Childhood Dream

by Theresa Paolo

  Tony hadn’t realized how much he missed seeing his sister around until this very moment. For years, it was just the three of them against the world. Sure Enzo and Marco had been ever present, but they had their own places, and would always go home to their own lives. For Tony, Ella and Grandpa were his life, and after Ella left for California, the house had become quiet, still, unruffled and it made Tony retreat to his studio more and more. Unfortunately, the extra time in the studio did nothing to help combat his block.

  Painting had always been his escape, and he could fall into it easily, losing himself in the strokes of the brush, the splatter of the paint, the art of creating, but lately the part of him that flamed to life when he took a brush in his hand, sputtered and went blank instead.

  “Morning,” he said, stepping into the kitchen, and forcing back the disappointment in his inability to create.

  “Morning!” Ella sing-songed, a huge smile on her face. Her long, brown hair fell in waves over her shoulder and her brown eyes matched her smile, bright and cheery.

  “Where’s your better half?” he asked.

  “At Joe’s place going over his books.” Lucas’ grandfather nearly lost his restaurant due to bad finances, but with the help of Lucas, the town, and their grandfather, they saved Joe’s Lobster House from shutdown. Every time Lucas came back to Willow Cove, he made sure Joe was staying on track with his bills. “I thought I’d make a big breakfast like old times.”

  “Smells amazing,” he said and grabbed the plate Ella handed him.

  “It’s about time you got up. This she-devil wouldn’t let me eat a thing until you made an appearance,” Grandpa said. “I’m going to pass out from starvation.”

  “I highly doubt that.” Ella laughed. “I just wanted us to eat together is all.” Ella forked a stack of pancakes and plopped them on Grandpa’s plate. “Were you always this dramatic or are you making up for the months I was gone?”

  Ella’s eyes met his, and they both laughed. “Always this dramatic.”

  With a nod, Ella finished forking over pancakes before making a plate for herself. Tony grabbed the pot of coffee and poured himself a cup in the mug Ella had bought him for Christmas one year that read, Not Paint Water, after an unfortunate incident where she took a sip from the wrong mug, getting a nice mouthful of water and paint.

  He took a sip as he placed his plate on the table. Grandpa went right for the bacon, piling his plate high.

  “Have you had blood work recently?” Ella asked, always the mother hen.

  Grandpa took a bite of bacon before replying. “Three weeks ago, and my cholesterol is just fine, thank you very much.”

  “Are you lying?” Ella asked, forking a piece of pancake and eating it.

  Grandpa’s fork sputtered to the table, and he hit his chest with both hands. “You calling me a liar, Fabriella?”

  “No, but I’ll check with Dr. Silva later.”

  Grandpa gasped, and Tony sat back, loving the show. He’d missed this morning banter when Ella wasn’t around. He and Grandpa got on just fine, but it wasn’t the same without the nagging and joyous demeanor of Ella. Though, she thought they’d fall apart without her, live in squalor and forget how to function, but they were managing just fine.

  “I brought him to his appointment,” Tony said. “He’s not lying. All his blood work is good. Was in the room when Dr. Silva went over it.”

  “Oh,” Ella said, her eyes casting to her plate as if disappointment weighed heavy.

  Tony reached over, resting his hand on Ella’s. “I know you worry, but we’re okay.” Ever since Mom died and Dad got his ass thrown in jail, Ella was a fixer. A do-gooder who put everyone above herself. Leaving for California hadn’t been easy for her, but after dropping out of college when Grandma died to come home and take care of Grandpa, she deserved her happiness.

  “You two and the other two knuckleheads forget I’m the adult,” Grandpa said, holding his fork in the air like he was leading a charge.

  Ella handed him a napkin. “You have syrup on your chin.”

  Grandpa begrudgingly took the napkin and wiped his chin clean, muttering obscenities in Italian while Tony and Ella muffled a laugh.

  “What happened to you at the wedding?” Ella asked, her dark eyebrow raising toward her hairline.

