by Janice Sims
His thoughts returned to that afternoon. He’d arrived at Dr. Kaddouri’s posh East Hampton medical clinic at four o’clock for the results of the yearly physical he’d had weeks earlier, hopeful his doctor would declare him physically fit to play polo.
Since his concussion, he’d worked hard to strengthen his body. He’d avoided alcohol, increased the intensity of his workouts, made sure he got adequate sleep each night and successfully managed his stress. To ensure he was on the right track, he’d done his due diligence. He’d researched concussions, visited several sports medicine physicians and spoken to experts and former polo players who’d also been injured during their career.
He’d wanted to make a sound decision about his mental and physical health, and realized he wasn’t ready yet to throw in the towel. Giovanni felt as sharp as he’d ever been, and was anxious to resume playing the sport he loved. At thirty-two, he was in the best shape of his life, and his test results would prove it.
He’d been ushered into a conference room by a nurse and the moment Dr. Kaddouri opened the door, Giovanni felt a painful knot in his chest. Listening to his neurologist speak, he’d struggled to understand what Dr. Kaddouri was saying but couldn’t make sense of his words. It was the worst possible news. A living nightmare.
“I know this isn’t the news you wanted to hear, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you the truth,” Dr. Kaddouri had said, adjusting his eyeglasses. “There’s a harrowing physical cost to playing any professional sport, but polo carries a significantly higher risk, and although you look fit and strong on the outside, your CAT scan and other test results tell a different story...”
Giovanni had gawked at Dr. Kaddouri. He couldn’t believe it. Didn’t know what to say, couldn’t think let alone speak. For several minutes, he’d sat with his eyes wide and his mouth agape.
According to his neurologist, his career was over. The door was sealed, nailed shut, and the realization that he’d never play in another polo tournament or championship game had shaken Giovanni to the core. It wasn’t the first time his doctor had expressed concerns about him returning to polo, but it was the first time Dr. Kaddouri had refused to sign off on his medical clearance form. Even worse? He’d contacted Giovanni’s longtime physician in Buenos Aires to discuss his concerns, and faxed a copy of his test results to ensure his medical team knew the truth about his health.
Sitting in his padded chair, clutching the armrest so hard his hands throbbed, he’d had an out-of-body experience. Hovering above the room like a ghost, Giovanni saw himself seated at the round table with his head down, but he couldn’t hear what his doctor was saying. Troubling thoughts had come to mind, ones he’d tried to ignore but couldn’t. He wanted to do what was best for his health, wanted to make a smart, informed decision, but he didn’t want to stop playing polo. It wasn’t just his livelihood; it was his life, and he couldn’t live without it. When Dr. Kaddouri used the R word, tears had pierced Giovanni’s eyes. He couldn’t retire. He was in his prime, a force to be reckoned with on the polo field, and desperate to win more championships. But how, when Dr. Kaddouri was standing in his way?
Giovanni didn’t remember leaving the conference room or exiting the clinic, or the fifteen-minute drive to the polo club. Surprisingly enough, the first person he’d thought of calling after he’d parked his SUV was Elise. He’d only known her for a few weeks, but since the morning they’d kissed in the storage room, he’d seen her every day. Sometimes he’d go to the restaurant and have an early-morning breakfast alone with her; other times they’d have coffee at the end of the day, or end up in the lobby together, chatting while they waited for their cars to warm up in the parking lot.
Giovanni looked forward to seeing Elise at the club, and although they hadn’t kissed again, their bond was growing—their attraction, too. Bubbling with personality, Elise was insightful and smart, and Giovanni enjoyed hearing her opinions about popular news stories, controversial issues and viral videos making the rounds on the internet.
His cell phone buzzed inside the pocket of his suit jacket, cuing him that he’d received new text messages. He decided to check them later. He thought of going to Rosario’s office, to confide in her about his appointment with Dr. Kaddouri that afternoon, but he remembered she’d left the club at noon to catch a flight to Dallas to attend her husband’s speaking engagement. If he’d been thinking straight when he’d left the clinic, he would have gone home instead of driving to the club. Standing, his legs felt weak, but he wandered over to the window and stared outside. Snowflakes were falling from the sky and the wind was howling.
In all his life, he couldn’t recall ever feeling so low or hopeless, and the more Giovanni thought about his meeting with Dr. Kaddouri, the harder it was for him to find the silver lining.
* * *
Elise stood in the narrow, dimly lit hallway of the management wing of the polo club, unsure of what to do. Five minutes earlier, the front desk clerk had told her that Giovanni was in his office, but she’d knocked on the door several times with no luck. It didn’t make any sense. Why would the clerk say Giovanni was in his office if he wasn’t? Had he been toying with her? Did he know she had a crush on the dreamy polo player?
Over the last week, they’d seen each other daily, sometimes two or three times, and their conversations were often the highlight of her day. His quiet confidence drew her in, appealed to her in every way, but Elise wouldn’t let history repeat itself. She loved talking with Giovanni, joking around and even flirting with him, but that was the extent of it. Elise didn’t care how gorgeous he was, there’d be no more kissing or making out at the club. Cognizant of their attraction, she avoided touching him or going into the storage room whenever they were alone in the kitchen. It was hard to keep her eyes off of him, but Elise was determined to maintain her composure. Her future was at stake, and even though Giovanni was her type, she had to keep him at arm’s length.
