“Roast and veggies for later. Are you hungry now? We can walk down to the deli on the corner.”
“Yeah? You feel like getting out for a little bit?”
“I do.” I smile up at him. “There’s so much I want to show you.”
Chapter Twenty
Abby
Of all the places and things I’ve shown Luca in my adopted hometown, I’m the most nervous about this one. The Cypress Lane store in Manhattan is a flagship; it’s the one that fills me with the most awe when I stand in it.
“This was my second storefront, technically,” I say as we step inside. “But my first one wasn’t much. It was a small space at the front of the warehouse we were building the furniture in.”
Luca shakes his head and smiles at me. “This is absolutely incredible, Abby.”
The warmth of pride fills my chest as he looks around at the open, two-story building, the ceiling beams wrapped with reclaimed wood. Big ceiling fans shaped like vintage windmills all spin in time.
“Welcome to Cypress Lane, I’m—oh God! Hi. It’s you.” A nervous-looking employee gives me a giant grin, her cheeks reddening. “Hi. Sorry. I’m Maya.”
“Hi Maya, I’m Abby. And this is Luca.”
Maya pumps both our hands enthusiastically.
“I assume you don’t need me to show you anything?” she says, furrowing her brow. “But if you do, I totally can. I just finished training two weeks ago and I know the store top to bottom.”
“What’s your favorite piece?” I ask her. It’s my standard question to new employees to see if they actually like the products they’re selling.
“Oooh.” Maya’s eyes widen. “The Monroe bedroom collection. It’s such a perfect combination of modern and retro. Classic lines and well-built pieces that will stand the test of time.”
“Good.” I smile to let her know she passed the test.
“Can I get you guys some coffee or champagne while you’re browsing?”
“Champagne?” Luca arches his brows and winks at me. “Fancy.”
“I’ll take some coffee, thanks,” I say.
“I’m good,” Luca replies.
Maya leaves to get my drink and I lean in to Luca and softly say, “I mostly just want to make sure they’re serving good coffee.”
“I figured.” He kisses the top of my head. “You just had coffee at the café we went to.”
We’ve been busy today—walking around my neighborhood, getting butter brickle ice cream at a little place I love and shopping at a couple small boutiques. This is our final stop for the day.
I sit down on a gray leather sofa and Luca sits down on a patterned armchair across from me.
“What made you pick the name Cypress Lane?” he asks.
“It’s the name of the street I grew up on.”
“Nice. Did your parents like that?”
“I lost my mom when I was fifteen and my dad when I was twenty-one.”
“Damn, I’m sorry.”
I shrug. “Thanks. It’s been a long time. I know they would have both loved to see Cypress Lane, though. My dad used to build furniture. He had a workshop behind our house.”
“They’d be really proud of you.”
“Thank you.”
Maya brings me the coffee and I take a sip. It’s hot, fresh and just the right strength. I nod my approval.
“You want to give me a grand tour?” Luca asks me.
I wave a hand. “It’s all furniture. You don’t have to look at everything.”
His eyes sparkle with amusement. “It’s your furniture, though. Maybe I want to look at it.”
“Do you, though?”
“I do need a new couch for my office. Help me pick one out and then we can catch an Uber back to your place and eat.”
“Deal.” I stand up. How much space do you have in your office?”
“Plenty for a regular shaped couch. I can’t have a big sectional in there or anything.”
“Hmm…” I look around the showroom. “Colors in the office?”
“Cherry wood floors and light gray walls.”
I wind my way through the showroom, pointing out a few couches I would recommend.
“This is a newer one. I have this one in my office and I love it.” I lead him to a navy leather sofa and gesture toward it. “Simple lines and very comfortable.”
“Yeah, that’s perfect.” He grins at me. “Sold.”
I smile back. “Just give your address to Maya before we leave and I’ll have one delivered to you.”
“I’m gonna pay for it.”
I shake my head adamantly. “It’s a gift.”
