Dude, get a grip. When did you become this attracted to Natalie? Seeing her after class yesterday has been causing all sorts of thoughts to go through his head. And, yeah, most of them involve Natalie sweaty and disheveled.
She pouts.
Anthony feels his groin tighten. That mouth.
“It was great!” Natalie says too quickly. “I had a great time!”
He can tell she’s lying, but feels a peculiar twinge of jealousy anyway. “Good for you. Another new experience under your belt.”
She’s watching the mixing bowl, but shoots him a dark look. After a few seconds she reaches over to turn the machine off. It’s clear she’s annoyed with him about something, but he has no idea what.
He smirks. “Whatever it is, I swear I’m innocent.”
“What do you mean?”
Anthony shakes his head, chuckling to himself. “Forget it. I came in to get the numbers from you and to talk to you about that star party. Why don’t you come out front when you’re ready?” He leaves the kitchen and makes his way out to the front counter to get in line for coffee. Two of the women in line are smiling at him, but he pretends not to notice. Instead, he gets out his phone and studies his email.
He orders his usual espresso breve and takes a seat by the window. As soon as he sits down his phone starts playing the Star Wars theme song. A glance tells him it’s Graham.
“Hey brah, what’s up?”
“Just thought you should know I got some interest in the space next to the bakery.”
Anthony glances around. He’s not sure if he wants to have this conversation right here.
“They want to come by and see the space,” Graham continues. “What should I tell them?”
Anthony quickly runs through possible scenarios in his mind. He knows Blair and Natalie aren’t turning enough business away to warrant leasing them that space. At this point he’s certain they’d overextend themselves.
“When do they want to see it?”
“Tonight.”
He thinks it over. Serena’s school tuition is due next month, and he promised Nicole he’d take care of the entire amount. “Okay, tell them that’s fine. Don’t have them sign anything yet though. Let’s make sure their financing is solid. Also, how do they plan to use the space?”
“Clothing boutique.”
“Okay. Let me know what happens.”
Anthony hangs up. He doesn’t want to screw Natalie and Blair over, but at the same time that space has been empty for months and he needs to find a tenant who can afford to pay.
Natalie is still in back so he pulls his computer out. He and a colleague are working on a proposal for time with an orbiting telescope called SWIFT that detects gamma-ray bursts. He talks with his assistant, Maya, to get the information he needs. Anthony is so focused on his computer as he talks that he doesn’t even notice Natalie until she takes a seat in the chair right across from him.
“Got to go, Maya,” he says into his phone. “I’ll see you in a short while though, yeah?”
Natalie is studying him and still seems annoyed for some reason.
“You wanted to see this?” Natalie asks, holding up the notebook where she records the business they’ve had to turn away.
“Sure.”
She finds the relevant page and hands it over. He looks over the new numbers, quickly memorizing everything before handing it back.
“I’m still amazed you can do that.”
Anthony shrugs and takes his glasses off. He works with plenty of people like him who can do complex equations in their heads. Memorizing numbers doesn’t seem that impressive, though it’s true, he can memorize quite a bit more math than most people.
“Have you ever counted cards?”
Anthony looks up at her in surprise. “That’s an odd question.”
Natalie gives an embarrassed smile. “I don’t know why I asked that. Listen, I can’t go to that star party with you.”
Anthony doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. He tries to remember the last time a woman turned down a chance to be with him.
“I know I’m new to this whole dating thing, but I’m not stupid. Justine is obviously your girlfriend, so I’m not sure why you even asked me to go.”
He picks up his coffee. It’s his turn to be annoyed. “Justine is not my girlfriend.”
“She’s not?”
“No, I agreed to have coffee with her one time—actually, the day you and Blair came up to me.”
Natalie is surprised and then skeptical. “What about when she showed up in your office yesterday?”
“That’s exactly right—she showed up, on her own. I had nothing to do with that.”
Natalie opens her mouth and then closes it.
“And I asked you to go to the star party because I thought you might enjoy yourself,” he continues.
She considers this. “Well, it’s still a bad idea.”
Anthony puts his coffee down. Is Natalie playing hard to get? It’s an intriguing notion.
“And why is that?”
“Because you’re our evil landlord. Plus, I’m newly divorced and that complicates everything.”
Even though Natalie just gave him the exact reasons he decided to call it off, he finds himself disinclined to let it go. “And did your date last night have something to do with this decision?”
She fiddles with the notebook in her hands and then looks out the window. “Not really.”
He studies her face as she takes in the street view outside. She’s wearing very little makeup and in the window’s natural light he sees dark shadows under her eyes. Her newly blonde hair is swept back away from her face in that stern ponytail she always wears at work. Despite her prickly façade, he senses vulnerability beneath the surface.
Anthony decides he’d like to tear that ponytail down. Tear that apron off, too. He’s surprised by his reaction to her because he still finds her stubbornness annoying as hell. She’s getting under his skin, though.
“My date didn’t exactly happen.” She turns back to him. “I only made it to the parking lot.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just that. I drove to the parking lot of the restaurant where I was supposed to meet him, and then left.” She studies the notebook in her hands.
