“You seem rested.”
“Ugh,” I grunted and yawned. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost eleven.”
“Eleven!” I was awake now. I turned around and ran back into my room to fetch my cell phone. There was a voice mail, but it was from my mom. There were a couple text messages from friends, but nothing from Dominic. I sat down on the edge of the bed as disappointment and doubt squeezed my heart like a vice. Did he just want to sleep with me and that’s it? Was I wrong in thinking he liked me too? I rolled over in a fetal position, replaying every moment, every word that we shared. Did I set myself up for rejection? I groaned as I closed my eyes and tried to clear the negativity that clouded my thoughts.
“What’s wrong?” Chelsea asked as she stood in my bedroom doorway.
“He didn’t call. He was supposed to and we were going to go out tonight.” My voice was strained with tears ready to be spilled.
“He’ll call,” Chelsea reassured me and sat down next to me.
“I knew I wasn’t ready for this. I have no idea what to do…am I acting crazy?”
“Not at all. You’re acting like a normal girl who has fallen for a boy.”
“I am? What if he never calls?”
“Nat, you need to relax. He will call. He would be a fool not to.” She rubbed my back as she said this.
“I hope he does. You’re right, I didn’t want to admit it, but I really do like him.”
Chelsea stayed by my side until sleep claimed me at some point and I woke as the sun peeked through my blinds. This morning I’d be watching the sunrise alone. I sighed and hugged a pillow to my chest. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table - still no messages from Dominic. I debated whether I should call him, but didn’t want to appear desperate or hear his rejection. Since I was up early, I dressed for the early morning chill and went for a run. By the time I reached Rittenhouse Square I had broken into a sweat. The run helped to clear my head and the long, hot shower afterwards washed Dominic’s scent off of me and quieted my nerves. I wouldn’t let it get to me. If he called, he called and if he didn’t, that was his loss. My guard was back up and I chastised myself for letting it down in the first place.
I flicked on the TV on my way into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee; only half listening to the news as I toasted a bagel. A news story caught my attention and I stopped what I was doing to listen. The newscaster was discussing a shooting that had occurred overnight in South Philly on Lombard Street. They said it looked like a mob hit, even though the Philly mob was supposedly no longer in existence. The victim had been identified as George “The Stump” Fratelli. It was “The Stump” that had grabbed my attention. I remembered the other night at Crimson when Grant and Uncle Marco were discussing a guy named Stump who hadn’t paid his bill. Could this be the same guy? If so, wasn’t Grant supposed to take care of it? I laughed at myself and the idea that Grant was in the mafia. This was probably just a coincidence.
The rest of the news was boring and the weather forecast I could have done myself - more freezing cold temperatures with no end in sight. I scarfed down the bagel, poured coffee into a travel mug, and bundled up to face the cold.
The studio lab helped to distract me and I immersed myself in a sculpture project. I was used to working with clay and embraced the challenge of working with metal. Once I got a handle on the welding torch, the metal was just as malleable. I enjoyed getting lost in the project and felt like I had accomplished something as I walked back to my apartment. I had tonight to get caught up on my work, before I had to work at Crimson again. One good thing about not being with Dominic was that I could get my work done. At least I tried to convince myself of that.
I turned the corner onto my block and immediately stopped. Dominic’s Mustang was parked directly in front of my building. My heart stopped too. I didn’t know what to do. I was ready to write him off and was not expecting him to be waiting for me. I thought about turning and going back around the corner but saw the driver’s side door open and Dominic getting out. He must have seen me. I narrowed my eyes and made sure my emotions were in check before marching up to meet him.
His face lit up when he saw me approach and my step faltered. He saw my hesitation and frowned, the green of his eyes grew darker.
“Dominic,” I greeted him with an emotionless voice.
“Hi.” He leaned down to kiss me and I took a step back. “What’s wrong, Nat?”
