“Well, I hope you’re happy with yourself. Honestly, did you really think it would be funny to read her private thoughts like that? Hell, even I know it’s not right to do something like that. You should have left it where it was and not even read it. Go in there and apologize to her again, man.” Simone demanded.
Nodding, Andrew got back up and walked out of the room. Simone could hear him knocking on the door and then it opening up again. He could hear her asking him, “What do you want?” Then it got all quiet for a moment as the sobs started again and that’s when the brothers got up to peek around the corner. They watched Andrew hugging a sobbing Delia and repeating over and over again, “I’m sorry, Delia.”
Chapter Two
“Yes ma’am, I will make sure that our guys have that desk brought to your home on Wednesday. You’re most welcome, have a wonderful day. Goodbye,” Jaslyn said, hanging up the phone. She looked up and saw Delia coming into the shop. “Hey girl, we’ve got another sale.”
“Wow, that’s great, so who did we sell to this time?” Delia had brought in a bunch of bags from the farmer’s market. Helping her friend with the bags, they decided to stay in and have lunch at the shop, just the two of them. Since Jaslyn’s relationship with Renzo had taken up most of her time during the weekends and sometimes during lunch, Delia thought it was good to just be with her best friend for a change.
“Mrs. Hawkins, another friend of Filomena’s. Let me go and get the tablecloth and I’ll put the sign up on the door,” Jaslyn said, walking toward the door. Soon they had cleared off one of the large tables, put down the tablecloth and had begun taking out all of the goodies Delia had brought. They had gotten out the plates and forks and began serving themselves and pouring iced tea into their glasses.
“A toast,” said Delia as they both stood. “This toast is to a lifetime of happiness, a lifetime of love and a lifetime of sales.” Both of them laughed as their glasses clinked together and they both took a sip before sitting down. “So how have things with you and Renzo been going?”
“Absolutely wonderful, everything has been going just like I’ve wanted. We’ve taken our time with things and he’s so understanding and sweet to me. You know, you were right when you said we were meant to be together. How about you and Rodger? How are things going there?”
“Well, he wants me to go with him to see his parents, and this will be the second time I’ve gone to meet with them. I’m not looking forward to it, either.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, his parents are rich, and I’m talking like Beverly Hillbillies rich. I think they put up with me because Rodger loves me so much. But the first time they met me, they looked me up and down like I was some kind of beggar or something. I brushed it off but then the questions started, like what I do for a living, about my family and all. I swear, it was like I was being interrogated by the FBI. Well, I ended up setting them straight, and when Rodger spoke up, they listened. But that first and last time was over a year ago, so now they want us to visit.”
“I never knew that Rodger’s family was rich,” Jaslyn said, munching on some of her salad.
“I know, he didn’t tell me until the day we visited his parents. I asked him why he hadn’t told me sooner and he said that he wanted me to like him for who he was and not because he had money. He told me that he’s always wanted to do things his way, so he came here to Kellington to make a new start where no one would know who he or his family was. I admire him for that, though, because honestly, you don’t find many men like him. Despite the fact he has millions, he wants to do things on his own to prove something to his family.”
“Well, it seems we have two good men, don’t we?” Jaslyn smiled, taking another sip of tea.
“That we do. I talked with Andrew yesterday and he’s supposed to come for a visit. He’s going to spend the whole weekend with me. I honestly can’t wait though, because I haven’t seen him in months--since he’s been in California.”
“That sounds great, I can’t wait to see him too, he’s always been fun.”
Delia snickered a bit just as the phone rang. “I’ll get it,” she said, getting up. “Hello, Timeless Treasures, this is Delia.”
“Hey Deedlebug, how’s life been treating you?”
“Hey there, Simple Simon, life has been treating me well, and you?”
“Life has been good even though I’m dealing with a case right now. Thought I’d give you a call and see how you were.”
“You’ve been doing a lot of that lately, you know?”
“What do you mean?”
“Calling me up out of the blue like this. You’ve never called me this much at all, even when you were away at college you would only call me like once a month or so. Plus, this is the first time you’ve called me Deedlebug in a long time, penny for your thoughts?”
It got really quiet on his end and she wondered if maybe he might have hung up but then he said, “I was just thinking about you, missed hearing your voice.”
She had to smile even more because she thought it was so sweet, “Well, I hope that everything is all right.”
“Yeah, everything is all right, listen I’ll talk with you sometime later. Take care, Deedlebug.”
“You too, Simple Simon, take care.” Hanging up the phone, Delia stood lost in thought for a moment before walking back over to the table.
“Who’s Simple Simon?” Jaslyn asked.
“Simone. That was the name I gave him when we were young. I had made up names for each brother including mine when we were young. Simone was Simple Simon, Gianni was Johnny Appleseed, Federico, let me see, he was Agent Fed and Andrew was Andy Panda.” Both women laughed out loud. She knew that they sounded silly but this was from when she was a kid, just a silly kid.
“What about Renzo? What would you have called him?”