“You didn’t go inside?”
“No.”
He chuckles. “You just left that poor guy sitting there waiting for you?” This cheers him up quite a bit.
“I texted him from the parking lot and told him I couldn’t make it.”
“What did he say?”
“He didn’t like it. Said I was rude to cancel at the last minute.”
“He sounds like a jerk.”
She looks up. “Do you think so?”
“Yeah.” Though he really has no idea. He just knows he doesn’t want Natalie going out with some loser. “What did you do then? Go home?”
“No, I couldn’t go home because my sister Lindsay was there and she would have freaked out, so I went boxing. Luckily, I still had my gym clothes in the car.”
Anthony has a vision of Natalie wearing nothing but skimpy boxing shorts and a T-shirt two sizes too small. She’s sweaty and her hair’s coming loose, bouncing against him. Those magnificent breasts are barely contained.
God. He swallows.
“The boxing was the best part of my evening,” she says, and then starts to laugh. It reminds him of their phone conversations. Her laughter is earthy and real and full of promise. He likes it. A lot.
“Sounds like you’re a badass after all,” he tells her, shifting in his chair to accommodate the erection now plaguing him.
She laughs some more. “Yeah, all I need is a motorcycle. Maybe I could borrow yours!”
Anthony tilts his head back slightly. “How did you know I ride a motorcycle?”
“You sometimes wear a motorcycle jacket and I’ve seen you carrying a helmet around.”
“You’re very observant.”
Her ch
eeks flush. “I just happened to notice.”
“What else have you noticed about me?”
Natalie’s cheeks turn a darker shade of pink. “Nothing. I haven’t noticed anything.”
She’s so embarrassed Anthony wonders exactly how much she has been observing him. His phone vibrates and he glances down at it, freezing when he sees the time. He has a meeting in twenty minutes with a group of postgraduate students to discuss the data from their recent Keck observing run. “Shit. I apologize, but I have to go.”
Natalie watches him as he stands up and quickly packs his computer away. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Have you ever been on time for anything in your life?”
“No,” he admits. “I’m usually late for everything.”
“You need to be more organized.”
He snorts. “So I’ve been told.”
“I always keep track of when I’m supposed to be somewhere. As a result, I’m never late.”
“Good for you.” He remembers all too well how she busted his balls for being late to their first meeting. Despite that, when he turns to her and finds those sultry lips are smiling at him, he suddenly wishes he could stay longer. Anthony slings his bag over his shoulder and motions toward the door. “I got to jet. Ciao, Natalie,” he says with a grin.
“Ciao.” She grins back.
For some reason, he’s still smiling halfway up the block before he realizes what he has to do. He glances at his watch. He’s going to be crazy late for his meeting.
The aroma of espresso and fresh pastries surrounds him when he enters the bakery again. There’s a new line of people near the counter, and he murmurs, “Excuse me,” to everyone as he pushes his way to the front. Natalie is there behind the pastry case, rearranging things. She looks up in surprise to see him.
“Anthony? Did you forget something?”
He hesitates. For some reason, he’s nervous. “I want you to come with me to that star party on Saturday,” he says, breathless from running. “No excuses.”
“I don’t think—”
“You have to. It’ll be your next new thing.”
Natalie bites her lip and glances to the side. “I just . . . it’s not a good idea. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but you’re not really my type.”
Anthony doesn’t move. He’s too stunned to speak for a couple seconds. “I’m not your type?”
“You’re very handsome, obviously,” she says quickly. “But I don’t think we’re well suited.”
He stares at her and realizes she’s completely serious. I’m being rejected. It’s an odd sensation to have a woman reject him and he lingers over it for a moment. Quickly he regroups and decides to handle her the same way he does his family. He tries again.
“Come with me anyway—as friends.”
“Friends?”
“Yes, friends. Nothing more.”
She appears to mull it over.
“Star parties are a lot of fun. Have you ever seen the rings of Saturn?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Or Jupiter’s great red spot?”
“I can’t say—”
“The weather should be clear, too, so don’t miss this opportunity.” Anthony groans to himself. Dude, you sound like you’re selling her a refrigerator.
“Okay,” she finally agrees. “I’ll go, but only as friends.”
It’s Saturday night and Natalie is running late.
Late.
After telling Anthony how she never runs late.
Come to think of it, I must have sounded like a bitch talking to him like that.
“I thought this wasn’t a real date and that you were just going out with the landlord to be friendly?” Lindsay says. She’s lying on Natalie’s bed propped up on one elbow.
“We are just going out as friends. It’s going to be fun and informative. I’ve never seen the rings of Saturn.”
“And that’s the fourth time you’ve mentioned the rings of Saturn. Who gives a crap about Saturn?”
Natalie glances down nervously at the clock on her nightstand. It’s ten to nine. Anthony sent her a text yesterday asking for her address. He also told her he’d pick her up at nine and to dress warmly. Unfortunately, it’s hard to dress warmly and still look attractive when you have large breasts. The problems start every time she tries on her puffy white coat.
