Walk on the Wild Side

by Donna Kauffman

  Wander the festival with Nick.

  Two of Andrea’s little ones ran screaming into the room, and Andrea efficiently steered them to the small living room. “Let me go bind these two in a chair. I’ll be right back.” The squeals reached a deafening pitch. “Bind and gag.”

  Sunny smiled, but her mind was still on Nick. Having his entire family underfoot had made her new relationship with him tricky. No matter how discreet she and Nick were, his family somehow gleaned every last detail. Nick laughed it all off. Sunny didn’t find it that easy, but she was getting there. He might have been prepared, but Sunny had sorely underestimated their aptitude for pushing. And shoving. And downright dragging.

  She had long since given up trying to make them understand that this relationship was merely a fun, noncommittal type thing. Operation Matrimony had kicked into high gear the instant the two of them left the wedding reception together. She tried not to think too much about what Nick would be left to deal with once she was gone. Mostly because she didn’t want to think about leaving.

  “So, your thirty days of probation are up as of today, huh?” Andrea came into the room and plopped on the bed.

  Sunny craned her neck and looked past Andrea into the living room. “It’s awfully quiet in there. Did you really gag them?” She was only partly kidding. She was in total awe of the D’Angelo sisters’ ability to deal with so many kids. All at the same time.

  Andrea smiled smugly. “Jell-O. It’s basically the same thing.”

  “I didn’t know I had any.”

  “You didn’t. So I stocked some in your lettuce drawer a few days ago.”

  “Of course,” Sunny said mildly. “Silly me, running low on Jell-O. What was I thinking?”

  “I know.” Andrea laughed. “I promise to come back with cleanser and ice picks to clean up the mess later.”

  Sunny didn’t even blink. Another revelation of living with the D’Angelos. Mess happened. A lot. She’d learned to get way over the everything-in-its-place, white-glove-clean routine. Truthfully, that had been one of her easiest adjustments. Who knew being a slob was so much more fun?

  “Mama Bennie says you’re staying.” Andrea eyed her closely.

  Sunny realized answering this was tantamount to shouting it from the rooftop. Everyone would know her decision inside the hour. But they’d find out soon enough. She’d already told Nick.

  “I knew you wouldn’t be able to walk away.”

  Sunny snorted. Snorted. A new noise for her, very unladylike. She liked it a lot. “Yeah, me and Carlo have a secret thing going.” She clasped a hand dramatically to her chest. “I just couldn’t leave him. He begged me to stay.”

  Andrea laughed. “Uh-huh. I knew that was the real reason. Nick will be shattered.”

  Sunny laughed, too, but went on. “Actually, I spent a long couple of nights trying to decide if I shouldn’t leave D’Angelos and get a different job in the neighborhood.”

  Andrea looked both hurt and insulted.

  Sunny hurried to explain. “It was because I didn’t think it was appropriate to be having a relationship with the boss—no matter how casual,” she felt compelled to add, for what good it would do. She continued over Andrea’s objections. “I know, I know, but it was something I had to think about.”

  “Obviously Nick helped you to understand how ridiculous you were being. For goodness’ sake, this is a family business. We all work with loved ones.”

  Sunny wisely didn’t respond to that specifically. Love. It wasn’t something she could even consider where Nick was concerned.

  There was a loud shriek from the kitchen, and both women dashed out of the bedroom, reaching the small dining area in time to watch Callie and Anthony finish smearing blue gelatinous goo all over the Formica table.

  Andrea didn’t even bat an eye. She cleaned their faces and hands in an efficient and downright miraculous fashion and scooted them down the stairs. “Go find Uncle Nicco. We’ll be down in a minute.”

  Sunny crouched for the obligatory sticky-lipped kisses and thank-yous, smiling after them as they left. “You really are amazing with them, Andrea. I hope I’ll be half the mom you are.”

  Andrea’s eyes shot wide, and Sunny all but leaped to stop the assumption she saw dawning in her friend’s eyes.