Yawning, Elise rubbed at her eyes then at the dull ache in the back of her neck. Officially off the clock and anxious to go home, she decided to send an email to the senior management team regarding her concerns about the upcoming Christmas events instead of waiting around for Giovanni to show up. She’d been at the club for fourteen hours, rushing from one end of the restaurant to the next preparing meals, supervising the staff and visiting with dinner guests. All she wanted now was a hot bath and a glass of wine. But Elise didn’t move. She hadn’t seen Giovanni all day or received one of his hilarious text messages and she didn’t want to leave the club until they talked.
Leaning forward, Elise grabbed the gold knob, pressed her ear to the door and listened intently, blocking out the noises of the surrounding offices. She couldn’t hear any sounds from inside the dark corner office, and wondered if Giovanni had fallen asleep at his desk. It wouldn’t surprise her. He exercised in the fitness center before work, often during lunchtime and at the end of the day. And when he wasn’t sprinting on the treadmill or lifting weights in his free time, he was in the barn, helping the staff care for the horses.
Elise turned the knob and the door opened. Peering inside the room, she smelled the faint scent of cologne and coffee. Bathed in darkness except for the twinkling city lights visible through the window, the office was cold and empty. Elise frowned. Or was it? Entering the room, she spotted a figure, back to her, sitting at the desk. She took her cell phone out of her back pocket, pressed the flashlight app and used it to light her way.
“Hi, Giovanni. Sorry to bother you, but Rosario’s gone for the day and I need you to approve the menu for the Breakfast with Santa next Saturday so I can order the necessary supplies,” she explained as she crossed the room.
The coral rug, modern furniture, potted bamboo plants and watercolor paintings on the ivory walls created a soothing space, but with each step, her trepidation grew.
A cell phone rang, filling the office with classical music, but Giovanni didn’t a
nswer it or respond to her question.
“Hello? Giovanni?” she said in a quiet voice. “It’s me. Elise. Are you okay?”
Her question was met with silence. She called his name a second time, in a stronger, louder voice, but he didn’t respond or acknowledge her presence.
Concerned, Elise turned on the floor lamp beside the bookshelf, came around the desk and rested a hand on his shoulder.
Studying his face, she noticed his empty gaze and lifeless disposition. He looked broken, crushed, and Elise suspected he was grieving the loss of a friend or family member.
She hated seeing him in pain and wanted to help, would do anything to make him smile again. “Giovanni, what is it? What’s wrong?” she asked. “Talk to me.”
He wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand then cleared his throat.
“You wouldn’t understand,” he grumbled, his voice gruff. “Just go.”
“I’ve been told I’m a great listener who gives smart advice, so talk to me. Maybe I can help.”
“You can’t...no one can...my life is over...”
His words knocked the wind out of her. Was Giovanni sick? Had he been diagnosed with an incurable disease? Did he only have a few months to live? Refusing to think the worst, Elise wiped every troubling thought from her mind and rested a hand on his back. Hoping he’d confide in her, she leaned forward and inclined her head toward him.
The silence stretched on, but Elise remained close to his side, gently rubbing his shoulder. For a split second, she considered calling Rosario to tell her what was going on, but Rosario was out of town for the weekend, and Elise didn’t want to worry her. It didn’t matter how long it took, she’d convince Giovanni to open up to her. And if that didn’t work, she’d contact his parents. Elise didn’t want him to be alone, not in the state of mind he was in, and she wondered if she should reach out to Jonas, as well. The men were great friends. If anyone could cheer Giovanni up, it would be the loud, boisterous New Yorker who loved to crack jokes.
“I can’t play polo anymore...”
His voice was so low Elise had to strain to hear what he was saying, but she listened closely.
“My doctor says it’s too risky, that another concussion could cause irreversible damage and would significantly lower my quality of life,” he explained, tugging at the knot in his tie.
Elise reached out and squeezed his hand. Giovanni was being forced to give up his career and her heart broke for him. At times, Elise still couldn’t believe she’d landed the executive chef position at Vencedores, and couldn’t imagine what she’d do if for some reason she was told she could never cook again.
“Giovanni, I’m so sorry to hear that. I know how much you enjoy playing polo, and how desperate you were to resume your career.”
“What am I going to do now? Polo is everything to me. It’s my life, my passion, my reason for living, and I’m nothing without it.” His voice cracked, broke under the weight of his despair. “If I don’t have my career, I have nothing.”
“That’s not true,” Elise argued. “You’re more than just a polo player. You’re a successful athlete and businessman, with an incredible wealth of knowledge, intelligence and insight, and you can do anything you set your mind to.”
“I don’t want to oversee the family business. I want to play polo.”
“But that’s no longer an option, so you could mentor up-and-coming players, develop new, intensive programs for the club, teach at camps or give private lessons.”
Facing her, his gaze was dark and his lips were a thin line. “You make it sound so easy.”
