I groaned, rubbing my palm over my eyes. I messed things up then too. “That was a nightmare. She had bony knees.” Because I couldn’t think of anything else to say or do, I laughed.
“She was something. Gave that spoon a good licking,” Diego added with a chuckle.
“I’m confused. What’s going on?” Jake asked again.
“It’s nothing. I’ll tell you another day.” I waved a hand at Jake. “I’m sorry for how I reacted. It’s been a trying few days.”
Diego looked over his shoulder. “I heard you’re taking the big leap. Nica is quite the girl.”
“So is Natalie… She did tell you we were…?”
Diego nodded. “She and I have no secrets. You can’t start a relationship that way. It would never succeed.”
My steps faltered as I thought of what I’d never told Nica. Discussion about my family was rare. I’d only spoken about Martina. I didn’t offer much about my family’s past. My secrets weren’t for the faint of heart. And I was afraid that it would be too much for her to handle. They were too damning.
I couldn’t tell her. I would try my hardest to make sure she’d never find out.
* * *
The drive back was quiet.
“I want to go to my apartment,” Veronica said while we were at a stop. Her voice was firm. She was looking straight ahead.
A grunt came out of my mouth instead of an apology or an explanation.
Like a good boyfriend, I did what I was told. I brought her home. She had left her luggage and bags in the penthouse, so she would be back. I hoped. She had only brought a small purse with her to dinner.
Veronica did not wait for me to open her door. Even before I completed parking, her seatbelt was off, and one of her feet was already on the ground. Although she didn’t slam the passenger door, it felt like she had. It would have been better if she had. All she did was walk quietly to her door, and without a glance back, she unlocked it and walked into her apartment.
That voice in my head, from my dream mocked me. You should have married her when you had the chance.
Had I lost my chance again?
Sous un Beau Ceil Bleu
“Il était têtu et refusiat d’admettre qu’il avait tort,” Martina had told my father about me years ago, when I was about seven. Martina was right. I was stubborn and refused to admit that I was wrong.
If Veronica were any other woman, I’d turn around and think ‘good riddance’. If she were any other woman, I wouldn’t have cared if she had dated half the city before me. As far as I knew, Veronica had been in two other relationships before Jake. She had been honest about those, but we had never broached the casual dating scenarios. Part of that was the fact that I didn’t want to give her my number. The number of women I’d been with. I had been thankful she had never asked. She’d asked about some of my dalliances, and I’d been fine answering a few questions if only to keep her from asking more.
Was it my own guilt? My conscience coming at me?
My outburst in Jake’s kitchen had angered her more than I expected. It didn’t matter that I’d straightened it out with Diego.
I gripped the steering wheel and thrashed inside my car. I could use a run right now to clear my head, think of what I needed to say. Or there had to be a flower shop open at this late hour. Or I could simply go inside the apartment with the key she had given me and talk to her. Looking at my phone one more time, I realized that I’d been sitting in the car for an hour, and I still hadn’t found the right solution.
What if there wasn’t a right solution? I could sit for another hour and come up with the best ideas to apologize, but what if all she wanted was for me to admit that I was wrong?
With uncertainty, I unfolded myself out of the car, locked it and proceeded to her door. I lifted my hand to knock, but her key seared itself to my palm. I unlocked the door instead and stepped inside.
My heart broke at the sight that met me.
Veronica sat on her floor, hugging her knees against her body, just a few steps from the entrance. Her head was down, her hair spilling over her shoulders. A sob echoed in the room.
I went to her and wrapped her in my arms. Her body shifted toward me, her fingers clawing at the back of my shirt as I picked her up and took her to the sofa.
The words “I’m sorry” were whispered in the air. We said them in unison.
I lay on my back and she curled on top of me. Her hair felt like silk in my hands. Her tears soaked my shirt. I lifted her head up so I could see what I had caused, burn that in my mind, and remember never to cause her the same sadness again. Her sob met my lips.