I couldn’t meet his eyes and was beginning to wonder if I was acting psychotic. Sure, he didn’t call me last night, but here he was standing in front of me, wanting to kiss me.
“Oh…I, um.” I struggled for words and debated whether to give him another chance. I cursed the effect his very presence was having on my resolve. “Can we talk, upstairs?”
“Sure.” He followed me up to my apartment. Chelsea was in the kitchen making ramen and we waved as I led Dominic back to my room. I shut the door for some privacy and dropped my jacket and backpack on the floor. My bedroom wasn’t nearly as luxurious as Dominic’s. My bed wasn’t made and the comforter hung off the side onto the floor. The desk under one of the windows had a pile of textbooks on it and the easel in the corner held a canvas with a painting in progress. One of my bras hung on the back of my desk chair and I quickly grabbed it and shoved it in the top drawer of the Ikea dresser. Dominic poked around my room as I attempted to control some of the chaos. He picked up a framed picture of Grant, me and my mom that sat on my desk. It was taken at Grant’s high school graduation; when we were wide eyed and innocent. That was eight years ago and we were both a lot wiser now.
I could feel Dominic watching me as I flitted about the room nervously, pretending to straighten up in order to buy some more time because I didn’t know how to begin.
“Nat, what’s going on?” Dominic broke the silence and I was out of time. Still unable to look at him, I began to speak.
“This is probably going to sound ridiculous or psychotic or both…” I risked a glance at his face and his expression was passive. I continued. “Normally it doesn’t bother me when a guy doesn’t call after…you know. But the other night was so different and it really, like, almost hurt me when you didn’t.” I could feel the tears creeping up to the surface and choked them back. I was over by my easel organizing the paints when Dominic came over and took my hand in his. He reached for my face and turned it, I had to meet his eyes then. I didn’t see ridicule or insincerity lingering there only compassion and understanding.
“I’m sorry. You’re right I should have called, but I wasn’t able to. Uncle Marco needed my help with some stuff and that took up most of the night. You can ask your brother. He was with me. I was going to call you, but it was late. I figured you’d be pretty tired after the night before,” he smiled at the reference. “And you’re right. The other night was different for me too.”
“It was?”
“Yes. Amazing, actually.”
“Grant was with you?”
“Yes. Do you want to ask him?” Dominic pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.
“No. Don’t call him, I believe you…and you can call me anytime, I won’t mind.”
“Well, Uncle Marco doesn’t like distractions and I didn’t have a break. I am really sorry.” He cupped my face in his hands and leaned in for a kiss. I hesitated slightly, but didn’t pull back. Reaching up, I wrapped my arms around the back of Dominic’s neck. He pulled me closer and placed his lips on mine. All was forgiven the moment we connected.
We separated and I rested my head on his chest, “I’m sorry too. I didn’t really have a right to react that way since you aren’t my boyfriend.”
“I want to be,” he whispered in my ear.
Dominic was here in my room and holding me, revealing that he wanted to be with me. I couldn’t refuse him, because deep down, I wanted it too.
This whole relationship business was new to me. I had to learn to trust Dominic and I had to learn to trust myself in a relationship. Know
ing this, I squeezed him tight and whispered back, “Ok.”
I heard him sigh with contentment and he kissed the top of my head. “Did you eat dinner?” he asked.
“No, I’m just getting back from class.”
“Want to go grab something to eat?”
I paused because I was supposed to go with Chelsea to watch our shows at Jillian’s apartment. “Give me a sec,” I told Dominic and left him in my room.
Chelsea sat cross legged on the futon with a steaming bowl of ramen in her hand.
“See, I told you he wouldn’t dis’ you,” she said.
“You’re always right. I don’t know how I could have doubted you!” I plopped down on the futon next to her. “I hope you won’t be mad at me, but Dominic asked me out tonight. Are you okay going to Jillian’s by yourself?”
Chelsea slurped noodles into her mouth before answering. “I guess so,” she sounded disappointed. “You’re going to miss some good episodes.”
