by SJ McCoy
Cameron rested his elbows on his desk and his chin on his hands. “So, you’re saying that the wedding will be full of all my people and she won’t have anyone? And that that won’t feel good to her?”
“I shouldn’t be saying anything at all. I could be completely wrong, but if she’s not enthusiastic about all your wedding plans, then I think you should sit her down and talk to her and find out why.”
Cameron smiled. “You’re right. I will. I want it to be perfect for her.”
Mary Ellen grinned at him. “You’re a good guy, Cam.”
He laughed. “Thanks. And while we’re on the subject of weddings …” He let his words trail off and raised an eyebrow.
“What about them?”
“What about you? I talked to Chelsea yesterday and she’s convinced that you and Antonio are headed in that direction. I told her it was way too soon to start thinking like that. Then, last night, Piper talked to Laura, and she seemed to think the same thing. Laura even said that Antonio wants to buy a house up there so the two of you can go back since you had so much fun.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you, Cam. We had an amazing weekend. I love that place. Everyone’s so nice. We had a lot of fun out on Saturday night with them.”
“Stop avoiding it. What about you and Antonio?”
She shrugged again. “It could go in that direction.”
Cameron grinned. “Yeah? That’s fantastic.” His grin faded. “But aren’t things moving a little fast?”
She nodded her head vigorously. “I know! It’s ridiculous to even be thinking about it.”
“Is it? I seem to remember you told me that when it comes to love there are no predetermined timelines. It just happens and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
She blew out a sigh. “I know. It was easy for me to spout that stuff when it was about you and Piper or Chelsea and Grant, but now it’s me. I need my timelines; I need known factors.” She laughed. “I need to be in control, dammit.”
Cam laughed with her. “You still can be in control. I find you only lose control when you resist what’s happening. When you accept it and work with it, then you’re still in control. Right?”
She mulled that over. “So, you’re saying that instead of fighting it or denying it, I could just admit that it’s happening and go along with the whirlwind?”
“Yep. I don’t see why not. If it seems inevitable that you’ll end up together, then you can either waste a bunch of time doubting it and fighting it first, or you can get with the program and roll with it from the outset.”
She smiled. “I think I like that idea.”
Cam smiled back. “So, you think it’s inevitable that the two of you will end up together.”
She drew in a deep breath and nodded. “It’s starting to look that way.”
They both turned at the sound of a knock on the door. It was Zoe, with another bunch of flowers, and a big smile.
“These just came for you, Mary Ellen.”
She couldn’t hide her smile. He’d sent her magnolias. She took them, but Zoe lingered in the doorway.
“I’m not going to read the card to you, so you may as well get back out to reception,” she said with a laugh.
“Sorry.” Zoe didn’t look sorry at all, just disappointed that she didn’t get to be nosey.
When she’d gone, Cameron grinned at Mary Ellen. “You don’t get rid of me so easily. What does it say?”
She laughed. “I don’t know yet. I haven’t opened it, have I?”
“So, hurry up. What kind of flowers are they? They look expensive. I don’t think I’ve ever seen those before.”
She brought her hand up to her mouth to try to hide her smile. Antonio did pay attention. He’d claimed that when he knew about her secret Margarita habit, and he’d proved it with the flowers. “They’re magnolias,” she said. “You don’t see them here very often. I didn’t even know florists would deliver them.”
“They’re something special to you?”
She nodded.
“Don’t worry. I won’t pry. I’m just glad he’s done well.”
She nodded happily. “He’s done very well. Very well indeed.”
“So much so that you can forgive him for sending cut flowers?”
She chuckled. “Yeah. I might have been a little ungracious about that last time. I do prefer to leave things alone so they can live, but these are lovely, and it’s such a nice gesture.”
“I’m starting to feel a little inadequate here. I should send Piper flowers.” He looked a little shamefaced. “I used to send the red roses all the time.”
“Yeah, when they were a thank you for a good time. You’re right. You should send some to your fiancée, just to let her know you love her.”
Cam gave her a sly smile. “You mean like Antonio did with you?”
She felt the heat in her cheeks. She might be coming around to the idea that they were falling in love, but it still felt strange to admit to Cam so soon. She nodded slightly. “Anyway. I should get back to work, and so should you.” She took the flowers back to her office. Cam might tease, but she wanted to read the note alone.
She set the flowers down on her desk and opened the little envelope. Her eyes welled with tears and a lump formed in her throat when she read the card.
I love you.
A xx
Her cell phone rang, bringing her back to her senses.
“Hey, Chelsea. How are you?”
“I’m great, but I’m home alone this week. Grant’s out of town. Do you want to come over for dinner?”
“I can’t tonight.”
Chelsea laughed. “You’re not going to turn into that girl on me, are you? The one who dumps her friends when she meets a new man.”
“No. You know me better than that, but we already made plans for this evening. How about tomorrow?”
“I can’t. Wednesday?”
“That works.”
“Great. Do you want to come to the cottage?”
Mary Ellen laughed. “What, are you going to cook for me?”
