And then she heard her phone ringing, faintly. Dammit, she had left it upstairs. Hope filled her heart as she sprinted up the stairs and answered the phone without looking to see who it was.
“I’ve missed you,” Steven said.
“Where have you been?” she asked, out of breath.
“Are you all right? You sound weird.”
“I’m fine. I wondered where you were.”
“I had to leave early Tuesday morning. There was an oil spill off the coast of Louisiana. Didn’t you get my text?”
An oil spill? She hadn’t heard anything about an oil spill.
“No, I didn’t get your text,” she said.
“I sent you a text because it was so early in the morning. I didn’t want to wake you up. I had to go very suddenly.”
“Oh,” she said. She had suffered through a whole week because she didn’t get his text.
“Well, why didn’t you call me?”
“We didn’t have cell service. I thought you had gotten my text, so I wasn’t worried about it.”
“Okay.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. She felt foolish.
“Can you come over?” he asked. “I really miss you a lot.”
“I guess so,” she said. She wasn’t ready to open herself back up to him.
“Don’t sound so excited,” he said, laughing.
She laughed then. She was being silly, just like Nonna had said.
“I’ll be right over.”
When Steven opened his door he pulled Serena to him and hugged her. They kissed more deeply than they ever had. He moved with her to the bedroom where they frantically took off their clothes. Her open blouse still hung from her shoulders as he pushed her back on the bed and lifted her knees. He pushed himself into her. He drew himself out of her almost all the way, then plunged deeply back into her. Over and over until she threw her head back and cried out loudly. He grunted and moaned with her until they were spent, lying panting on the bed.
The ceiling fan pushed a breeze across their wet bodies. Steven reached for her hand. “I love you, Serena,” he said.
She wasn’t expecting that. But she knew that she loved him. She had been loving him for a while. “I love you, too,” she said moving closer to him. He cradled her next to his chest and eventually they fell asleep, the fan whirring down on them.
When they woke up it was already dark.
“How long did we sleep?” she asked Steven.
“Several hours. I guess we were both pretty tired.”
“I’ve got to go,” Serena said putting her clothes on. “We’ve got the Fourth party and I’ve got to get up early to work on that.”
“What Fourth party?”
“We decided to have a barbecue at Rossetti’s for the Fourth. You know. It’s Tuesday. It’s going to be out back.”
“Am I invited?”
“Of course you’re invited! I want to introduce you to Nonna.”
Nonna was already in bed when Serena got home. She crept to her room and got into bed, placing her phone on the table. A few minutes later she heard the text signal. She pushed the button. “I love you,” Steven had texted. “I love you too,” she texted back.
The next evening, Monday, Steven came to Rossetti’s as usual. He sat with Serena at the bar. Sandy brought him a beer.
“Where you been, man?” he asked Steven.
“Oil spill,” Steven said simply, as if that’s all that needed to be said.
“Oh,” Sandy said. “I didn’t hear anything about that. Guess I need to pay more attention to the news.”
“It might not have been on the news,” Steven said. “They try to cover that stuff up.”
“Oh,” Sandy said. Serena wondered how they could cover it up after the big oil spill in the Gulf a couple of years earlier. She didn’t think things like that could be hushed up anymore. But she kept her thoughts to herself.
After a couple of drinks, Serena followed Steven back to his house. They made love once, then again. But Serena left soon after that. The next day was the Fourth of July and she needed to be fresh for that.
She and Nonna got up early the next day and headed to Rossetti’s without making breakfast. They had a lot to do. Brittany was already there, baking bread loaves and focaccia. Nonna had already made the Italian potato salad the day before, a mixture of boiled potatoes, cauliflower, boiled eggs, and green onions dressed with Rossetti’s house dressing. Serena sliced tomatoes and mozzarella and layered the slices with fresh basil. Right before the party, she would drizzle it with olive oil.
Serena took out the big bowl of white beans she had cooked yesterday. She drained the beans before adding tomato sauce, onion, garlic, brown sugar, and molasses. She poured the mixture into several casserole dishes and put them in the oven. The baked beans would be ready by the time the party started.
Lottie and Nonna had made the tiramisu and ricotta cheesecake the day before; the cheesecake would be covered with fresh strawberries and blueberries and a cloud of whipped cream when the party started. An hour or so before the celebration, Jimmy and Olive cooked marinated chicken pieces on the inside grill, then placed them in baking dishes to stay warm in the oven. It was an ongoing process. Then they switched to grilling Italian sausages. When all was ready, they transferred the pans to the tables outside. Serena took out the baked beans and potato salad, while Brittany brought out the bread in large baskets. People had already started to arrive. They were Rossetti’s best customers and this party was a thank-you to them for their loyalty.
Serena kept her eye on the platters and plates of food, making sure they were replenished when they got low. She was picking up an empty platter when she looked up and saw Steven come through the back door. His hair was blonder now, with days spent in the sun on the ocean. He was tall, tan, and good-looking. Serena noticed a group of girls looking at him. He was something to look at and Serena was proud he was hers.
“This must be the place,” Steven said walking toward her.