“I know, but I can watch them online later. I really want to go out with Dom. You see, I just agreed to be his girlfriend.”
Chelsea almost dropped her bowl. “Are you serious?” My cheeks hurt from the ear to ear grin that spread across my face. “Holy shit, Nat this is huge! Go; get going… everyone at Jillian’s will understand, although I don’t think they’ll believe me!”
I laughed at her enthusiasm because it mirrored the excitement I was feeling. Hopping up off the futon, I half ran half skipped back to my room. Dominic was still checking out the various pictures and paintings that hung on the walls.
“Did you paint this?” he asked, pointing at a watercolor.
“I did.”
“Wow. You’re really talented.”
I savored the compliment. “Thanks.”
“The landscape…it looks familiar.”
“That’s the beach at LBI. I love the sand dunes and the sea grass.”
He proceeded to walk around my room in silence, as if he was in a gallery or museum, admiring each painting, drawing and sculpture. My room was cluttered with projects. The two windowsills served as extra shelf space and overflowed with multiple ceramic pieces.
“Nat, you’re work is amazing. I had no idea!”
“I applied to several grad schools. My professors kept encouraging me.”
“I can see why they would. The only thing my hands are good at is getting people to do what I want.”
I tilted my head at the odd comment. “What do you mean by that?”
“Err, never mind, that didn’t come out right. I meant that my hands are good at giving you what you want.” I could tell he was trying to make light of what he had just said. I had heard him the first time, but wasn’t quite sure what he meant by it. “So, did you want to go out for dinner?” he continued.
“Yes, did you have a place in mind?”
“Butter, ever been there?”
I shook my head no. “Five-star restaurants don’t exactly fit in my college student budget.”
“Right,” Dominic glanced down at the jeans and sweatshirt I was wearing and raised his eyebrow. “You’ll probably need to change.”
“Oh, right!” I hadn’t noticed that Dominic was dressed up. He had on pressed black pants on and a dark green long sleeve shirt. I went over to my closet and started sorting through my clothes. I pulled out a black mini cocktail dress that was simple enough to be dressy, but not too dressy. I turned to leave to get changed in the bathroom.
“Where are you going?”
“To get ready.”
“You can get dressed in here, with me. It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before.” He sat back on the bed and made himself comfortable. I could feel the heat creep up my neck and flare on my cheeks. Yes, he had seen me naked before. A nervous laugh escaped my lips.
“No need to be shy.” He got up off the bed and walked over to me. “I’m your boyfriend, remember?” His hands reached down to the bottom of my sweatshirt and he lifted it up. I raised my arms in surrender and he pulled the sweatshirt off.
****
It took us awhile to get out of my bedroom. Finally, we emerged and Chelsea whistled when she saw me all dressed up.
“Wow, where are you two going?”
“Dom’s taking me to Butter for dinner.”
Chelsea’s eyes grew huge. “I hear that place is incredible.”
“I’ll let you know how it is.”
“I promise to have her home at decent hour this time,” Dominic said in a serious tone, like Chelsea was a parent and she laughed.
“Don’t worry about me. You two have fun!” She was still giggling when we left the apartment.
Chapter 10
We pulled up in front of Butter and the valet was quick to help when he recognized the black Mustang. Dominic slipped him a twenty dollar bill then escorted me inside. A tan man about Dom’s age greeted us as soon as we walked through the door. He wore a dark gray suit that had to have been tailored made for his broad shoulders.
“Dom!” He exclaimed, pulling my boyfriend into a hug.
“Dante, good to see you! This is Natalie. Nat, this is my cousin Dante.”
“Nice to meet you.” He shook my hand.”Wow Dom, you sure know how to pick them,” he commented as he watched me take off my coat and place it on his waiting arm. Nice. What did he mean by that?
