I was supposed to be trying to be more open to the opposite sex and here I was trying to run again. It was lunch in a public place. So why was I trying to avoid it? "Okay, lunch, somewhere close. I don't want to be late and miss him. This is very important."
"Very close," he agreed. His hand gently landed on my back and steered me in the direction of a restaurant on the ground floor of the same building. He must have known the staff because we got seated at a horseshoe booth in bar area right away. "This okay?"
"Fine. Is this how you normally pick up, women?" I tried to relax and be playful. I wasn’t sure I could pull it off.
He smiled and shook his head. That smile was adorable!
"No, I usually race through the lobby so fast I never see anyone. Today I dropped my cell phone and put the bag down to grab it and got lucky."
He smiled as the waitress arrived and we ordered. I hoped Lucas would be as easy to talk to. From what Marina had said, I doubted it. No matter how charming this guy was I couldn't let him completely distract me from my mission.
There was plenty of time for new guys. Lucas had a deadline attached to him. I had to report in again at the end of the week. I had to have something this time.
"So what do you do?" he asked.
"I'm a chef." I hesitated in asking what he did. Right now, the fantasy of a handsome stranger was more fun. If he offered up information, fine. For now, the mystery made it better.
"That's handy. I can't even boil water. I eat out all the time." He looked at me as though he saw right through me and it was unsettling and sexy at the same time.
"Just because you kept me from a nasty fall doesn't mean I'm your personal chef for life." I grinned.
"We'll see. So if the man upstairs isn't your boyfriend, who is he?"
I paused as the waitress brought our food. I wasn't sure how to answer anyway. It wasn't my place to spread Marina and Lucas' business around. For all I knew, this guy could work at the same place as Lucas and he might decide it's a funny story and embarrass Lucas with it.
I remembered my self-defense course and the idea of setting clear boundaries. "That's personal." I took a bite of my cheeseburger and waited to see how he took that.
"Internet boyfriend you're meeting for the first time?" He shoved a fry in his grinning mouth.
"Not exactly."
His eyebrow rose. "Not exactly? Am I close?"
"That's personal." I dodged the question. Much as I'd like to go out with him, I didn't know the first thing about him and wasn't sure I wanted to learn the truth. We hadn’t even exchanged names yet. Right now, he was perfect. I didn't want to ruin it.
My mystery man was maybe five foot nine inches tall, his dress shirt clearly defining his muscles. And he had the decency to care if I had anyone else. I leaned against the tall booth seat that gave us a nice measure of privacy and wondered if I'd just ruined things.
"Would you go out with me?" he finally asked.
"I don't know if that's such a good idea," I replied.
"I don't have a girlfriend if that's what you're worried about." He passed me the ketchup when he noticed I was looking for it. I felt a little odd, like I was on display. He was such a gentleman so I couldn't say no completely. None of the guys I’d met in the clubs had half his manners.
"What about men? Any men that'll get mad at me?" I tried not to laugh as I saw his face drop.
"Am I that bad at flirting?" he asked.
"No, let's just say I've had issues before and want to make sure. My radar is just off," I explained.
"I see." He nodded and leaned closer. His mouth brushed mine and I felt like I couldn't breathe. My hand crept to his shoulder as I opened my lips. This behavior was so unlike me and felt so good!
"Convinced?" He pulled away and I nearly followed him.
I nodded and blushed. No one had seen and I really didn't care if they had.
"So you'll go out with me?" he pressed.
I glanced at my watch, seeing it was after one already. "I need to go." I grabbed my purse and started digging for cash to cover my lunch. I hadn't planned this detour but always kept an emergency twenty tucked away.
"They'll put it on my tab. I eat here every day." His hand rested on mine to stop and I felt those sparks I'd heard about. His distracted me again. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just don't want to miss this guy." I felt the need to get the talk with Lucas over. What kind of friend was I? I'd come here to help Marina and went on a lunch date with some mystery man. He was cute, but he probably had a wife and three kids at home. I needed to find Lucas and talk with him first. "I really need to get back to what I came for. Thanks for lunch."