“No, I wanted you to help me find a couch to buy, babe. Not just give one to me.”
“Don’t be so stubborn. I’m sending you a couch.”
“Abby—”
A guy next to Luca gives him a puzzled look. “Yo, if you don’t want it, I’ll take it.”
“He wants it,” I say, waving Maya over.
When Maya reaches us, I ask her to take down Luca’s address and arrange for the delivery. I love knowing he’ll have a Cypress Lane piece in his home.
“Do you need anything else?” I ask Luca.
He gives me a wry smile. “No.”
He gives Maya his address and we leave the store.
“Uber or walk?” I ask, looking up at him as I link my arm through his.
“I say Uber. I’m too hungry to wait.”
He orders a ride with his phone and we chat with the driver on our way back to my place. Once we get there, Luca follows me into the kitchen. I see him taking in the white cabinets, marble counters and warm wood floors.
“I hope you like beef stew,” I say. “It’s kind of a cross between pot roast and stew.”
“I love it.”
He approaches me from behind as I take the lid off the slow cooker to check on the food. When he puts his arms around me, I jump a little but then settle back against him.
“Thanks for coming,” I say softly.
“Nowhere else I’d rather be right now,” he says in my ear.
“The past three years have gone by so slowly. But when I’m with you, I can just be, and I’m not used to that. I’m used to keeping myself distracted all the time.”
He moves to stand against the kitchen counter so we’re eye to eye as we talk. “Will you tell me about Chloe?”
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips. I reach into a cabinet for a couple wide, shallow bowls thinking of my daughter’s bright smile and infectious laugh.
“When we sit down to eat, I will.”
I dish up two bowls of stew and get us both a glass of ice water. Luca sets the table and when we sit across from each other at the round glass table in my breakfast nook, the food is still steaming.
“Thanks for cooking,” Luca says. “I don’t get many home cooked meals I didn’t cook myself.”
“No problem. I hope you like it.”
I look down at my bowl and push chunks of beef, carrots and potatoes around with my fork.
“Chloe was my everything,” I say softly. “Tim was an accountant, and he worked a lot. Chloe and I went to the park, finger painted, played dress up. She was like the sun in my world. From the time we woke up in the morning, she’d just shine. She was almost always happy. Loved animals, even possums and snakes and rats. Chloe had a love for every living creature.”
I smile at Luca, tears pooling in my eyes. “What do you do when your sun goes dark? How do you make a life without warmth and light?”
Luca reaches across the table and takes my hand, squeezing it. I squeeze back, letting the tears spill onto my cheeks.
“The foundation gave money to a wildlife preserve once,” I say, still pushing the food around with my fork. “Chloe would’ve loved that.”
“How much has the foundation given?”
“Around fifteen million.”
Luca gives me a tender look. “All because of Chloe. And you.”
“It’s my therapy,” I say. “Ever
y time the board votes to authorize a donation, I think of Chloe and it doesn’t hurt. I remember the good times.”
“Sounds like there were a lot of good times.”
I sigh softly. “There was. But there are also nightmares, and when I sleep too much and have them, it’s like losing her all over again.”
“Abby, you’re a warrior in every way, but even warriors need to rest,” he says. “When you want to talk about her, or not talk about her, you can with me okay? Anytime.”
“Thanks.”
His offer means more than he can possibly know. My love for Chloe didn’t die with her, and even though thoughts of her can be painful, I don’t want to forget.
Luca takes his first bite of dinner, and his groan of pleasure makes me smile.
“This is really good,” he says.
“Good. I’m kind of a meat and potatoes girl, so these are the meals I love to make.”
“Perfect, because these are the meals I love to eat.”
We finish eating and wash the dishes together, with him washing and me drying. It feels right to be here with him, like we’ve done it a hundred times and are comfortable with each other.
“What now?” I ask as he dries his hands on a towel.