“I have a table reserved for you guys over here.” We followed him through the dining area. I felt out of place in this restaurant that oozed opulence. The color scheme consisted of rich creams and ivories with a very pale yellow as an accent like, well, butter. These colors contrasted against the dark mahogany furniture. Candles flickered everywhere with flames reflecting off of crystal chandeliers. So this is what five star dining was all about, I thought to myself, and tried to remember which fork to use and when. Several of the diners watched as we walked by. This only added to my insecurity.
Dante sat us at a table towards the back of the restaurant in a more secluded area. Dominic acted the perfect gentleman and held the chair out. As I adjusted myself I noticed someone was checking me out. I followed Dante’s gaze as he took in the low neckline of my dress. Dominic noticed too and glared at his cousin who smiled apologetically and quickly left us alone.
“God, this place is amazing!” I said to Dominic, trying to keep my voice down.
“Wait until you try the food. My Uncle Al, Dante’s dad, recruited the chefs from all over the country.”
“I’m noticing a trend here. Your family seems pretty serious about food,” I teased.
“You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until you attend a gathering that involves the entire family. It’s like a cook off and can get pretty competitive.” I liked how he said this, like I was already going to be included.
“It sounds like you have a huge family.”
“Huge. There is always something going on. Someone getting married, having a kid or dying.”
“I have no idea what that’s like. It’s always been Grant, my mom and I.”
“No cousins or grandparents?”
“Nope…well, not close. My mom was an only child and her parents died when I was young - actually not too long after my Dad left us.”
“That must have been pretty tough for your mom?”
I nodded. “She didn’t handle things well.” I didn’t elaborate about how depression swallowed her whole. Or how Grant had to step in and make sure I got to school with breakfast in my stomach. I didn’t tell him how my mom would berate me when I got home and accuse me of being selfish and lost in my head just like my father. She might as well have accused me of being the devil.
“You and Grant are close though.”
“I guess so. I think he feels obligated to look out for me or it’s just become a habit for him. He’s always been there. The flip side is that he can interfere.”
“Well, at least you have some family around. I don’t know what I would do without mine.”
“Probably starve,” I joked. The tri
p down memory lane was bringing me down and I didn’t want to ruin our date.
Dante made sure the service was impeccable and it matched the food. We ate in silence, enjoying every last bite. The portions here were reasonable and not falling over the sides of the plates like at Franco’s. After I finished eating I sat back with my glass of wine and watched Dominic. I really couldn’t believe that I had agreed to be his girlfriend. When I started thinking about it, panic began to creep up from the pit of my stomach. I took a sip of wine, hoping to wash the fear back down.
The waiter came around and cleared our plates. “Dante wanted me to tell you that the meal is on the house,” he said.
“Tell him thank you and this is for you.” Dominic handed the waiter a one hundred dollar bill.
“Thank you sir, enjoy the rest of your night,” he said before he left the table.
“Oh, I plan on it,” Dom said and winked at me. I knew what he was implying.
After dinner Dominic took me back to his place and I texted Chelsea that I wasn’t coming home. This time we made it past the living room and christened his bedroom. We stayed up exploring each other and fell asleep as the morning sky began to lighten.
I woke with a start and glanced over Dominic’s shoulder at the alarm clock on his bedside table.
“Shit!” I exclaimed and jumped out of bed. Thursday morning had already come and gone.
“What?” Dominic murmured, still half asleep.
“I’m late for class!” I ran around the room and picked my clothes up that were strewn all over the floor.
“Come back to bed. You can miss today,” Dom beckoned as he patted the bed.
“I can’t. Midterms are coming up and I have so much to do!”
“What’s one day? You can catch up.”
Seeing him lying there naked made me weigh my options. I was already late for my third class and by the time I made it back to my apartment and got changed, my fourth and final class would be over. I sighed and let the clothes drop back onto the floor before climbing back into bed. Dominic pulled me up close against him and lightly kissed my neck and shoulders. Any stress about school dissipated with his touch.
The Beautiful People (The New Mafia Trilogy) Page 7