I dashed out the door of the restaurant and headed for the elevators in the lobby. I pushed the button and tried to lose myself in the crowd. I followed the crush of people into the elevator when mystery man caught up with me. He squeezed his way to the back where I had tried to hide. "I'm sorry if I went too far."
"Forget it, just quit following me, okay?" I asked.
"I'm not, I work in this building. Remember?" He shrugged.
We got a few odd looks from others in the elevator. Finally it stopped on floor forty and I made my way to the front and could feel him behind me. "I asked you to stop following me," I repeated.
"I work for this firm." He pointed to the etched glass door I was headed for. It was an employee's only entrance and he waved his pass card in front of the lock. It buzzed and a light turned green. He was telling the truth. He nodded for me to go in. "What did I do?" he asked.
"Nothing, it's my fault. I came here for a specific reason and shouldn't have gotten sidetracked. At least, not until I got my business out of the way."
"It can wait," he protested.
"No, I shouldn't let myself be distracted. How do I know if he's any good or not? I don't even know what he looks like. He could have been in the restaurant or walked out while I was coming up. I'm just not the type of person who does the fun stuff first. I have to get the necessities out of the way." I wasn't making much sense. Meeting an actual nice guy who was interested in me and whom I was actually really attracted to freaked me out.
I could have easily forgotten about Lucas completely and almost had. I still wanted this guy. First, I had to do the right thing or I'd feel guilty all day and that date wouldn't be any fun at all. Marina deserved another chance. She hadn't had the best luck lately.
"You don't know this guy or what he looks like and you're this upset about seeing him? Look, I know everyone in the office, I've worked here for five years. I can help. At least let me prove I'm not a creep and take you to this lucky guy, whoever he is. Who are you looking for?" He stared intently at me as other employees slipped by into the office and looked at us strangely.
"Why do you want to help me? You don't even know me." I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Why not help? I never meet anyone who’s as cute and different as you. You’ve got to give me a chance. If you won't go out with me, at least let me help you for breaking up an otherwise boring day." He nodded.
He sounded sincere. Why not? It might be less awkward if I could be introduced to Lucas and say I knew someone he knew. That might make it easier. "Fine, I really need to find Lucas Rigby."
My mystery man stopped cold and stood up a little straighter. "I'm Lucas Rigby." The slight surprise in his eyes made my heart drop. I spent my lunch fanaticizing about my best friend's ex-boyfriend. Damn it!
Chapter Six
Marina’s Trip to the Garage
After we finally got my mom’s old powder blue Caprice running outside of her bakery, I climbed in. I still thought a new car was a good idea, even though she was attached to this one. The other day I’d told Nick it didn’t really need work. Today, I was going to surprise him. The car had acted up off and on since that day so I volunteered to take it to the shop.
This was definitely my best shot at Nick; I wasn’t going to pass it up. I knew any further phone calls to him would be tot
ally useless. He was a busy guy who could avoid me if he wanted to. There was little doubt in my mind—he didn’t want to talk to me.
He couldn’t refuse to look after old blue though.
I maneuvered mom’s old boat of a car from the bakery to Nick's garage. I pulled into an open bay and was glad to turn off the engine. I’d had to get it jumped and the power had been flickering. I rarely drove and when I did it was usually Lori’s little Jag. I’d prayed the whole way that it could make it those few blocks because this tank would be hard to get out of the road if it broke down.
I exited the car to blaring classic rock music. A good-looking man, who I knew wasn't Nick, took the keys and smiled. "Good evening," he said loudly.
"Hi, I'm looking for Nick." I smiled at the helpful and cute mechanic. He was a flirt, but I had to get to Nick first. Fun could wait. I needed to settle Lori or I might have to strangle her.
"The boss is in the office. It’s straight back on your right. You're a friend?" He started writing down the plate number and car description.