  “No! Don’t even think it. I was just dreaming in that vague someday kind of way. Don’t you even start this on me, Andrea. Promise.”

  “Okay.” But the gleam in her lovely dark eyes had Sunny swallowing a groan. “Have you always wanted kids?”

  Sunny eyed her. She seemed sincere. Still, she wagged a finger. “I’m not having this conversation if it will bring that neonatal gleam back to your eyes.”

  Andrea’s eyebrows lifted in a “who, me?” way that didn’t fool Sunny for a second.

  “I was just wondering,” Andrea said, all innocence. “Are you expected to breed the next generation of Chandlers, being the last of the line, so to speak?”

  “Oh, I’m sure that’s in the grand plan. My grandmother is probably more interested in that aspect, being the sole arbiter of all things regarding the Chandler heritage. Grandfather’s dreams are mostly centered around me running the business. I suppose the family and two-point-three children will be added in as a codicil or something at some point.”

  Andrea’s smile fell. “I’m sorry, Sunny. I shouldn’t have teased you about it.”

  “It’s okay.” She touched Andrea’s arm. “Really. Actually, I never gave a great deal of thought to having my own kids. I’ve never really been around any.”

  “I’m surprised after being subjected to ours you haven’t made the appointment to have your tubes tied already.”

  Sunny smacked at her arm. “Actually—and do not take this the wrong way—it’s being around all of you that has made me think about it. I’m not sure what kind of mother I’d make. And I can’t say as I’m thrilled with bringing kids into the world of Chandler Enterprises, et al.” She shrugged, suddenly wishing she’d left this conversation alone.

  “So, you aren’t staying, then. Not permanently.”

  Sunny lifted her gaze and caught Andrea’s solemn one. “That was never in the cards, you know that.”

  “Things can change, Sunny.”

  She took Andrea by the shoulders and pulled her in close for a hug. “Your friendship has come to mean the world to me. And no matter what I do or where I go, I don’t plan on losing it, okay?”

  “Okay. But—”

  “But there is a lot that I just can’t explain.”

  Andrea opened her mouth as if to argue, then shut it again and nodded. “We won’t spoil this day with talk about the future, okay?”

  Immensely relieved, Sunny smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”

  But Andrea’s charm surfaced quickly, and she winked as she sauntered to the front door. “Besides, life has a way of changing things when you least expect it to. Nothing is over till it’s over.”

  “I give up,” Sunny muttered, much to Andrea’s delight.

  As she followed her down the stairs, Sunny thought about the talk she and Nick had about why she’d stayed on. True to his word, he did know how to play. He’d taken her out for an afternoon of exhilarating off-road fun, which had led to other avenues of fun…and given her a whole new meaning for the phrase recreational vehicles. She smiled at the memory, then thought about the talk that had followed. It had lasted long into the night, and Nick had helped her make her decision to stay. His arguments had pretty much echoed Andrea’s. She’d wanted to stay, to spend as much time with Nick as possible, for as long as possible. So, since no one else had a moral problem with her working for him, she wouldn’t, either.

  But Nick had been wonderful in respecting her request that they keep business time purely business. He’d made certain that they had plenty of nonbusiness playtime. Some of that time had even been spent outside his bedroom. And his truck.

  Long lazy lunches, strolling through the various parks, walking the city streets.
Nick knew an amazing amount of information about this city they’d both grown up in. She’d loved every second she spent with him.

  She pressed a hand to her stomach to quell the butterflies that stirred there. Today was important. Even though Nick’s family knew they were seeing each other, they’d never been openly together with his family. That would change today. Nick didn’t seem at all concerned about the consequences of going public with their relationship in such a big way.

  It seemed monumental to her. Everyone in the neighborhood would see them together. It would make leaving that much harder. And yet, she’d agreed with him that it was silly to try to hide the fact they were seeing each other. Neither had anything to hide or be ashamed about.