Chelsea laughed with her. “Err, no. I was thinking you could pick up some Chinese food on the way over.”
“That’s more like it. Okay. It sounds like a plan to me. I have to run for now. I’ll call you when I finish work on Wednesday.”
“You’re going to make me wait until then?”
Mary Ellen smirked. She’d wondered if she was going to get away so easily. “Wait for what?”
“You know what! I want to hear all about your weekend.”
“It was amazing, Chels. I have to make you wait until then because I’m going to need to bend your ear for hours, and I don’t have hours to spare right now.”
“You’re not helping. You’re just making me more impatient to hear what’s going on. But I can wait—as long as you’re happy. Are you happy?”
Mary Ellen grinned. “I’m happy. In fact, this may be the happiest I’ve ever been.”
“That’s awesome! I’m so happy for you. Okay. Wednesday. And in the meantime, have fun.”
“Thanks. I will.”
She set her phone down and then picked it up again. She was going to Antonio’s tonight—after she’d been back to her apartment for more clothes and toiletries, but it was only polite to call and thank him for the flowers. She dialed his number and listened to it ring. Perhaps he was busy. It was the middle of the work day, after all. She hadn’t called him at work before.
“Hey, bella,” he answered. She loved the way he called her that.
“Hey. I just wanted to say thank you for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome. They took some finding.”
She laughed. “I’ll bet they did, and to get them here so quickly.”
He chuckled. “It took some doing, but as long as you like them.”
“I love them. Thank you.”
“I should send you some every da
y.”
Mary Ellen frowned. She loved the flowers, but she hated the thought of them being cut for her when they could bloom for months on the tree. “You don’t need to do that.”
“You don’t want more?” He sounded disappointed.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love them, but I’d rather they lived on, on the tree.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Okay, no more to be cut for you. What time are you coming tonight?”
“I don’t know. I probably won’t get done here until six and then I need to go home and get my things. What time will you be home? How’s your day going?”
He sighed. “It’s a busy one, for sure, but I can be home by six-thirty.”
“I’ll tell you what, why don’t you call me when you get home? That way you can stay at work as long as you need to, and I’ll just come over when you’re back.”
He was silent for so long she wondered if they’d been cut off. “No,” he said eventually.
“No?”
He laughed. “I have a better idea. I’ll try to be home before you get there, but don’t wait for me. When you’re ready, just go on over to the house.”
She wasn’t sure what she thought of that.
“There’s a key hanging behind the light by the door. You can let yourself in. Make yourself at home.”
She still didn’t say anything.
“I’d love to think you’d be there when I get home.”
She couldn’t help but smile at that. “I’ll see what time I’m ready. Okay?”
She could hear the smile in his voice. “Okay. Ciao, bella.”
At six-thirty she stood in the middle of her living room and looked at the bag she’d packed. She couldn’t decide what to do. She could pick up the bag and do as Antonio had said—head over to his house and wait for him to get home—or she could wait around here for him to call and say he was back. It wasn’t such a big decision in any practical way. But it wasn’t about the practical. If she went over there by herself and let herself in, and she was there waiting for him when he came home from work, that would be taking their relationship a step further. She sat down on the sofa and sighed. Not going would mean that she wasn’t ready to take that step. She thought back to her conversation with Cam earlier. If she thought it was inevitable that she and Antonio would end up together, what was the point in taking her time? She smiled and got to her feet. If this was going to be a whirlwind ride, she may as well put herself in the center of it. There was no point trying to hold back and take things slowly. She picked up her bag and closed up the apartment. Maybe she’d pick up something to eat on the way over.
~ ~ ~
Antonio grinned when he got home and saw Mary Ellen’s car parked in the driveway. He hadn’t expected her to come. The fact that she had gave him hope that she was ready to move things forward more quickly than he’d thought.
He parked in the garage and ran up the steps that led into the mudroom off the kitchen. His chest buzzed with happiness when he opened the door and she was there at the sink, rinsing dishes. This was what he wanted. This was how he wanted his life to be—to come home from work and find her waiting for him.
She spun around at the sound of the door opening. “Damn, you scared me.”
He went to her and wrapped his arms around her. “No need to be scared, my love. It’s only me.” He planted a kiss on top of her head. “I’m glad you came.”
She smiled up at him. “I am, too. I almost didn’t, but …” she shrugged.
She might not want to say it, but he knew what she meant. She’d made a decision, and it was one he was going to do his best to make sure she wouldn’t regret.
Chapter Sixteen
Antonio was glad it was Friday. Mary Ellen had stayed with him all week—even on Wednesday when she’d gone out for dinner with Chelsea. His week at work had been less enjoyable. He’d spent most of his time putting out fires and fielding calls from customers who were concerned about the Sicilian wines. He’d talked to Marcos a couple of times, but each time, he’d claimed to be busy and that he’d call back. Antonio was starting to get worried. He’d set aside an hour this morning to get hold of him and figure out what was going on.