"He's worked on my mother's car before," I replied. I certainly didn’t want to be mistaken for his girlfriend or a random garage groupie. Lori said that Nick was a pretty popular guy.
"I recognize it. I’m Eddie." He nodded. "I can take it from here and get started. Nick's in the office if you want to talk to him."
"I do, thanks." I headed back to the office. It was my first time in the garage and it was everything I expected from the dirty naked girl calendar to the grim, grit, and grease everywhere. Lori, here? My mind didn’t process that picture on any level. It was definitely a new side to her. The girl had to be in love.
She must’ve had it really bad for Nick. Worse than I thought. I knocked on the door and heard some response I couldn't make out over the blaring music in the garage.
I took whatever it was as a positive sign and opened the door slowly.
Nick was sitting at a computer and didn't even look up at first. He was cuter in the flesh than Lori's pictures. I understood why she was hung up on him. Under that dirt sat a ruggedly adorable man.
"Are you busy?" I asked.
"Always. How can I help you, Miss?" He leaned back in the chair.
"I'm Rosa Castini's daughter, Marina." I shook his hand and felt the tension increase when he heard my name. Obviously I’d made an impression.
"The same Marina that called me the other day?" He pulled his hand back.
"That would be me," I confirmed. "I know that probably wasn't the best start. I’ve been Lori's best friend for years. This isn't some joke or attempt at messing up anyone's life. I just want to talk to you about Lori in person. And since my mom’s car needed to come in, I thought it’d be a good time."
"I don't think there is anything to talk about. Lori made her choice and she's happy." He shrugged. “I don’t want to be sucked back in only to get kicked out when she’s done with her second roll in the dirt.”
"If you think she's happy without you than there’s a lot to talk about." I closed the door and sat down.
If he intended to dismiss me, I wouldn't make it easy. Mom said he was a gentleman so I hoped it would last. He was clearly hurt and, in men, hurt turned instantly to anger. They could never be wrong so they became defensive.
"This is old news, ancient history. I'm sorry she turned thirty. I'm not a consolation prize." He crumpled a piece of paper and shot it into the garbage can.
He remembered her birthday? I hadn't said a word about that on the phone to him. "This isn't about settling for either of you. I don't think she’s ever gotten over you and the fact that you remember her birthday and age so readily makes me believe the same about you."
"Because I remember her birthday, I’m pining away for her? Sure, that's an engagement ring right there. Look, your mom’s a nice lady, and I’ll take good care of her car, if you think I’m taking care of anything else, you're crazy."
"Not the first time I've been told that. Lori has called me crazy several times, in fact. You two actually have a lot in common.”
“Hardly. You must be crazy if you think that. I don’t need a princess or her crazy best friend in my life. I have my shit together.”
“Doesn't stop me. I know when I'm right." I crossed my legs with confidence. I wouldn’t be bullied or ushered into leaving. His sarcasm was thick with a hint of something deeper. Otherwise, why hadn’t he prodded me to leave yet?
He stood and I wondered if I was about to be escorted out. Instead, he paced behind his desk. "Let me tell you what I know. I know Lori is great. I also know Lori was crazy about me. I really know Lori won't disappoint her family for me. And I knew all of this years ago. There’s your free history lesson, now let’s move on."
"Time changes things," I argued. “Both of you have changed and yet you’re still hung up on each other. Another thing you two have in common.” I put on my best soothing tone that worked on frightened animals that ended up on my table. Out of their element and under stress, any animal could turn on any human—even their masters.
Nick reminded me of a wild cat backed into a corner. My tone could help; I bet he’d still fight me.
"I remember you. She talked about her friend in vet school, Marina." He shook his head.
"That’s me. I’ve graduated since then. So what?" I wondered if I’d given Lori some bad advice when we were younger that was about to come back and haunt me. Lori had ranted so much about him, I’m sure I’d told her to both dump him and marry him at various times.
"So, you’ve been friends with her a long time. I never met you when we were dating. She didn’t let me near her real life. I’ll bet you've met her family. Haven't you?" He went from dismissive of me to intensely curious in a flash.