  He kept his face clear of emotion. While he wanted to scream from the rooftops that he memorized the soft curves of Krissy’s body, knew how to make her come and scream his name, she didn’t want anyone to know. He respected her, even if he didn’t agree. “What are you talking about? I was there.”

  “You disappeared earlier than I expected.”

  He shrugged and took a bite of bacon, savoring the salty goodness. “I headed up to my room. Long day and I was tired.”

  “So you didn’t hook up with anyone?”

  Did Ella know? Did Krissy tell her? She had been so adamant about keeping it between them, and never letting Ella know, she wouldn’t have said anything. Unless someone had seen them. It was possible. Why he thought they’d been discreet, there were moments when he was so consumed with Krissy, he had no idea what was going on around him.

  “No,” he said the one word with finality. “I’m not that cool.”

  “We know,” Ella joked.

  “Besides, just because you had a secret love affair doesn’t mean the rest of us are going to go down the same path.” Except that’s exactly what was happening. Even if he could convince Krissy that they were amazing together, getting her to go public would be a chore. But he was up for it. He’d waited over a decade to get the beautiful soul to notice him. He had patience in abundance.

  “True.” Ella swiped her dark hair over her shoulder. “Krissy told me you’re going to help her fix the damage to the ice cream shop.”

  Tony tried not to look off kilter as his two worlds collided right under Ella’s nose without her realizing. “I did. The damage isn’t cleanable, it needs a fresh coat of paint.”

  “I hope they catch the bastards,” Grandpa said, reaching for more bacon.

  “Me too,” Ella said. “Only an asshole would do something like that.”

  Grandpa shoved his fork in Ella’s direction. “Mouth.”

  “Sorry,” she said. “It’s just everyone loves Scoops and Krissy. It makes no sense.”

  Tony finished off the last few pieces on his plate. “Reid is on the case. I’m sure he’ll figure it out in no time and we’ll get the answers we’re all looking for.”

  Tony pushed up from the table and brought his plate to the dishwasher. “You going to be around later?” he asked Ella.

  “Lucas and I are going out to dinner with Enzo and Cami.”

  “Then I won’t wait up.” He winked, then walked over and kissed the top of her head. “It’s good to have you home, sis. Thanks for breakfast.”

  Grandpa stopped mid reach for another strip of bacon. “You’re not in your painting uniform.”

  “I have plans.”

  “You’re venturing out of the house.” Grandpa grabbed his chest in true Vinny Moretti dramatic fashion. His hands dropped to the table. “Oh wait. Garrett is back from Detroit. Tell him to stop by the restaurant for lunch.”

  “I don’t have plans with Garrett. As Ella said, I’m helping Krissy repaint the ice cream shop. I need to get supplies.”

  “Oh! You have fun then,” Grandpa said with a suggestive wink, and Tony was happy Ella was looking at her phone.

  “Thanks,” Tony muttered. He grabbed a Pop-Tart out of the cabinet for later and headed out.

  Tony slipped into his Subaru. He had bought it after he sold his first painting. He wanted to buy a Volkswagen bus, but he needed something a little more reliable that was good on gas and could hold its own in the snow.

  Krissy didn’t live too far, not that anyone was too far in their small town. She had wanted to meet him at the store, but he insisted he pick her up. He pulled into her driveway. Her flower beds were bare, but as spring grew near, they’d bloom in all
their beautiful glory. Krissy had a knack for gardening, and her house displayed that talent well.

  He put the car in park and went to get out when he spotted Krissy hurrying out the door. Her bag slung over her shoulders, glasses slipping down her nose, and her long hair pulled back in a ponytail while her bangs were perfectly combed in place.

  “I would’ve come to the door,” he said as she plopped into the passenger seat and rested her bag on her lap before pushing her black-framed glasses into place. The car filled with her familiar waffle cone scent, an intoxicating aroma that married the sweet fragrances of vanilla, salted caramel, and a touch of cinnamon.

