by Ursula Renee
Georgia dropped into the chair next to the entryway. Her stomach lurched at the news.
“You’re married?” Nicholas asked.
“Of course I am. Gio’d only do right by me.”
Nicholas’s mouth dropped open. He glanced from his sister to his friend. A smile slowly took over his face.
“If you wanted to marry, why didn’t you say something instead of running off?”
“We were afraid Papa would say no if Gio asked for permission.” She moved to Georgia’s side. “Aren’t you going to say something?”
Georgia wanted to scream, “Have you lost your freakin’ mind?” and try to shake some sense into her friend. Instead of giving in to her first instinct, she gently shook her head as she whispered, “I can’t believe you’re married.”
“Neither can I. Everything’s happened so fast.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“How about ‘Congratulations’?”
That would have been the first word out of her mouth if there was any cause to celebrate. However, she did not see any good coming from the marriage and could not pretend to share in her friend’s joy.
Before they grew old waiting for Georgia to force the word from her mouth, Mr. Santiano stopped pacing. “Ladies, I need to discuss a few things with Gianni,” he announced. “Go upstairs and talk.”
Celeste took Georgia’s hand. “Come on.”
Georgia followed her friend out of the room. They ran up the two flights to the top floor, which Celeste and Nicholas had shared until he moved out.
“You still haven’t said anything,” Celeste said once they were in her bedroom.
“I’m in shock.” Georgia plopped down on the white floral quilt covering the full-sized bed. It was as honest as she could get without hurting her friend’s feelings.
“I know.” Celeste dropped to her knees in front of Georgia. “Things didn’t happen as I always said I wanted it. But you have to understand we had to do it this way. Papa would’ve never agreed.”
“Whose idea was it to elope?”
“Gio’s.”
Georgia had suspected as much. Celeste would never have come up with the idea of going behind her father’s back.
“I was so scared, and it took him a lot of convincing. But I finally agreed this was the best way.”
“But don’t you think this is sudden? I mean, how long have you’ve been going out?”
“It doesn’t matter. We’ve known each other most of our lives.”
“And you didn’t want to consider your options?”
“What options? If you haven’t noticed, I didn’t have any.” Celeste pointed to her birthmark. “Not with this damn thing on my face.”
“Celeste, there’s nothing wrong with you. Someone who’s really good at heart won’t give too figs about your birthmark.”
“And I found that person. Gio wanted me despite this thing.” Celeste sighed.
“Still, there are others out there.”
“Not for me.” Georgia opened her mouth, but Celeste held up her hand to stop her. “It’s easy for you to talk about options. You’re beautiful, so you have choices.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen men, both colored and white, stare at you when you walk into a room. When you’re finally ready to get married, you’ll have more than enough men to pick from. Me…” Celeste shook her head. “I don’t have the luxury of playing games. If Gio slipped away there might not be another. And I’ll be damned if I end up unmarried and childless, taking care of my elderly father.”
It broke Georgia’s heart that Celeste thought so little of herself. She was certain her friend would have found someone decent if she had waited.
“Please don’t be upset with me,” Celeste said.
“I’m not mad at you.” Georgia forced a grin on her face. She did not want Gianni to come between them. “I just want the best for you.”
“This is the best.” Celeste moved from the floor to the bed. She threw her arms around Georgia. “You’ll see, I’m going to be happy.”
Though the last thing she felt was joy, Georgia embraced her. She figured the gesture was enough to convey how much she cared.
Georgia stayed to the celebratory dinner…if one could call it a celebration. Nonna Sophie refused to speak to the newlyweds. Mr. Santiano showed no emotion. Even the groom looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there.
The only ones in a celebratory mood were Celeste, who had hooked a husband, and Nicholas, because the husband was his best friend.
Once dinner was over, Georgia insisted she needed to get back home. She hugged everyone, with the exception of Gianni, then followed Nicholas to his car. She settled into the passenger seat and stared at her hands in her lap.
Georgia finally glanced up after she felt the tug on her ponytail. They were parked in front of the bar. She had spent the entire ride silently brooding.
She turned to Nicholas. He cocked an eyebrow.
“Cat’s got your tongue?”
“I’ve a lot on my mind,” she replied.
“Nothing should be worrying that pretty little head of yours.”
Georgia shook her head.
“Why? You’re not happy for Celeste and Gianni?”
“I’m surprised your father agreed to the union.”
“Why wouldn’t he? Gianni will make a good husband.”
“He promised your mother that Celeste would marry someone with a legitimate job.”
“I’m sure they’ll work something out.”
She would have preferred if that included Mr. Santiano telling his son-in-law to go to hell and never return. A swift kick in the rear to help him on his way would also work.
“If you frown any harder, your bottom lip’s going to drag on the floor. What’s going on?”
Georgia debated over whether or not she should disclose her suspicions. Her best friend’s husband was Nicholas’s best friend. However, she wondered how much of a friend she was being by keeping her suspicions to herself.