"I was busy in vet school. It was nothing personal with me not meeting you back then. I spent more time on the phone with Lori then rather than getting to see her in person. Our schedules both sucked. As far as her family, sure, I've met them."
He stepped around his desk and leaned down face-to-face with me. "Do you really think they'd let someone like me in their family tree? Pollute the gene pool? I’m not stupid. If she won’t fight, there isn’t a chance.”
I saw the pain in his eyes, and the frustration that ran deep. He’d been rejected and was as proud as Lori. Her parents wouldn't like him whether they met him or not. I wasn’t going to lie to him about it.
That, however, wasn’t the point. "Lori's parents don't get a vote. It’s not their call. Maybe Lori wasn’t strong enough to stand up to them back then. Things change. Only Lori’s opinion matters here. It’s her decision."
"You’re absolutely right and she made it already. She’s not here. She had her chance. I’ve never gotten a call or Christmas card since she dumped me. I could’ve dropped dead, and she wouldn’t have cared. If she wants to talk to me, she knows where to find me. She won't. She's got a lot of pride to go with that pretty pedigree, if you hadn’t already noticed." He walked past me and out the door.
I took a deep breath and felt like a failure. All of that passion and feeling still churning and yet neither of them was willing to stick a toe in the water. Idiots! Wasn’t it eating him up inside?
At least I’d broken past that macho shell and saw he had feelings. Too bad I didn’t have a secret video camera, Lori would never believe me if I told her. She’d chosen to be in denial of it all. I had discovered he was the boss. That was something. Not that I’d tell Lori that.
I walked out the door and saw my first mechanic, Eddie, approaching. "Good news," he said.
"I could use some." I smiled.
"It looks like it’s the alternator, not the engine or anything real serious. I'll get to it first thing tomorrow. With winter setting in, there is a lot more work to do. Don’t worry Nick said to take care of your mom’s car."
"Thanks." I handed him my card. "Just give me a call when it's ready."
"Sure, you'll want the battery changed too. The alternator ran it down to nothing. We can recha
rge it. Honestly, if it was my mom, I’d go new battery."
"That explains why jumping it only worked for so long. Fine, it's my mother's car so I want it safe. Let me know." I smiled a better smile now that my mind wasn’t on Nick and Lori. There weren’t real sparks with this guy. He was potential information and nice to look at.
"Not a problem. She always brings us cookies and stuff. Nice lady." He nodded in the direction of the office. "You find the boss okay?"
"I found him. I couldn't get him to listen to me. First things first, I found him." I folded my arms and tapped my toe in childish frustration.
"It's about Lori, right?" he asked.
I looked up in surprise. "Is he talking trash about my friend? I never got the impression he was that bad." I felt my blood begin to boil. Maybe Nick wasn't so good after all.
"No, no trash. Everything I've heard about her is very respectful. There is a lot of stuff left over. He's whipped over her. His sister told me it was a few years ago and he never got over her. You're her friend?"
"Yes. We shouldn't talk here," I whispered. I didn’t want to get him in trouble and Nick seemed the private and touchy type. "Would you give me a call later and we can discuss this?"
"Anything to help the boss quit being a moody ass. Everyone who worked here back then said he was a great guy and fun to work with."
"I’d appreciate the help. My cell number is on here too." I handed him my business card and headed out to the El feeling a little better. I needed all the help I could get with Nick.
In the end, it would come down to Lori or Nick making a move. I could get as much information as possible to try and convince them. If that meant I had to go around them and to others, then that’s what I’d do. Nick was a match for Lori, just as stubborn. He was her secret type of man, attractive without being really polished.
~* * *~
Two days later I was at work and thankfully, for once, Nick and Lori were not the first thing on my mind. I had my hands full with a litter of kittens someone had left on our doorstep. They were in good condition for being only a few weeks old. The shelter was full so we’d keep them. I didn’t mind a bit, they’d cheer the place for the holidays.
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