“I was wrong to react that way. I shouldn’t have. You had the right to date--”
“No, I was wrong. I should have told you. Diego and I went out just once before the cake tasting.”
“You were allowed to date anyone.” It pained me to say it out loud.
“At the time, I wasn’t too sure. I thought I’d give it a try. With all the crap that was happening, it seemed like a good idea. You know what’s funny?” I hummed. “We mostly talked about you.” Veronica tried to push up and sit, but all I wanted was to hold her closer. “I’m getting mascara all over your shirt.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I caressed her cheeks and tucked her hair behind her ears. With my thumbs, I erased the dark lines on her face. With my kisses, I hoped to erase the memory of those tears.
She snuggled her head back under my chin. I could feel her heart marching to the same beat as mine. Then she proceeded to tell me how she came to have dinner with Diego, to test the dating waters once again after her break up with Jake. And why he showed up to the cake tasting—an idea concocted by Chase to save Veronica when I brought someone who shouldn’t have been there in the first place, and while Veronica herself wasn’t certain about her feelings with me.
Diego could have made Veronica very happy. And perhaps that was where my insecurities lay. I wasn’t a perfect man, but would I be able to convince Veronica that I was perfect for her?
“He met Natalie later. It was a chance encounter,” she continued to explain.
“And now they’re getting married and having a baby.”
“I know. Isn’t that crazy?”
I couldn’t answer. Not when I wanted to share the same significant, life-changing events with her. I murmured sweet nothings into her ear as I threaded her long hair through my fingers. I kissed every part of her until we laid our insecurities to rest. At least for the night.
* * *
Veronica hadn’t stopped laughing or smiling since we hit the road. The colorful Pucci scarf I’d given her when we were in Paris last year for Jake and Sandrine’s wedding preparations matched her countenance. Even with the dark sunglasses on, I knew her eyes were twinkling. She was high on life, and I couldn’t help but be happy with her. It made the drive to the vineyard much more exciting.
I was over the moon. The Napa Valley vineyard, Casa de Marysol, was my pride and joy, much like Bliss Events was to Veronica. Finally, after several months, I would be able to show Veronica my ‘baby’. An old friend of Martina’s, Santiago de la Cruz, had told me the troubles the proprietors had gone through with their only child suffering and dying of a rare cancer the previous year. After a few visits, and tasting the wine they had produced, I was convinced that I could raise it from the ashes, so to speak. And I had. Our sparkling wine was up against the internationally favored Chateau du Laurent’s own cuvée. Of course, none of it would have been possible if I hadn’t met Veronica, and on that same fateful night, decided to turn my life around.
We had hit a few snags, but the vineyard’s previous owners had refused to give up. With their help, a few visits from Santiago, and simple hints from Martina, Casa de Marysol had survived the worst of it, so far. It was named after the previous owners’ late daughter.
Veronica looked around in quiet awe, with her hand over her lips and her sunglasses pushed up over her head. She’d had uncertainties about the differe
nce in our wealth and statuses before; I hoped this wouldn’t bring those fears back.
What I wanted her to see were the possibilities—of visiting the vineyard together, as much as we could. Of our future children running through the grounds. Our friends and family, dining with us under the moonlight on the terrace. Making love on the balcony underneath the stars.
I reached over and wrapped her hand in mine, kissing the tips of her fingers. “What do you think?”
Her grin spread from one ear to the other. “What do I think? It’s gorgeous. You never told me how beautiful this place is. You’ve had events here before?”
I laughed. My Veronica, ever the planner. “Yes, I have.”
Clem and Adel Lotta met us at the front of main house with Adel’s older sister, Anita. Their tanned skin showed that they had been working hard under the sun, but their genuine smiles told me they were happy to do so. I introduced Veronica to the people who were close enough to be called my family. Whenever I spoke of Casa de Marysol, I made sure to mention the roles they played in its success, and in a way, in my own personal growth. Veronica was welcomed with opened arms.