Nicholas poked her ribs.
Georgia giggled. “Stop.” She squirmed closer to the door.
He poked her again. “Why should I?”
“’Cause I’m ticklish.” She slapped at his hand.
“Then it’d be in my best interest to continue, until I get information.”
He moved to poke her again. She should have known the man would stoop to underhanded techniques to get her to talk.
“Okay, okay, okay,” she conceded. “I’ll tell you.”
“Well?” he asked, after a minute passed.
Georgia took a deep breath. It was now or never. “Gianni’s not the right man for Celeste.” She rushed through the words. Strangely, saying the words did not relieve the pressure in her chest. It felt like whatever was sitting on her got heavier.
A minute passed before he asked, “Why do you say that?”
Georgia shrugged.
“No, that’s not good enough.” Nicholas sat back. “You make a statement like that, you better have something to back it up.”
She sighed. “It’s a feeling I get whenever I’m around him.”
“You’re saying my friend’s not good enough for my sister ’cause of a feeling you have? Please tell me there’s more.”
“No, but my feelings have never been wrong.”
Nicholas’s fingers drummed the top of the steering wheel. He only became fidgety when he was pissed.
“Apologize.”
Georgia shook her head. Her father had taught her never to apologize for speaking her mind. Of course, he also told her to think before she spoke or else she would have to face the consequences of her words.
“So, is that it?”
“Yes,” she replied despite the feeling she was about to learn the consequences of speaking out against his friend.
Nicholas shifted the car into drive and waited.
Knowing what he wanted, Georgia climbed out of the car.
<
br /> “Nicholas—”
“Close the door.”
With a sigh, she obeyed. The door barely clicked before he slammed his foot on the gas. The car squealed around the corner.
Though she knew he was not going to return, Georgia remained on the corner, long after the sound of the squealing tires faded. In one afternoon, she had lost her two best friends, and she felt as if her world had come to an end.
Chapter 8
The explosion from his knuckles slamming against the wood sent a pain shooting from the base of Nicholas’s skull to his forehead. He wanted to curl up in a corner and whimper. However, his desire to make things right with Georgia overrode his need for coddling.
He would have stopped by the previous day to talk with her, but he’d been too busy nursing the hangover from hell. After driving off, he had returned to his father’s house and insisted on taking Gianni out for a drink under the guise of celebrating his friend’s nuptials. In reality, he wanted to drink until he could no longer feel the disappointment of Georgia’s words.
For someone who believed in equality, she had some nerve, looking down on his friend. And then to blame her suspicions on a feeling? He took that as a copout. She did not say what she truly felt: she did not think Gianni was good enough.
After considerable thought, Nicholas realized Georgia had never really had the chance to get to know Gianni. When they were children, the boys spent more time at Gianni’s apartment than they did at the Santianos’ house. The situation could be remedied if the two couples hung out a few times.
After a minute, Nicholas knocked again. He had barely lowered his hand before the door swung open and he was staring at a less than amused colored man wearing green cotton pajamas.
“What the hell do you want?” Mr. Collins grumbled.
“I’m here to drive Georgia to…” Nicholas barely caught himself before he revealed Georgia’s secret.
“Drive her where?”
“We were…we were gonna hang out.”
“Someone forgot to mention it to her. She left out of here twenty minutes ago.”
Shocked, Nicholas glanced at his watch. He stared at it a minute before he realized the damn thing had stopped.
“What time is it?”
“Time you realize some people work nights and sleep during the day.” The man stepped back and slammed the door in Nicholas’s face.
The dismissal told Nicholas he had not redeemed himself in the other man’s eyes. Not that he cared. Nicholas’s only concern was Georgia. After he failed to show up at seven, she had probably assumed he was too mad to stick to the routine of picking her up and driving her to the diner.
Nicholas headed back to his car. If he took the side streets, he could arrive at the diner before her bus, which had to stop to pick up and drop off passengers. He, however, had not considered the school buses that drove down the middle of the narrow streets, making it impossible for him to go around. When he was finally clear of the school bus, he had to deal with crossing guards who refused to let traffic move as long as a child was in sight, even when the youngsters were a half a block away.
By the time he reached the diner, Georgia was waiting at the corner for the light to change. He made a u-turn and double-parked in front of the diner.
Nicholas used to lecture her on daydreaming when she was by herself. Her lack of reaction to his squealing tires said she had not broken the habit.
Oblivious to her surroundings, she strolled into the restaurant. Nicholas did not bother rushing after her. Once she reached her office, there was nowhere else for her to go.
“You’re here kinda late today,” his uncle commented as Nicholas stepped into the kitchen. “Traffic?”
“Overslept,” he replied, deciding he’d rather not go into details about his overindulgence.
“Still nursing your hangover?” His uncle chuckled.
Nicholas slouched against a wall. He didn’t need to discuss his less than finest moment. His father had already spread the word about him sleeping it off on his sofa. Those men gossiped more than hags.
“What’s so bad you had to find the answer in the bottom of a bottle?”