“Giovanni, I never said it was, and I’m not trying to minimize your feelings—”
“Good, because you have no idea what it’s like to lose what you love most.”
“You’re wrong. I do...” Trailing off, Elise contemplated whether or not to share her personal story with Giovanni. Maybe if she told him about her loss and how she’d survived the worst time of her life, he wouldn’t feel so hopeless or stare at her with disdain.
Feeling compelled to open up to him, Elise cleared her throat and wiped her damp palms along the sides of her gray dress pants. “My parents died in a train crash two years ago and I was devastated—inconsolable. Completely and utterly lost. For weeks, I couldn’t get out of bed and, when I did, I got violently sick. I was a mess.”
Giovanni’s expression was sympathetic.
Elise dropped her gaze to her hands. Overcome with emotion, her throat closed up and her limbs trembled. She needed a moment to gather herself, to right her thoughts, and feared if she didn’t, she’d crumble in front of Giovanni. Elise wanted to comfort him and she couldn’t do that if she broke down in tears.
Unlike most people, he didn’t pry or ask questions about the accident, and Elise was grateful. “I’m living proof that you can overcome life-changing setbacks and come through on the other side—strong, healthy and whole. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my parents and wish that they were alive, but instead of allowing my sadness to swallow me up, I make a conscious decision to face the day, come what may. It’s what my parents would want me to do and, most important, it’s what I want for myself.”
He cringed, as if he’d just heard a spine-tingling scream. “You must think I’m a spoiled, self-absorbed athlete. I’m lamenting the loss of my career, complaining about how cruel and unfair life is, but that’s nothing compared to what you’ve experienced. Elise, you have my deepest condolences.”
Giovanni held her hand tight. He caressed her skin with his thumb, and tingles rippled across her flesh. Butterflies swarmed her stomach and Elise gulped. She had to be careful around him. Couldn’t let her guard down, not even for a second. Not because she thought he’d take advantage of her, but because she feared she’d lose her composure again and kiss him passionately.
Who is consoling whom? Elise wondered, relishing the feel of his warm, soft touch. I could stay here with you forever!
“Elise, I’m in awe of you. You’re the strongest and most resilient woman I know.”
“We both are. If I can survive losing my parents, you can survive losing your career.”
“You’re right. I can.”
“It doesn’t matter how bad things get or how low you feel, because you’ll always have your memories and they’re more valuable than gold. They’re treasured moments that will remain in your heart and mind forever.” Elise smirked. “And on the internet, of course. I’ve watched some of your matches online and you should, too. They’re incredible.”
“And so are you.”
At a loss for words, Elise didn’t know what to say. They shared a long, meaningful look, and heat coursed through her body. He stared deeply into her eyes, as if he was searching her soul.
Scared her emotions would get the best of her and she’d pounce on him, Elise tore her gaze away from his mouth and stepped back. She couldn’t risk embarrassing herself or losing her composure. Giovanni was exactly her type, and that was the problem. She liked his look, his confidence and how he carried himself, but she wanted someone to share her life with—not a Christmas fling—and she refused to settle for less than she deserved.
“Elise, I’m glad you stopped by,” he confessed with a sad smile. “Your honesty was refreshing and just what I needed to hear, so thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“Do you have plans tonight? Are you meeting up with Jonas later?”
“No, I’m heading home. I have a lot on my mind and I want to be alone.”
“I’m free, too. We should hang out...” Elise tried to sound casual, as if her invitation was no big deal, but her voice quavered and she let the words trail off. She didn’t like the idea of Giovanni being alone, not after the devastating news he’d received from his doctor that afternoon, and decided to take him to one of her favorite spots in the Hamptons. “You need something to take your mind off yo
ur troubles. I know somewhere we can go that you’ll love.”
“Maybe another time. I feel like crap right now and I wouldn’t be good company.”
“I’m not asking you, Giovanni. I’m telling you. You’re going and that’s final.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Is that right?”
“It sure is!” Elise clasped his hand, dragged him to his feet and gestured to the door with a flick of her head. “Let’s go. We’ve both had a long, stressful day, and I know the perfect place we can go to blow off steam for a couple hours.”
Hope brightened his eyes and a devilish grin curled his lips. “Your condo?”
“You wish!” she quipped, patting his cheek good-naturedly. “Bring a change of clothes, because your tailored designer suit is all wrong for the activity we’re doing. And hurry up! The clock’s ticking.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he joked, saluting her with his right hand. “Anything else, Your Highness?”
“Meet me in the parking lot in ten minutes, or I’ll come find you, and it won’t be pretty.”
Throwing his head back, Giovanni released a loud, hearty laugh.
Pride spread through her veins and a smile tickled her lips. Spinning around on her high heels, Elise marched through the office with a pep in her step, hoping her desire for Giovanni wouldn’t get her into trouble—or cost her the best job she’d ever had.
Chapter 12
Extreme Sports Dome was located along a deserted gravel road on the outskirts of the city, but the brown brick building was packed with so many thrill-seekers, college students and couples, Elise couldn’t move without someone bumping into her. The venue was clean, the staff attentive, and the hip-hop music blaring on the sound system added to the lively atmosphere.