Adel led her inside, an arm around Veronica’s waist. Clem trailed behind, talking as much as Adel was. Anita hooked her hand around my elbow. “It’s nice to see her finally make it. I was nervous there for you. I didn’t think you could do it.” Anita was as close to an aunt as I could get.
“Why doesn’t anyone believe I can make things happen?” I said with a laugh. “Is everything ready?”
She smiled and squeezed my arm. “I can’t believe you would even ask that. Of course everything is set. You just settle for a while, give her a quick tour of the house, and invite her out for lunch. Then you do what you came here to do.”
I kissed the top of Anita’s head, which only reached to my shoulders. “Thank you. The skies are clear today. Cloudless. No sign of rain.” I winked. Anita lifted her hand and crossed her fingers.
I took over from Adel and carried a giggling Veronica up the stairs, straight to the bedroom we would be sharing. Light spilled inside the large room through the floor-to-ceiling windows that made up one wall, and the door that led out to the balcony, which looked over the spread of the land. A luxurious king-size canopy bed occupied a quarter of the space, and that’s where I laid Veronica.
“Aren’t you supposed to show me around?” She giggled between the words, while I ran my hands over her ribs, pushing up her shirt, and licked around her navel.
“Shhh… I’m doing my own explorations right now.” I produced another giggle from her as I undid her jeans button, and blew hot breath along the top seam of her lace panties.
She moaned as I went farther down. Her hands snaked from my shoulders and threaded through my hair. “Levi.” My name came out in a sigh.
After ridding her of her jeans, I gazed up and found her eyes, eager and willing. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“I am too.” Propping herself on her elbows, she offered me a sweet smile.
I returned to my intentions of having dessert before lunch, nipping at the curve of her hips, which led me to the sensitive skin of her thighs. I intended to make her scream my name as her stomach shook in ecstasy and her toes curled in delight. And after this, I intended to ask her the question and receive the answer that would make me the happiest man in the world.
* * *
Veronica felt warm against me. Our bodies were slicked with sweat, but neither of us cared to move. I could stay in this bed with her for all eternity. But her belly grumbled, and I was all too aware of what I was keeping her, and myself, from.
“You must be hungry. I didn’t mean to take forever.” I pushed up and rolled her on her back.
“I’m always hungry. And you always take forever.” She pulled on the sheet to cover her naked body.
I kissed the crook of her neck. “You’ve never complained before.”
Veronica threaded her fingers behind my neck, and I stared right into her eyes. “I’m not complaining now.”
“We better get up and eat. Picnic lunch okay with you?”
“A picnic? How romantic.”
I offered my hand and helped her up from the bed.
If she only knew how romantic I planned to be. I picked my clothes off the floor and noticed my phone vibrating on the night table. Any other time I would have ignored it. Everyone knew I’d be spending time with Veronica, and I didn’t like being interrupted when I was with her, particularly today. But something prickled the back of my neck. That prickle intensified when I saw the name on my screen.
I snatched my phone up and answered, “Laurent.”
“Olivier,” Sandrine’s father, François, quietly said, “Votre grand-mère.”
“Martina?” I choked out her name.
“Oui, reviens à la maison.” His voice shook as he asked me to return home. To France.
As I stood there, François informed me how my grandmother had been found unconscious in her bedroom, that doctors were running tests, while she laid in a hospital bed in a coma. I promised François I would return to France immediately. There was no question about it.
“Levi? What’s wrong?” Veronica walked over to me as I sat back on the bed, weakened from the news.
I looked at her but I couldn’t see beyond the fog in my mind. “Martina is in a coma. They think she had a stroke. I have to go.”
She nodded, tears ready to spill out of her eyes. “Of course.”
I was wasting time sitting on my ass. I dialed David’s number and ordered him to get the private plane ready. Then I asked him to call his brother to come pick me up. That hour drive to the hangar in San Francisco would take too long. A ‘copter ride would be faster.