Delia cackled when she heard Jaslyn ask that question. “Rin Tin Tin.” Soon they both started laughing to the point that both of them were snorting, which only caused them to laugh even harder. “I dare you to say that to him while you guys are making love, just scream out Rin Tin Tin and see what happens.” This only made matters worse as Jaslyn fell to the floor, still laughing.
“That is hilarious as hell, and don’t think I won’t do it, too.” Jaslyn told her, gasping for air as she pulled herself back up into her chair. After they composed themselves for a moment Jaslyn told her friend, “But you know something, Simone has been calling here a lot, though. It seems like he’s called here every other day.”
Delia couldn’t understand it either and pondered it while drinking her tea. Lately, she’d been so busy with work, family and Rodger that she honestly didn’t have time to talk with any of her other friends besides Jaslyn. “There is no telling with Simone. He’s probably just calling to be calling.” She shrugged it off, continuing to eat her lunch and make idle chitchat.
* * * *
After they both cleaned up from lunch, Delia heard the delivery truck out back and knew that Rodger had come back from doing a delivery out of town. Thankfully they didn’t have many people coming in and she had saved him something for lunch. When she went to greet him, he was pulling down the door to the back of the truck. He was casually dressed in pants that looked worn from the wear and tear of hard work, a pair of black Converse sneakers and a gray wife-beater shirt that showed off his light brown muscular arms and back which glistened in the sun. When he turned around to see her standing there, he smiled that whiter-than-white smile of his. “Looks like I’m going to have to open this back up again, huh?”
Once it was open again, he grabbed one of the blankets they used to protect the furniture and spread it over the tailgate. She never thought that she would have been with someone for as long as she’d been with Rodger, especially not someone she worked with. But Rodger was different from most of the guys she had been with in the past. When he first came to work for them, she just thought of him as nothing more than the guy who moved stuff. But one day she got a gli
mpse of him helping a little old lady who had tripped on the sidewalk, causing her purse and its contents to fall on the ground. Thankfully, Rodger had been close behind her and he ran to catch her before she fell on the hard ground. Once he’d helped her regain her balance, he returned her purse to her, then continued to help collect her things and put them back. His reward was a kiss on the cheek from the lady herself. After that, Delia decided to accept his request for a date when he asked her about a month later. That had been about two years ago.
“So, how has your day been?” he asked her, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Rather slow inside the shop but so far, so good. I know you guys have one more delivery to do.”
“Yeah, luckily it isn’t anything big, just some tables and chairs and then I have the rest of the day off. I had to drop the guys off to get themselves something to eat so they should be back in a while. Listen, why don’t you come to my place tonight and I’ll make you dinner.” His smile was brilliantly white, a smile that she loved to see every day on his handsome face.
“I’ll bring the movies for afterwards and I’ll come by around seven.”
Softly his lips captured hers for a moment as his long fingers reached into her curly brown hair with its hints of honey highlights. She felt him slowly tracing along her jawline, and could tell by the look in his eyes that he was up to no good at that moment. “Want to do a little something before you head back inside?”
Delia looked around and was thankful that no one was in the parking lot in the back of the building. “Can’t you wait till we meet up at your place tonight?” He placed her hand over the front of his pants and she could tell that he wanted to do something.
In a way she wanted a little something too.
“I know where we can go.” Delia grabbed his hand and they went toward a door that led into the basement, where a lot of remodeling was being done by some of the guys. Luckily no one was down there today and once they locked both doors, they quickly started to kiss. Delia was thankful to be wearing a long skirt as his hands hiked it up, touching the smooth skin of her thigh. She moved some tools and other things off the work table and leaned back against it. But then he told her, “Baby, I think my friend needs some of your attention.” When she looked at him, she saw his thickness jutting out from between his unzipped jeans. She had to admit she loved it when they made love, especially when it was quickies like this, always feeling like they would get caught. Honestly, she didn’t know why the excitement of getting caught thrilled her so. Grabbing hold of him, she heard him moan a bit while she stroked him slowly, feeling his familiar length and thickness in her hand. He helped her get on her knees as her mouth quickly engulfed him. “Oh yes, baby. Man, your mouth feels so good.” He sighed while she continued tasting, licking and sucking on his cock. Tasting some of the pre-cum that rolled up along the tip. “Come on and let me hit it from the back real quick before I really explode.”
Getting up from her knees, Delia took off her underwear and leaned against the table once more as he quickly entered her from behind. Both moaned from the sensation of their union as he held onto her hips, holding himself deep within her for a moment. Once they began, it was an experience that she always treasured between them. He knew how to make her feel good as his hips relentlessly drove into her own. “Oh God, baby, I’m sorry but you feel so good.” Rodger moaned and thrust a couple of more times before she could feel him emptying himself within her.
Thank goodness for the pill.
He leaned up against her and whispered in her ear, “Tonight, I promise to make it up to you.”
Smiling when she heard that, Delia knew that he meant every word of what he said.
Chapter Three
After dealing with court for what was going on the third week now, the weekend was a welcome relief for Simone. He had planned on grilling some steaks, watching the football game and drinking an ice-cold beer. Going out on the patio with some steaks on a plate destined for the grill, he heard the phone ring. Walking back into the kitchen he grabbed the phone. “Hello.”