  She reached for the seatbelt, snapping it into place. “Not necessary. We going?” She turned to him with a smile, but there was a nervous energy that flowed off her.

  He reached over to brush his finger across the apple of her cheek, calm the frenzy within her, but she politely smacked his hand away. With a laugh, he settled back into his seat. “I see how it is.”

  “We both agreed that nothing else can happen between us, and you’re simply helping me. A friend helping a friend, and I’ll return the favor by posing for you.”

  “I never agreed to that.”

  She inhaled with a gasp. “Yes, you did.”

  “I agreed to all that other stuff, but I’d never agree that there’s nothing between us. Whether you want to admit it or not, there is.”

  She grabbed for the door handle. “This was a bad idea.”

  He reached over, taking her hand in his and halting her from getting out. She sucked in a breath as the warmth of their hands mixed together. Her teeth slid over her lip, and she exhaled slowly.

  “Don’t go,” he said, meeting her gaze and holding it. “I promise to behave.”

  She all but snorted. “I bet you twenty bucks you can’t.”

  “I bet you a kiss, I can.”

  Her tongue slipped out, dabbing at her bottom lip as if the thought propelled a memory inside her. She blinked up, pinning him with her pretty hazel eyes that were greener today. “Even your bet shows you can’t behave.”

  “I’m just using the bet to my advantage. Want to change your prize?”

  “I do actually. You lose and you help me package my next shipment of soaps.”

  He held his hand out. “You’re on,” he said as they shook.

  ***

  Krissy had no idea why she took the stupid bet or why she’d changed the prize. Yes, it’d be great to have an extra set of hands to help fulfill her orders, but she could easily get Ella and Cami to help if she made them margaritas as she’d done many times before. Now, if she won, Tony would help her. They’d be in her house together, alone, just the two of them, and frankly she didn’t trust herself… not when he looked like sex on a stick—a delicious ice cream treat she wanted to lick over and over again.

  Though, if she lost, he wanted a kiss…

  Should be harmless enough since they’d done more than kiss before, but the thought of his lips on hers again sent a liquid heat to her core. She didn’t know if she’d be able to stop at a kiss, and she wondered if Tony knew this. If this was his master plan to get her in bed again.

  Then again, she already agreed to model for him. She doubted he had the public beach in mind as a backdrop. No, he wanted her in his studio, most likely just the two of them.

  She swallowed as her mind drifted to the possibilities then she quickly squashed the idea. Just as she told Tony. Nothing else was going to happen between them. They had been two lonely people who found solace with each other for one night, a simple, no-strings-attached hookup, and that was it.

  So why did the thought of his kiss make her thighs quiver in anticipation? Kissing Tony bet or not would be a bad idea. She needed to get him to misbehave, so there’d be no kiss between them.

  Besides, she really needed the help with her next shipment. Ella would be heading to California soon, and Cami was already overloaded with the coffee shop.

  Tony pulled into the parking lot of the local hardware store and put the car in park. “Ready?” he asked as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

  “Let’s do this.” She slipped out of the car, and Tony waited for her by the bumper. She wondered if he was on his way to open her door, then thought better of it. It would make sense. Vinny had raised his grandsons to be respectful to women and treat them accordingly. “I did a little research on what paint would be best.”

  “That wasn’t necessary. I know exactly what you need.”

  “But it needs to follow certain guidelines to keep the building acceptable to be declared a historic landmark.” She needed to make sure everything was done by the book to ensure the integrity of the building.

  “I know,” he said with straight up confidence.

  Her head tilted, and she stumbled on her words. He stopped walking and grabbed her shoulders, sending a skittering of sparks through her.

  She bit her lip, a sad attempt to keep the sudden jolt of electricity a secret, but when she glanced up, catching the dark brown of Tony’s eyes, she knew he felt it too. His thumb grazed her bottom lip, and she inhaled a jagged breath. Was that gesture grounds for him to lose their bet? If she could get her brain to stop malfunctioning, she’d be able to decide.