As soon as we found the Lottas, I gave them the news. Everyone hugged me one by one, although I had a difficult time determining who said what.
“We’ll take Veronica back to the city,” Clem informed me.
Veronica. I stared at her red-rimmed eyes, the fingers that she kept twisting, and her lips, still plump from my kisses. “Come with me.” I reached out for her hand.
“Of course I’ll go. I’ll tell Chase.” She leaned her head on my chest and kissed the hands that held hers.
She would be there for me.
Á Paris
“Anything to drink, sir?” my attendant asked. Her predecessor, and my friend, Sophie had just given birth to a lovely little girl. I hadn’t yet remembered what the new girl’s name was, the attendant’s. Sophie’s girl was called Amélie.
Tonight wasn’t the right time to get acquainted. I glanced at her briefly and muttered “No thanks.” She nodded and let me be. I held my phone, ready to jump at any call or message.
“Levi.” Jake sat beside me, clapping a hand on my shoulder to get my attention. “Sandrine spoke to the doctor in charge. The specialist she sent arrived a few minutes ago...” His words were interrupted by my phone ringing.
I didn’t hesitate to answer, “Laurent.
The man on the other line introduced himself as Gerd Ladouceur, a friend of Sandrine’s and a cardiologist. Martina was awake, and she would be kept under close observation for the next few days. He also added that Martina had yelled at the staff for keeping her in bed when there was work to be done.
I couldn’t help but wonder, what if no one had found her? What if Martina had been at the chateau in Bordeaux, where all her employees were busy in the field, rather than her house in Paris?
I should have been there.
What had she been doing in Paris in the first place? She avoided the capital city at all costs, especially when my mother was around. And I’d heard that my mother was busy painting the town all shades of red.
I didn’t realize Jake had stayed beside me until he tapped my shoulder. “It seems Martina is awake and making threats now,” I told him. His shoulders visibly relaxed. “Where are Sandrine and Veronica?”
“They’re in the room, looking at baby clothes online.” He rubbed
his tired eyes and stifled a yawn.
I nodded at Jake. I hadn’t expected them to come, but when Veronica and I had arrived at the hangar, they’d been waiting.
Like Jake had said, they were in the bedroom at the back of the aircraft. But the two women weren’t looking at baby items, they were quietly talking. Their murmurs stopped as soon as they heard me enter.
“Hey, love,” Veronica smiled, but worry filled her eyes.
“I’m going to see Jacob,” Sandrine excused herself, sitting up carefully with her hand supporting her belly. She pressed a kiss on my cheek before leaving the room.
I propped my head on a pillow on the bed and reached out for Veronica. She wrapped an arm around me, stretching her body against mine. Just having her beside me calmed my nerves. How did I live my life before I had her?
“She’s awake now,” I said after kissing her forehead.
“That’s good, right?”
“I think so. She’s already making the hospital staff shake in their shoes. She hates hospitals.”
“I hate them too,” she confessed.
I hugged her tighter, squeezing her shoulder with one hand. “Why is that?”
“When my dad was dying, Mom and I spent a lot of time in hospitals. The nurses were nice to me, but nice couldn’t save my dad.” Veronica released a shaky exhale.
“Did he suffer?”
“The nurses said he didn’t. He was on a lot of morphine at the end. Even at a young age, I knew what they were doing.” My heart constricted for the young Veronica and for the woman that I held in my arms now. “How about your father?”
And this was it—the time I’d been dreading. I pressed my lips into a straight line before replying, “I don’t know. I didn’t see him.” The pain of his sudden death and the memory of his once strong self should have filled my mind. But I’d severed my relationship with him long before he passed. If I told Veronica, she would ask more questions, and those questions would lead to a past I didn’t want surfacing. Not now. Not ever. “I wasn’t told until three days later, the day of his funeral.” My jaw clenched, feeling that powerful anger which had shrouded me for years but which I had tried to ignore.
The Bachelor's Perfect Proposal (Bliss Series Book 2) Page 8