He sets the towel down and puts his hands on my hips, pulling me in at the same time he leans down. When he puts his lips on mine, I melt into him, sighing softly into his mouth.
I’ve missed the taste and feel of him. And for a while, I wasn’t sure he’d ever kiss me again. So this time, it’s charged with something more. We aren’t tearing at each other’s clothes like we often do when we meet up for a night. This time, we’re kissing each other like we have all the time in the world.
I take his hand and lead him back to my bedroom, where I slowly undress myself. Luca sits down on the edge of the bed and stares, eyes unblinking.
When I walk over and straddle his legs, he pulls me against him so we’re chest to chest, my thighs nestled around his hips.
“I’ve missed you,” I say.
“I’ve missed you, too.” His husky voice is warm against my lips.
I tug his t-shirt up and off, closing my eyes as I press my bare chest against his. He wraps his big arms around me tightly, tracing a fingertip down my spine and sending a delicious shiver in its wake.
“I’m on birth control,” I say. “We don’t have to use condoms unless you want to.”
“No, let’s not.”
He leans back slightly and cups my face, kissing me. The tenderness of it brings tears to my eyes, making me sniffle. Luca brushes the tears away with the pad of his thumb.
“I feel it, too,” he says in a low tone.
I swallow hard, overcome with emotion. No one’s ever made me feel like he does. Like no matter what I do or say, it’s not only acceptable, it’s just right. I’m not a grieving, broken woman in his eyes. I’m just me, fighting like hell to make my own light in a world that went dark.
Luca stands, picking me up and turning around to lay me back on the bed. I watch as he unbuttons his pants and slides them off, pulling his boxers down, too.
His body is a symphony in which every note is hit to perfection, but my gaze roams upward to what really matters. Luca’s blue eyes shine with emotion as he climbs on top of me, his lips brushing over my neck.
I part my legs, not needing foreplay this time. What I need is to find that place where we become one for a few beautiful moments. Luca lights me up with more passion and hope than I ever thought I’d feel again.
I tilt my hips up as he slides himself inside me, our groans becoming breathless as he rocks his body into mine over and over. We both peak quickly, Luca’s whole body tensing as he comes inside me.
“I’m sorry,” he says sheepishly. “It’s been a really long time since I haven’t worn a condom.”
“Don’t apologize.” I kiss him softly. “I came fast myself, and I have no excuse.”
I make a quick trip to the bathroom and then we snuggle close, the room darkening as sunset approaches.
“How long have the kids been with you?” I ask, my cheek on his chest.
“It’s been almost a year and a half since their mom died. It was cancer. And a year before that, my brother Matt was killed in action in Afghanistan.”
“Oh, Luca. How terrible. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. I see a lot of him in his children, especially his oldest girl Cora.”
“Is she brave?”
He pauses. “In her own way. She has a lot of anxiety, but she’s a fighter, too.”
“I can understand that, given what she’s been through.” I trace my fingertip over the lines of his chest. “And the middle one is a boy?”
“Jack. Cora’s ten and he’s eight. Jack’s a lot like I was as a kid. Laid back. Happy. Likes to play sports.”
“And the youngest is Emerson.” My heart tugs at the memory of the little girl with brown curls.
“Yep, she turned six recently. She’s my sweetheart. She’s got lots of energy and wants to be a pro hockey player. With a rainbow-colored uniform.”
I laugh softly. “You’re a good man, Luca Campbell.”
“I’m glad you think so. I try to be everything I can to them, but I can’t replace their parents.”
“It sounds like you’re doing great.”
After a few seconds of silence, he says, “At first I didn’t think it was fair for me to have a relationship. I figured every minute needed to go to the kids and hockey.”
“What changed your mind?”
“You.” He pulls me closer. “I don’t have as much time for dating as most guys, but I want to find a way for us to work. I’m a better man with you in my life.”
I swallow hard, emotion welling in my throat once again.