“Yes,” she said laughing. “Let’s get you something to drink.” They walked to the back of the garden where several coolers chilled beer and wine. She handed him a cold bottle of beer.
“I want to introduce you to Nonna,” she said. She peered around people on the crowded patio, looking for Nonna. Finally, she spotted her, near the back door sitting in one of the garden chairs. Someone was leaning down to talk to her. Someone familiar. She groaned inwardly. Why had Nonna invited Jeff to this party when she knew Steven would be coming? Why would Nonna do that to her? It just made everything so much more complicated than it needed to be.
She and Steven walked over to where her grandmother was sitting. Nonna and Jeff smiled at her, but Serena was a little peeved.
“Nonna, this is Steven Calloway,” she said. Nonna held out her hand and Steven took it.
“It’s good to meet you,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Thank you. It’s good to meet you, too,” Nonna said. She looked up at Jeff who was standing there looking at Serena.
“This is my friend Jeff Richardson,” Nonna said. Jeff put out his hand and he and Steven shook. Not a sight Serena ever thought she’d see in her wildest imagination.
“Have you gotten something to eat yet?” Nonna asked.
“Not yet,” Steven said. “Can I bring you something?”
“Thanks. Jeff brought me a plate,” she said gesturing at a plate of barbecue on the table beside her.
“I guess we’ll go get some food now,” Serena said, eager to get away from Jeff.
She and Steven walked over to the tables laden with food and filled their plates.
“Let’s go sit back there,” Serena said pointing at a table in the corner of the garden. They set their plates on the little round table and sat down. Serena took a big sip of her white wine.
“Did I sense a little tension back there?” Steven asked. A smile twitched around his lips and Serena was irritated to see he found it so humorous.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, looking away.
“Aww, come on Serena. Is that another one of your boyfriends coming out of the woodwork?”
He was still smiling when she looked at him. “That’s not funny,” she said.
“Well, is it?”
“He’s not a boyfriend. He’s just someone I dated occasionally in Atlanta. It wasn’t serious at all.”
“That’s good,” Steven said. “I’d be jealous otherwise.”
She smiled for the first time since she realized Jeff was there. Steven reached across the table and took her hand. “I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too,” she said back.
“Do you want to go back to my house after the party? I’ve got something I’d like to show you.”
“What?” she said.
“I don’t want to say, but it’s something that comes out whenever you’re around.”
She slapped him playfully on the arm, laughing.
“Don’t talk like that when my grandmother is around,” she said laughing.
“Sorry,” he said smiling. “Couldn’t help it. That’s what you do to me.”
They started to eat, looking at each other and smiling. Steven reached under the table and rubbed her leg. Serena laughed. “Don’t let Nonna see you doing that,” she said.
When they were finished eating, Serena said she needed to check on the party. She got up and felt Steven’s eyes following her as she walked away. She glanced back at him once, and he winked at her. She had completely forgotten about Jeff.
But then there he was, standing right in front of her. She almost ran into him.
“It’s good to see you, Serena,” he said.
“Good to see you, too,” she said lightly, lying. It was not good to see him. She wished he would go away. She wondered if Nonna had invited him to stay at the cottage. That was going to be awkward.
As if reading her thoughts, Jeff said, “I’ve got to get back to Atlanta. We’re working on a big case and I have to be in court first thing in the morning.”
Relief flooded through Serena. “Oh, I’m sorry you have to rush off. Thank you for coming. I know it meant a lot to Nonna.”
He just smiled at her, then he reached out and hugged her. “Goodbye,” he said.
“Bye,” she said.
She watched him go in through the back door and waited a minute before she went inside herself. She didn’t want to risk running into him again. When she did go in, Nonna was in the kitchen putting food up. She seemed a little misty-eyed.
“What is it, Nonna?”
“Oh, I’m just sorry Jeff had to leave so soon. He came all this way and then he had to turn around and leave. I wanted to spend more time with him.”
Serena didn’t get it. She did not understand Nonna’s friendship with Jeff. How could that have happened when Serena herself wasn’t even friends with him anymore? Once again, it made everything more complicated for her.
“I’m going over to Steven’s after everyone has left. Okay?”
“You don’t have to ask my permission, cara,” Nonna said.
“What did you think of Steven?”
“He seems nice,” Nonna said noncommittally. “I really didn’t get to talk to him.”
“Well, how could you when Jeff was hanging around you the whole time? Not exactly the ideal situation for getting to know my boyfriend.”
“Are you angry with me?” Nonna asked.
“I’m just wondering why you didn’t tell me you had invited Jeff to our party. It would’ve been nice to get a heads up on that.”
Nonna didn’t say anything for a minute. “I knew if I told you that you’d tell me not to let him come. And I wanted to see him. He’s my friend and I like him. I have a right to have him at my restaurant’s party.” She emphasized the word “my,” letting Serena know that Nonna Elena was ultimately in charge of Rossetti’s.
Serena turned away from her grandmother, tears stinging her eyes. She couldn’t believe that Nonna had pulled rank on her like that. After everything Serena had done to bring HER restaurant back from the brink of ruin. She couldn’t believe it.