He picked up his phone and then set it down again. He couldn’t imagine what his brother was going through. He felt bad for him. He needed to remember that when they talked and not just get mad at him about how he was letting things slide with the business. He stared out the window for a few moments, thinking about Marcos. He was more serious than Antonio. More driven—at least until now. He wasn’t used to failing at anything, and although his marriage hadn’t been a happy one, Antonio knew that he was taking the divorce hard.
He blew out a sigh and picked up the phone again. Instead of calling Marcos, he dialed his parents’ number.
“Pronto.”
“Pronto.”
“Antonio! It’s good to hear your voice, son. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, Dad. Very well. I’ll tell you about it soon. How are you and Mom?”
“We’re fine.” He didn’t sound fine.
“Really? What’s going on?”
“We’re worried about your brother.”
“Yeah. I am, too. What’s happening with him?”
“Caterina is giving him a hard time. I’m so glad they never had children. I can’t imagine …”
“No.” Antonio didn’t like Caterina. She was beautiful, but there was nothing soft about her. She was all hard edges and hard-nosed.
“Is she taking him to the cleaners?”
“No. You know how shrewd your brother is? Well, it turns out he had her sign a prenup. She’s trying everything she can to get out of it; she’s throwing all kinds of dirt at him. Part of me thinks it’d be easier for him to give her the money.”
Antonio sighed. “It might be, but I’m sure she wouldn’t be pleasant with him even then.”
“That’s true. It’s funny; we always worried about you with the ladies. We never thought it would be Marcos who’d have to go through this kind of hell.”
Antonio frowned. “What did you have to worry about with me? I didn’t get married.”
His dad chuckled. “No, but I always half expect to see kiss-and-tell pictures in the magazines, or hear about some woman who claims she’s the mother of my grandchild.”
Antonio laughed. “You should have a little more faith in me. I never got up in anything like that, and I’m not likely to now.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve met someone, Dad.”
“You have? I thought you met someone every week.”
“I used to, but not anymore. This is it. She’s the one.”
“My goodness. Who is she?”
“You’ve met her. She works with Cam; she’s his assistant. Mary Ellen.”
The line was quiet for a moment. “The blonde?”
“Yeah.”
“I see, and you think this is serious?”
“It is.”
“Well, I’m sorry, but your brother’s situation leaves me a little wary. Be careful, okay?”
“I will.” He’d hoped for a more enthusiastic reaction to his news, but the timing wasn’t great. He let it go—for now. There’d be plenty of time for him to tell them all about her, for them to get to know her. “What’s happening at the winery?”
“Chaos and mayhem, by the sounds of it. Are you going to come and help smooth things over? The business could use you here, and I think your brother might appreciate your support, too.”
Antonio frowned. “I could come.” He sighed. “Do you think he would appreciate it, or do you think it’d seem that I’m interfering?”
His dad sighed. “I wouldn’t worry about treading on his toes. He needs help—with the winery and with his personal life. He’s too proud to let me do anything, or your mom. You’re probably the only person who can help him through this.”
“Okay. Let me get a few things
in order and I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, son.”
“Of course. Is Mom around?”
“She’s out. She’s at her craft group. I’ll get her to call you.”
“Okay. Thanks. I’m going to call Marcos and tell him I’m coming.”
“Good. See you soon. Love you, son.”
“Love you, too, Dad. Bye.”
Antonio hung up and stared out of the window. He shook his head sadly. He felt for his brother and hoped he could help him. He wanted to be there for him, but at the same time, the timing wasn’t wonderful. He wanted to be here with Mary Ellen, too. He wondered what she’d think. He hoped she’d understand, and that it wouldn’t make her think he was backing off or wanting to slow things down between them. He smiled as a thought struck him. There was one way he knew he could prove to her that him leaving for a while didn’t mean that he didn’t want to be with her. He checked his watch. He’d call Marcos now and then get out of here. He’d need to make a stop on his way home.
~ ~ ~
Mary Ellen smiled to herself as she opened the front door and let herself in. She’d gotten used to coming home here after work. Antonio had given her the spare key that had been behind the light on Monday, and she’d come back here every night since. She turned around to take everything in as she entered the grand foyer. Could this really be her home? “Why not?” she asked out loud. It was a beautiful home, and it belonged to a beautiful man. A man who loved her. She hugged herself at the thought. He loved her. He told her every chance he got—and she loved hearing it every single time. She had a plan tonight. When he came home, she was going to tell him that she loved him. She’d told him she was falling for him, said that she could see herself loving him, but she hadn’t yet come out and said, plain and simple, I love you. And she knew she did. She might have wrestled with how fast things were happening between them, but she couldn’t deny that she’d fallen head over heels in love with him. He’d been her fantasy guy, and now her fantasy was a reality—only the reality beat the fantasy, hands down. Not only was he a great guy, when she’d thought him not to be, but even all her old sexual fantasies paled in comparison with the reality. The imaginary guy who’d helped her fill her nights had only been as good in bed as she could imagine. It turned out that her imagination had been sorely lacking, and the real Antonio had opened up a whole new world in the bedroom.