“You make me better, too, Luca. And happier. I want to find a way, too.”
“Then we will.” He kisses the top of my head. “We’ll figure it out as we go.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Luca
Abby: Busy day at the office. But good news! I’m coming to Chicago this afternoon.
Abby’s text makes me smile. I’ve only been home from New York for three days, and I already miss her like crazy.
Me: Great. I may be able to get away one night if I can get a sitter. Sheila’s on vacation with her sons.
Abby: It would be great to see you.
Me: How’d that meeting go, the one you were stressed about?
Abby: Better than expected.
Me: Good.
Abby: Have to go, my board meeting starts in five min. Call me tonight?
Me: Will do, have a good afternoon, babe.
Abby: You too.
I do a quick visual check of the pool the kids and I are swimming in at the clubhouse for our subdivision. I locate Cora and Jack and then turn to Emerson, who’s eating a popsicle next to me.
“Want some?” She offers me the melting red ice pop, half of which seems to be on her face and hand.
“Nah, I’m good, but thanks.” I grin at her.
“Can I ride on your back in the deep end again?”
“Sure, peanut.”
“Nathan Hobbs said I won’t be good at hockey ‘cause I’m a girl.”
I narrow my eyes at that. “What’d you say back?”
“I told him I’ve got hockey in my GNA.”
I let out a loud laugh. “It’s DNA.”
She shrugs. “Can we swim?”
“Get rid of the popsicle first.”
Emerson pulls the last icy chunk from the stick and pops it into her mouth, then takes the stick to a nearby trash can and tosses it in.
I take her to the deep end of the pool on my back and watch Jack and Cora go down the slide about a hundred times. The kids never get tired of this place, and we end up staying all afternoon. Even at 5:00 p.m., I have to force them to go.
“We can just have dinner here,” Jack says. “They have hot dogs.”
“Nope. Our meal delivery box came t
his afternoon, so we’re cooking something at home.”
“Not that spinach stuff again, right?” Cora asks.
“I don’t think so.”
“That was disgusting.”
“Yeah, you guys mentioned that about eighty-five times the night I made it.”
We all load into my SUV and Emerson is asleep before I drive out of the parking lot. Cora and Jack are fading by the time I pull into the garage. I carry Emerson in the house and lay her on a couch in the living room, pulling a blanket over her even though she still feels warm from the day in the sun. Cora and Jack disappear to their bedrooms, probably to lie down.
I sit down on the couch across from the one Emerson’s on, checking my phone for the first time in several hours. There’s a message from Abby.
Abby: Made it to Chicago. I think it’s even hotter here than in NYC. How was the pool?
Me: It was good but we’re all beat. Okay if I call soon?
While I wait for her response, I check the voicemail my mom left me. As soon as her voice comes on the line, my stomach drops.
“Luca, it’s Mom. Your dad and I are in Venice…Venice, Italy, not Florida, and he had a heart attack. He’s in surgery now. I don’t even understand what the people here are saying and I’m so worried. I’ll call you when I know more.”
Shit. I close my eyes, reeling at the thought of my dad lying powerless in a hospital bed. He’s always been strong and steady. I’ve never seen him break down, except when Matt died. My brother’s death is still an open wound for me. I can’t lose my dad, too.
And it’s even worse that my parents are in another country right now, dealing with Dad’s health emergency. I text my mom to let her know I’m on my way. I have to get to them. If I didn’t have the kids to think of, I’d be on my way to the airport right now, and I’d have a seat on the next flight, no matter what it cost me.
I could take the kids with me; they’re on summer break. But, I don’t know what kind of shape my dad will be in when I get there, and it could be too much for the kids. He might not even make it. The thought makes me sigh heavily and bury my head in my hands.
I’m about to dial Sheila to come watch the kids when I remember she’s vacationing with her sons. My heart rate speeds up as I realize I might not have a solution.
Luca: A Chicago Blaze Romance Page 12