“Cara,” Nonna called after her as she ran from Rossetti’s. “Cara, I’m sorry.” Serena kept running, through the restaurant, out the front door, and down to the bay. She sat on the shore and cried. She put her head in her arms and cried a thousand tears, sobbing like a baby. She cried for her mother. She wanted her mother.
That’s where Steven found her. He sat down beside her and took her hand.
“Your grandmother asked me to find you,” he said. “She’s worried about you.”
“I’m sorry I ran out on you like that. I didn’t want you to see me at my worst.”
“Is this your worst?” he said. “I think I can handle it.” He pulled her over to him and she cried against his chest. He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head.
“It’s okay,” he said. “I love you.”
After a few minutes, Serena stood up. She looked out over the blue waters of the bay. Dark clouds were gathering in the east, but the water was eerily calm.
“I think we’re in for a storm,” Steven said taking her hand. They walked back up to the restaurant. Everyone was gone except for Nonna and the staff. Nonna was standing by the door when they walked in.
“I’m sorry I said that, cara. I didn’t mean it,” Nonna said. She held out her arms and Serena hugged her grandmother.
“It’s okay, Nonna. I think I’ve been taking over too much here and not letting you be a part of it.”
“I said you could do what you wanted,” Nonna said.
“I know you did, but I should have been more sensitive,” Serena said.
“Maybe you need to take a few days off,” Nonna suggested. “You’ve been working yourself to death.”
“Do you think you can manage without me?”
“No, but we’ll get by,” Nonna said with a smile. “I could never manage without you.”
“Okay, then. I think I’ll do that.”
Nonna walked over to Steven, who was sitting in a dining chair, away from the personal conversation between grandmother and granddaughter. “Thank you,” she said to him.
As they walked out, Serena told Steven that she was taking a few days off.
“You can come stay with me if you want to. I can take off the rest of this week. We could do some stuff.”
Serena smiled, then laughed. “I know what kind of stuff you want to do,” she said.
He laughed too. “You’re right about that. But we can do other stuff, too. Like go out on the water or go out to eat someplace other than Rossetti’s. Check out the competition.”
They stopped at Serena’s car. “Are you sure?” she said. “You might get sick of me after a couple of days.”
“I doubt that. And yes, I’m sure.”
“I’ll go home and pack a few things and be over in a little while, then,” she said. She kissed him lightly on the lips and got in her car. She waved at him as she drove away down the road that led to the cottage.
Serena wasn’t sure what to pack, so she packed jeans and cotton tops, two sundresses, a nice dress for evening wear if they went somewhere extra nice, shorts, and her bathing suit. She added several open-toed shoes and sandals and her toiletries to the suitcase. She was ready for whatever. Nonna came in the door as she was walking through the living room to leave.
“I’m going to stay with Steven for a few days,” she said. “I don’t know exactly what we’re going to be doing, but we’ll be on the beach and the boat. And we might go out to eat, too.”
“That sounds fun,” Nonna said. She put her arms around Serena. The top of her graying head reached Serena’s shoulders. “You deserve some free time.”
Serena kissed the top of Nonna’s head much as Steven had kissed the top of her head earlier. “Thanks for suggesting it,” she said.
“I love you, cara,” Nonna said as Serena closed the
door.
“Love you too, Nonna,” she said.
And then she was down the steps and in her car, feeling the first sense of freedom she had experienced in years. She turned the radio on and sang all the way to the beach, to Steven’s gray house on stilts. The gathering dark clouds had intensified by that time and she felt the first drops of rain as she got out of her car. They fell in big plops onto her hair and face as she climbed the stairs.
“It’s starting to rain,” she said laughing when Steven opened the door. He swooped her up in his arms and she dropped her suitcase to the floor.
“Then let’s have a rain day,” he said. She followed him to the bedroom. Two glasses of wine sat on the nightstand and Serena picked one up, taking a deep sip. “I need this,” she said.
“Is everything okay with your grandmother?” Steven asked, pulling her down to the bed. He began to unzip her dress and she slid out of it.
“Yes. Everything’s fine. We’ve all been under a lot of stress at the diner, and I guess it just came out today. But it’s fine.”
The rain began to beat harder and the waves crushed the shore. Thunder rolled deeply, followed by lightening cracking the sky. The sounds echoed Serena’s wild heart. She pulled Steven closer and closer to her fiery body. She kissed him and licked him and then guided him into her. They crashed against each other like the waves on the coast, reaching a crescendo as thunder clapped loudly in the background.
Chapter Eight
When she woke up she was alone in the bed. She hurriedly put her dress back on and walked into the living room. She could see Steven on the deck staring out at the water. The rain had stopped and the skies were clearing as the sun went down. His cell phone started to ring on the coffee table. She opened the door and walked out. Smoke rose from a grill into the darkening night.
“Your phone’s ringing,” she said.
“Dammit! I’d better see who it is,” he said as he passed her, pausing long enough to lean down and give her a kiss. “I’m making steaks,” he called to her as he closed the door. Serena walked to the railing of the deck and looked out at the clearing sky, the calming water.
Serena's Choice - Coastal Romance Series Page 8