  For now, she was right where she wanted to be, and that was what she was going to focus on—nothing else. She was happy. Truly, wonderfully happy. That was enough. More than she’d ever had before.

  Andrea scooped up the purse she’d left in Nick’s office and gave her hair one last pat in the tiny mirror on the back of the door. “I still say you should have invited your family today. It would be the best chance for them to meet everyone. And don’t give me that look.”

  “What happened to let’s not spoil today, hmm?”

  As usual, Andrea ignored her, but her expression was laced with such affection Sunny couldn’t be mad at her. Even when they annoyed her, she loved them. Maybe that was what family was really all about.

  “You underestimate this neighborhood,” Andrea said. “We’d treat your family with respect…and show them how to have a great time.”

  “Trust me, it’s for the best this way.” She’d tried, but there was no way to explain it to Andrea. Nick’s family refused to believe that when push came to shove, every family wouldn’t stand up for its own. Sunny knew better. The deafening silence from Haddon Hall this past month confirmed it. She’d have to deal with her grandparents at some point, but if they were content to let Carl continue his routine driving by as their sole means of communication, then so be it.

  She felt a pang of sorrow. Nick’s family was so close, it made it hard to acknowledge she couldn’t turn to her own family for advice, or invite them to an event that meant something to her.

  Andrea stopped her before they left the office. All the teasing was gone from her rich, dark eyes. “I know you don’t want me to talk about your future with Nick.”

  “Andrea—”

  “I have to say this. I’ve never seen him like this with anyone, Sunny. I just wanted you to know that. This is serious for him.”

  Sunny shook her head. “It’s only been a week, Andrea.”

  “A month. But time is meaningless in these things. Sometimes you just know.”

  Sunny refused to let herself think about that.

  “I know you worry because he’s been very vocal about commitment and his phobia to it, but he’s the most dedicated—”

  “It’s not about commitment, Andrea, or a lack of one. It’s…it’s too complicated to explain right now.”

  “Well, I’ve given you plenty of chances to explain all these complicated things you know.”

  Sunny blew out a sigh. “I know. Maybe I just don’t want to analyze it. We’ve decided to spend some time together. Why can’t that be enough for now?”

  Andrea laughed. “Because we’re Italian and D’Angelos. There’s no such thing as enough.” She rubbed Sunny’s arm. “But I promise to lighten up. At least for today.” At Sunny’s look, she smiled. “Okay, so I’ll try to shut up for at least an hour. It’s not in my nature to stand by and let people ruin their lives.” She stepped into the hall, then looked over her shoulder. “Besides, you’ll be too busy fending off the entire rest of the neighborhood. Give me a chance to step back and plot new strategies.”

  Sunny had to laugh. It was that or cry.

  Andrea came back and grabbed her face, kissing first one cheek, then the other. “We love you, Sunny. You’ve already become like family to us. We just want to see you happy. Nick, too.”

  Sunny’s heart warmed. “I know, Andrea,” she said softly. “I know. You can’t know how much all of you have come to mean to me.”

  Grinning, Andrea nodded, then held Sunny at arm’s length. “Let’s go feed some people, then tonight, we dance!”

  Sunny was laughing as Andrea wandered to the front of the restaurant to track down her children, singing some Italian aria at the top of her lungs.

  NICK WATCHED as Marina’s kids grabbed Sunny and dragged her into another round of line dancing. It was almost midnight, and the revelry was still in high gear. He and Sunny had long since ended their shift working the food concession, but he’d hardly had a moment of time alone with her.

  He should be frustrated, and a part of him was. He yearned to have her in his arms, with music filling the hot summer night air. But there was still time for that.

  In the meantime, he had been very entertained just watching her enjoy her first street festival.

  First street festival? Implying there would be others?

  He veered away from that, and from wondering about the future at all. He’d found himself doing that an alarming number of times. Daily. He blamed it on his family and their incessant hounding over his new relationship with Sunny. He’d known it would be bad, but he hadn’t counted on their pushing affecting him like this, making him think about what life would be like if Sunny stayed.