Though he realized his uncle was only trying to help, Nicholas did not want to discuss the argument between Georgia and himself with anyone other than the woman involved. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
The older man transferred two slices of pancetta to a plate. “That’s okay. You don’t have time anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Your father left a message in case you stopped by. He wants you to meet him at Gracie’s.”
Nicholas preferred talking to Georgia over seeing his father. However, unless he had a good excuse, like he was in the middle of another job his father had assigned to him, he did not ignore a summons. Besides, whatever it was would not take long. He would be back at the diner before Georgia left for the day.
“I’ll be back,” Nicholas said before he walked out of the kitchen.
The drive back to the northern part of the borough took only a half hour. Nicholas parked behind his father’s black town car. The driver’s face was obscured behind the newspaper he was reading.
Nicholas followed two men pulling the red carpet inside to be cleaned. He waved to a few workers who had been employed by his father for years.
“He’s in the back,” Alton called from across the room.
He nodded his gratitude for the information before he headed down the hall. In the office, his father sat behind the desk, several papers scattered in front of him. Gianni slouched on a brown leather sofa at the right. Nicholas turned the back of a matching chair to the wall to see both men.
“I’m glad you were finally able to zip it up long enough to join us,” his father mumbled.
“I had to drive up from Coney Island.” Nicholas dropped into his seat. “But now that you put the idea in my head, I might just look up someone.”
Though he had no intention of doing so, he made the comment to rile the older man. His first priority when they finished was to return to the diner.
“It’ll have to wait. We have business to discuss.”
Nicholas cocked an eyebrow. The last time he’d met with his father at Gracie’s, the older man was still trying to convince him to take over running the club.
“Whaddaya need?”
His father glanced toward the sofa. “I remember what it was like after I married Gracie. We lived in my place for a year before I bought the house. The apartment was barely big enough for one, much less two. I won’t have Celeste living in a shithole where you banged your broads. Therefore, I’m buying you a house.”
“Appreciate it.” Gianni sniffed. There was no emotion in his voice. He continued to slouch on the sofa.
To a stranger, it would appear as if he did not care. Nicholas, however, knew his friend was grateful. Gianni never got excited over anything. He also did not believe in wasting his breath to say something unless he meant it.
“I know someone who’s got a place to sell,” his father continued. “We’ll go over later and look at it.” He sifted through the papers on the desk. “Have you thought about how you’re going to support my princess?”
Gianni shrugged his shoulders.
“Since you don’t have any ideas, I’ll help you out. I bought this club for Nick, but he’s determined to be a thug. Since he doesn’t want it, I’m giving it to you as a wedding present.”
Surprise flashed in Gianni’s eyes. The expression lasted a second before his face went blank.
“I’ve got a job.”
“As of this moment, you no longer work or hang out with Nick. You’re a married man, and you’re going to act like one. You’ve been friends with the family long enough to know their mother didn’t want them around hustlers.” The older man pointed to Nicholas. “There was nothing I could do about him, but I swore Celeste would marry a decent man who earned an honest living, and I’ll be damned if I break my word.”
“I d
on’t know nothing about running a club.”
“You’ll learn.”
Gianni sat forward and glared at his father-in-law. Nicholas wondered if his friend was still drunk. There was only so much his father would take before he sprang out of his chair and demonstrated why people feared him.
The tension escalated as his father sat back. His right eyelid twitched. It was the only warning an adversary got before he went for blood.
Nicholas shifted in his seat, prepared to jump between the two men. If they came to blows, no matter who won, he’d lose.
After a second, Gianni averted his gaze. While some would consider him a punk for turning away, Nicholas saw his friend’s action as a sign that he came to his senses. Only a person with a death wish challenged a bull with nothing more than his bare hands.
“You’ll need to read through those.” His father slapped some papers on the corner of the desk. “I also suggest you familiarize yourself with the books.” He patted a ledger under his right arm. “I always check behind the bookkeepers. Makes it harder for them to steal from you. But you’ll have plenty of time to do all that.” His father glanced past Nicholas and waved to the empty chair. “Come, have a seat.”
The Santianos’ lawyer walked into the office. The family had retained the services of the middle-aged man when he graduated from law school twenty years earlier.
For the next couple of hours various lawyers and accountants stopped by with papers that needed to be read, signed, and witnessed in order to officially transfer the club to Gianni. During the transactions, Gianni slouched in the sofa. He barely glanced at the papers handed to him. He simply signed his name where indicated before passing the papers back to the lawyer.
Nicholas assumed his friend was overwhelmed. It was only natural. A week ago, Gianni was a single man who had only himself to think of. Now he was suddenly thrust into the role of husband and business owner, roles most men had weeks, months, even years to prepare for. Roles both of them had sworn they would never be lassoed into.
****
Georgia’s fingers struck the desk where buttons would have been had the adding machine not been snatched away. She turned her head as far as her stiff neck allowed and glanced at the man frowning down at her.