“Hey man, what’s shaking?” said the laughing voice on the other end.
“This isn’t who I think this is? Man, how the hell are you, Andrew?” Simone made his way back out to the grill.
“Well, I am doing just great, man. Listen I wanted to come by your place. I’m headed back home to spend some time with Delia this weekend,” Andrew told him.
“Well, come on by, man. I’m doing steaks out here on the grill.”
“Well, I guess you might as well put one more on the grill and hand me a beer!”
Looking toward the gate, he saw his friend standing inside the backyard and making his way to the patio. Once he got close, the two best friends hugged and laughed. “Man, it’s good to see you!”
“Hell, it’s great seeing you, man. Go and grab some beers out of the fridge while I put on these steaks.”
Soon it was just like old times between him and Andrew as they caught up on what was going on in their lives. Andrew had been his friend since they were both in elementary school and throughout their friendship, they had been more than just friends, he was just like one of the bros. Always getting into mischief and trouble, they’d always had each other’s back through thick and thin. “So how’s Diane?
“Oh, she’s doing great. She’s in England on business for the next two weeks. Which sucks big time of course, but with her job, she does have to travel. But I can tell you that this will be her last time going out of the country, though,” Andrew said, taking a swig of beer.
“For real, why is that?”
“Let’s just say you are going to be a godfather, my friend.”
Simone looked shocked at his friend then started smiling as wide as the Cheshire cat. “No way, man, you guys are going to have a kid? That’s great, man, how far along is she?”
“She’s only a month and a half. Man, it’s a wonderful feeling, too. I can’t believe I’m going to be a father now. Can you imagine that I’m going to be a father?”
“And it couldn’t happen to a better couple. Here’s a toast, to your lovely child and my lovely godchild. Salute!” Both of them clinked bottles and laughed before taking a swig of their beers.
“Why don’t you come with me to town for the weekend, man?”
“Today is my day of rest from working my ass off for weeks on end. Plus, you know Mom makes dinner every Sunday, so you know I won’t miss out on that.”
“Oh hell, yes, I always loved your mom’s Sunday dinners. I plan on visiting her but I also plan on making it for dinner on Sunday with you guys. Just as long as you don’t eat up everything in sight then I’ll be all right. So besides that, has anybody caught your eye yet? I mean it would be nice to see some little Ciprianos around here.”
Simone smiled and shook his head, “I haven’t found the right girl yet, even though I honestly have to say that I’ve been thinking about someone for some time now.”
“Oh you have, huh? Do I know her?”
“Yeah you know her but I rather not say who she is. At least not yet though. It’s kind of complicated.”
“What do you mean complicated, bro?”
Running his fingers through his dark brown hair for moment, he thought about what to say to his friend to make him understand. “For the past couple of months, I’ve been thinking about her constantly. I’ve sat around my office for hours thinking about when we all were teenagers and how much fun we had. Then I saw her at Mom’s party and now I can’t seem to get her face, much less her smile, off my mind for a second, man.” He looked over at his friend who was listening to his every word and he decided to continue. “And now she’s with someone else and they both seem real happy with each other. But deep down I honestly don’t know what the hell to do.”
“You’re in love with Delia, aren’t you?”
He was about to correct him but Andrew put up his hand to stop him. “Listen, we’ve known each other too damn long not to know what th
e other is thinking. I told you years ago when you took her out on her first date that you guys looked nice together. Besides, she’s really happy with Rodger, they’ve been dating for going on two years now. I’ve never seen a couple so happy together like those two are. Did the fact that you saw her with another man bring out these feelings or was it because you just put them in a drawer and said, ‘Well, I’ll just leave it there for another day?”
“I honestly didn’t even know she was dating anybody until I saw her at the party that night. Plus, my feelings for Delia were put on hold because I didn’t want it to ruin our friendship, man. I didn’t want you getting mad at me for being all over your sister and shit.”
“Simone man, you know I wouldn’t have cared if you’d gotten with Delia. Honestly, I would have rather you had gotten with her in the first place. But of course, things happened, feelings change and so do people. If you really care about her man, just let her be happy right now.”
“That is easier said than done, my friend. Especially when you care too much about someone you’ve known for most of your life.”
“Honestly, have you ever told her how you feel?”
“Hell no man and the reason why, you may be asking, is because of you and I. I respect you as a friend, hell you’re like another brother to me. I would have felt completely uncomfortable going out with my best friend’s kid sister.”
He watched Andrew sitting there shaking his head, “I want to thank you for saying that, bro, because I’ve always respected you as well. But if you had wanted to date Delia, I wouldn’t have minded. Hell, I know my mom would have loved it if you guys had dated. She always thought you would have been great together because Delia would talk about you to her all the time. Hell, I thought when you guys went out on her first date that of course it would have sealed the deal. What happened that night? Because when she came home, she had the biggest smile on her face.”
Simone (The Ciprianos of Kellington Book 2) Page 2