  His eyes never strayed from her, not for a moment. Even as she wove in and out of the crowd, changing partners, laughing as she went. She had captivated him, of that there was no doubt. His family adored her. She adored them. It was clear in every look, every gesture.

  He adored her. Or something very much like it.

  Which meant what? She’d made it clear he was a fling, a wild and exciting adventure. But one that would end when Rapunzel had to return to her isolated tower. He was increasingly frustrated at the idea that she wouldn’t consider not returning. Her grandparents hadn’t made a single effort to contact her, as far as he knew. She’d decided to spread her wings, and they’d abandoned her. To him, this meant she’d done the right thing in trying to please herself first, then decide if she should please them. Or try. He had a feeling they weren’t easily pleased, and that she’d give her life to the ordeal…and lose herself in the process.

  She spun out of the dance and sat between two of his sisters, grabbing a cold beer. This was the real Sunny. The woman reveling in being out and alive in the world. He had to convince her this was where she belonged.

  And if eventually they figured out that they also belonged together…well, that prospect was becoming less and less terrifying every day.

  “Enough,” he muttered, and stood. He made his way through the crowd until he was in front of her.

  “You’re too late,” Rachel told him. “Her dance card was not only filled, it wilted and fell apart.” She laughed, and everyone around her joined in. “Next time you need to be more on the ball.”

  Nick tried to smile, but there was this sense of urgency, and he didn’t have time for banter. He needed to feel Sunny in his arms, needed to calm the whirl of emotions that had been swamping him all night. Shut it all out…and just concentrate on her.

  He said a silent blessing when the band read his mind and shifted to a slow, bluesy song. He held out his hand. “Do you have one more dance in you?”

  She nodded and rose, the smile on her face, and in her eyes a promise that sent his entire bloodstream on a sizzling ride.

  His family and friends were immediately forgotten the moment she was in his arms. In fact, his world consisted of the slow rhythm pulsing around them…and the woman swaying to it.

  “Sunny.” It was all he managed to say before a groan of pleasure escaped him as she stepped closer to him. He wrapped her in his arms, and she rested her cheek on his shoulder. He pressed his lips to the soft spot beneath her ear. “I’ve been aching to have you like this all night.”

  “Why’d you wait?” she murmure
d.

  “Because this will be the last dance for either of us tonight.” He held her tightly against his hips, relishing the way she tightened her arms around his neck and kept her hips pressed to his. “I wanted you to enjoy the festival first. Because I knew the moment I got my hands on you, I wouldn’t take them off again until you were hot and naked beneath me.”

  She groaned and kissed his neck. “Then we’d better dance our way to your car now, or I’m liable to embarrass myself in front of everyone you’ve ever known.”

  Grinning, Nick barely restrained himself from scooping her up in his arms and carting her off. He whispered that in her ear, and her eyes widened.

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Oh, now you’re all but daring me.”

  “I’m doing no such thing. I can walk to your car just fine.”

  “But think how much more romantic it would look if I swept you off your feet.”

  “Since when are you interested in being romantic?”

  “Ouch?”

  “You know what I mean. Romantic public displays. You know what your family would do.”

  He turned her face toward his. Her smile faded, but her eyes glistened. “I’m beginning to not really care about the pressure from my family. I’m feeling some pressure of my own.”

  “Yeah, I can feel that.”

  He groaned. “Yeah, well, that, too. But I wasn’t referring to that.”

  Their dancing slowed almost to a stop as she stared into his eyes. “What are you saying, Nick?”

  He stood there, under the lights, feeling the gaze of almost everyone in the crowd on him. None of it mattered. His whole world was in front of him, waiting for an answer.

  A thousand thoughts poured through his mind. Did he tell her what was in his heart? Even if he wasn’t all too sure yet how he felt about it? Should he wait? Come to terms with it first? Or should they figure it out together?