward him. His lips came down on her in one quick sweep, capturing hers and claiming them.
His Complete Polar Opposite Page 11