I look like a polar bear. A polar bear stuffed into shapewear and bootcut jeans.
“And why are you putting on so many clothes?”
“It’s a star party,” Natalie explains to Lindsay as she tries to pull her coat on over her sweater again. “Remember, I told you about it. We’re going to be outside all night.”
Lindsay watches from the bed. “You can’t wear your puffy coat over that sweater. You look like a polar bear.”
Natalie groans. “This is impossible.”
“Just wear the sweater without the coat.”
“But then I’ll be freezing all night.”
“Who cares? Better to freeze than look ridiculous.”
“Maybe I should just cancel.” She glances at the clock again. “He’ll be here in five minutes!”
But wait, Anthony is always late. It’s five to nine, which means he probably won’t be here until quarter after. Natalie lets out a little sigh of relief.
Lindsay gets off the bed. “Don’t you have another jacket you can wear?”
“I have my black pea coat, but it’s shorter and I don’t know if it’s warm enough.”
Lindsay taps her finger against her lip, studying Natalie. “Hold on, I think I have a scarf you could borrow. You could wear that along with the pea coat.”
Just as Lindsay leaves the room and Natalie is struggling to pull off her puffy coat, the front door bell rings.
No.
It can’t be.
Anthony is always late.
Natalie rushes over to the bedroom window and sees a black SUV parked in her driveway.
He’s here and he’s on time.
For me.
She stops for a second and smiles.
Lindsay pops her head in the door and throws a couple of scarves at her. “Try these with your pea coat. I’m going to go answer the door.”
Natalie picks up one of the blue scarves and attempts to arrange it in the stylish way Lindsay always wears hers. She ties it this way and that. The more she fiddles with it, the more it looks like something someone blew their nose in.
She wonders if she should go downstairs. Isn’t it rude to keep him waiting?
Suddenly her bedroom door swings open, with Lindsay on the other side. “Wow,” she says, breathless. “He’s hot! I know you and Blair told me he was good looking, but damn—he’s smokin.’”
She notices the mess Natalie has made with the scarf and hurries over to fix it. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me he was this hot? We should have started on you hours ago!”
“I had to work today. I left early as it is.”
Lindsay just shakes her head. She pulls the scarf off, does something with it and slips it over Natalie’s head in a tidy stylish knot. “That’s better. You need more makeup now.”
“Do I really need more makeup? I mean, I probably shouldn’t keep him waiting much longer.”
“Don’t worry, this will only take a few seconds. Plus, it’s good to keep a guy waiting. Don’t you know anything?”
Lindsay pulls Natalie into the bathroom and grabs some blush from the counter.
“Don’t put too much on,” Natalie says.
“You need more makeup at night. Trust me.”
Natalie doesn’t say anything, but just watches her sister go to work on her face. The truth is, she does trust Lindsay.
After a few minutes, Lindsay steps back and gives her a wink in the mirror. “There you are. Now go get him.”
Natalie studies her reflection. “We’re just friends. And I’ve always wanted to see the—”
“—rings of Saturn, I
know!” Lindsay laughs. “Only now I understand why!”
When Natalie goes downstairs, she finds Anthony leaning against the wall in the front entryway, studying his phone. He looks up, meets her eyes, and her heart nearly stops. He’s so blindingly handsome it’s like having a movie star in the house.
“Hel-lo,” she manages to choke out.
He smiles. “Hi.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“That’s okay. Are you ready to go?”
“Almost, I just need to get something from the kitchen.”
Star Wars music starts playing on Anthony’s phone and he glances down at it. “Excuse me, but I have to take this. I’ll just wait for you outside, if that’s all right?”
“Sure.” She watches him walk toward the door and wonders if it’s another woman calling. This isn’t a date, so what do I care, right?
Natalie gets the container of cookies she baked that afternoon and checks on some dough she has rising on the kitchen counter.
Lindsay comes downstairs, carrying her laptop. She glances around. “Where did he go?”
“He’s outside on his phone. I’m leaving now. I’m not sure if I’ll get cell reception out where we’re going, so if there’s any problem I told Chloe to call you.” It was Peter’s weekend so Chloe was staying over there. She seldom called, but Natalie still worried anyway.
“Sure, that’s fine.”
“And you don’t have to bother waiting up for me. I doubt I’ll be home until well after midnight.”
Her sister puts her laptop down on the coffee table. “Hey, stay out as long as you want. Ride that man like a bronco and don’t come home until you’ve put him in the hospital.”
“Lindsay!” Natalie bursts out laughing. “It’s not like that!”
“Whatever. Just tell him you want to play with his big hard telescope and that you know he has one.”
“Oh, my God, I’ll talk to you later.”
Natalie is still chuckling when she finds Anthony on her front porch. He appears to be finishing up his phone call.
“Yeah, brah, no problem. Thanks, Graham.”
“Oh, is that Graham? Please tell me you’re finally giving us that space.”
Anthony stares at his phone. “Uh, no, not yet.”
Year of Living Blonde (Sweet Life in Seattle, Book 1) Page 17