  “Would I ever do you wrong, Kris?” he asked with an adorable smirk. “I already looked into all the guidelines and contacted the state’s Historical Resources Commission to confirm what I read.”

  “You did what?”

  He shrugged. “I know how important Scoops is to you and how important it is to preserve the building and your aunt’s legacy. I didn’t want to do anything that could jeopardize that.”

  Warmth exploded in her heart, and without thinking, she leaned up on tiptoe and pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek. “Thank you,” she said against his skin.

  The cologne he wore the night of the wedding surrounded her. The crisp scent of blue cypress and fresh coastal air was intoxicating, but she missed his familiar oil paint smell. She wondered when the last time he picked up a paintbrush and put it to canvas. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen anything new on his website in a while.

  Not that she checked often.

  She lowered down and shifted from one foot to the other as an awkwardness overcame her.

  “Just so we’re clear,” Tony said. “That kiss does not count against me, nor does it count as my prize.”

  Remembering her need to win, she flashed what she hoped was a sexy smile. “Why is that? You think you can do better?”

  His lips parted, then snapped shot. A long finger pointed at her, and he laughed. “You’re smooth.”

  She fluttered her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You almost got me there.”

  “Got you where?”

  “Oh, you are playing dirty.”

  “I like dirty,” she said in a low sexy tone she didn’t know she was capable of.

  His face turned a bright shade of red as he rubbed a hand across his chin. His jaw clenched as if he was physically forcing himself to keep from letting a sexual innuendo flow freely. “Paint,” he said and adjusted away from her. “Let’s go get paint.”

  “Whatever you want.”

  What sounded like a growl came from his direction, and she smiled to herself in victory. She might win this bet after all.

  “Can I help you?” An older gentleman asked from behind the counter. He adjusted his glasses, and a genuine smile blossomed on his face. “If it isn’t Tony Moretti.”

  “Emilio,” Tony said and walked over to the counter.

  The man stepped out with his hand extended, and Tony shook it as if they were old pals. Tony patted his back and nodded to Krissy.

  “Emilio, this is Krissy Turner, she owns Scoops.”

  “Best ice cream in the country,” Emilio said.

  Warmth spread through her, and she smiled her appreciation. “Thank you.”

  “I heard some scumbag vandalized the place.”
r />   “Looks like whoever it was threw a bucket of paint at the wall,” Tony explained.

  “They didn’t catch ‘em yet?”

  “No, but Reid is on the case,” Krissy said.

  “I hope he finds the bastard. Scoops is an institution here in Willow Cove and deserves respect.”

  “I agree, and I hope he finds whoever did it as well. In the meantime, we’re hoping to fix the damage before I reopen for the season.”

  “I’m happy to help with whatever it is you need.”

  “Tony seems to know exactly what kind of paint is needed, so I’ll let him take the lead.”

  “Talk to me.” Emilio said, walking toward the back of the building with Tony. Krissy followed behind, listening to them discuss the details, and tried to understand half of what they were saying. It was paint. How complicated could it possibly be? Complicated enough that she was happy to have Tony helping her. She would have bought the wrong paint if he wasn’t here even if she did research for over an hour on what she needed.

  Twenty minutes later, cans of paint and other paint supplies in hand, they walked out to the car. “You and Emilio seem to go way back.”

  It was always funny to her when she didn’t know someone in their small town, but she didn’t have much reason to go to the hardware store. She’d done the backsplash in her kitchen and a few other home repairs, but she’d special ordered supplies online, or she hated to say it, went into a bigger town to a specialty store.

  “I started coming here when I painted houses. He has a good selection of stuff for a small store.”

  “He seemed to have everything just shy of a vibrator.” The words were out before she could stop them, but she held her ground, hoping he’d finally crack and she could declare herself the winner of their bet.

  His head snapped up, and he tossed the supplies into the truck before pinning her against the car. He pressed into her, and she swallowed at the desire rising inside of her as he lowered his head to hers. “You’re really pushing my buttons.” His voice was a growl, full of want—a want she so desperately wanted to fulfill.