He kissed her, just to the left of her mouth. “Don’t want to smudge the lipstick.” When he straightened, he looked her over slowly. “I do love this dress. And the hair and makeup. Absolutely perfect. So beautiful and sexy.”
“Thank you.” He was better than a tube of lipstick. “And thank you again for the bulbs. Very thoughtful.”
“I’m sorry again about today. Let’s go stuff our faces with dim sum. That’s part one of my forgiveness plan.” He held his elbow out for her to take as she slid into her shoes and they left.
Carmella settled in, watching him as he drove. That night he chose the ’67 Mercury Cougar. Most likely because he knew she loved it. The traffic was heavy so he wore a look of fierce concentration. He rarely got impatient, so his intensity was of a different sort.
“I called home last week.”
“Is everything all right? You told them about the hotel information, right?” She’d wanted so much for his family to come and be truly happy for Duke’s success. He deserved their support. So she’d gone out of her way to set them up at the Inn at the Market and to take care of a bunch of other small details that she hoped kept them happy and ready to heap some praise on their son.
“I told my mom about you.”
Oh. She hadn’t been expecting that.
“What did she say?”
“She said she was glad I found someone because she was beginning to wonder about me and Asa.”
That would be so hot. Like uber hotter than fire hot to see the two of them going at one another.
“As much as my mind is totally happy to go there with you and Asa, I’m glad you like me better when it comes to where to put your penis.”
He burst out laughing. “I hate when you’re mad at me. I don’t laugh nearly as much.”
“It was like four and a half hours of your life, Duke. You’re spoiled, that’s your problem.”
“One of many. But I sure do like it when you’re doing the spoiling. I did tell them about the hotel reservations. She was very appreciative of the itinerary you’d set up for them. That’s how I brought up that you and I were together.”
“Oh, lovely. You can’t tell me she didn’t look sideways at the fact that I’m your employee.”
“She’s a mom, it’s her job. But she honestly sounded pleased and said she wanted to meet you. I think you’ll like her well enough to see her once a year or so. And how can they not like you?”
“Lots of people manage that just fine.”
“Lots of people are dumb. We established that. Anyway, when they arrive, will you come and have dinner with us? My sister and her family are coming up Friday afternoon after her kids are out of school. The grand opening is at eight. But I thought a dinner with me, you, and my parents when they get in Thursday night would be good.”
She’d never in the entire time she’d dated, even when she’d been married, had dinner with the guy’s family. She knew people did. Craig used to go to his ex-girlfriend’s house to have dinner with her family regularly.
She wanted them to see her as worthy of their son. Even though they needed to see him as worthy first and foremost.
“Do you think it’ll be too much? Like maybe you guys should be together alone to catch up and then we can all do brunch on Saturday with your sister’s family, your brother, and your parents.” That would be way more crowded and less prone to awkward moments of silence.
“Too much for who? My parents? No way. My dad is a meat-and-potatoes guy and the Met is an old-school steakhouse. My parents would like it. It’s in downtown so not too far from here and near their hotel. I just wanted to make sure you like it too before I made reservations.”
Carmella said, “I love steak. I can handle the reservations if you like.”
“Nope. I can do it.” He was quiet awhile as they crossed I-90 heading to Bellevue.
“There’s something else,” she said to him. “You don’t have to share it until you’re ready. Or even with me. But keeping secrets is hard on your heart.”
“You should know, huh?” It wasn’t a mean or cutting thing to say. He hadn’t meant it like that.
“Something like that. I only know I like you too much to want you carrying around something you should share.”
“You tell me something.”
“Like tit for tat? Because I have to tell you, I’ve sort of vomited up enough gross details of my life for you lately. My boobs can compensate for only so much truth about my life.”
He snorted. “Nothing about you is gross. Especially not your boobs. It doesn’t have to be something bad, or sad. What makes you happy?”
“You do,” she admitted. “Ginger. Music. Coffee.”
“How’d you find that dog?”
“Clifton brought her home. He’d been gone for three days so he thought he could deflect with a cute animal. I’m quite sure he stole her from someone, but he denied it, saying there were kids out front of a grocery store with a box of puppies. She was so tiny and sweet. When she wagged her tail, her whole body would skid back and forth. I looked around for two weeks because I couldn’t really love her until I was sure I’d done whatever I could to reunite her with an owner. But obviously I didn’t and I loved her and she became my little protector. The best thing about my time with Clifton.” She laughed.
“Of course you tried to find out if she had a home.”
“She was so adorable. You have no idea. But she wasn’t a stray. Her coat was glossy. She had a fat little puppy belly. I wanted to pretend she was all mine to love, but I just thought about some little girl with a lost doggie and I had to try. Maybe he did get her at the grocery store. But she’s been mine ever since.”
“It does gladden my heart every time I see her little face and that floppy ear.”
“She adores you. And not just for the bones. She used to look out the front window at you when you and your friends were in your driveway. She’s a hussy like her human, I guess.”
“She’s like my dog too, by proxy. Cool. I haven’t had a dog before. Just another thing you brought me. You make me happy, Carmella. You make me feel lighter and yet heavier at the same time. I love you.”
The first few times he’d told her he loved her, she’d had to fight back panic. She wanted so badly to believe it. To believe a man like Duke could love a woman like her. But the fear and dread that it would wear off, or that it was a shallow love and he just didn’t know it, swamped her.
He didn’t shout it out every time he saw her or anything. But he’d seemed to find it easier to say and she’d found it easier to hear and maybe even accept.
“Hearing that makes me really happy. So you can add that to the things that make me happy list. Along with men who bring me bulbs instead of flowers.”
Duke loved her in that dress. Loved that she’d worn it to delight him. Torture him too, if he hadn’t met her basic standard of behavior. And then she’d shared that story about Ginger and he’d realized that was another blessing of having her in his life.
They’d had so much dinner he could barely move. But they were in synch enough for him to realize that even when she’d been mad, their connection hadn’t really waned.
Something clicked into place as he climbed into bed that night, pulling her close, the dog snoring nearby in her bed. This was right. This would withstand a lifetime of stupid fights like the one they’d had earlier.
What he felt for her wasn’t transitory. It was real and solid and the piddly shit wasn’t going to rip it apart. She hadn’t told him she loved him back yet. But in everything she did and said, he heard it. And it was enough until she could say it out loud.
When she’d told him that day that he could and should be proud of the way he was with people, he realized she knew him—really knew him—better than people he’d known for years.
And like those few, close people he cared about what she thought. Wanted her to respect him. To see him as strong and forthright.
She made him want to be better.
He smiled ag
ainst the back of her neck and let himself fall.
He heard the front door close and lock as he realized she wasn’t in bed with him.
Duke stumbled to the front door, noting the dim, early morning light as he yanked on a pair of boxers before he ventured outside.
At the call of her name she turned and Ginger bounded back his way. At the sight of him on the porch in his shorts, Carmella rushed over, whispering at him to go inside.
“You’re going to give someone a heart attack looking so good and nearly naked on your front steps,” Carmella said as she came in.
“You didn’t wake me up. Where are you going?” He got close enough to catch her in his arms and back her against the nearest wall.
“Work,” she said, her voice gone breathy.
“You didn’t wake me up. I have to go in too. We could have showered together and then driven in at the same time. Lessened our carbon footprint and all that.”
She put her hands on his face to yank him down to where she was to kiss him. “It’s six. You don’t have to be up for another hour. I set your alarm for you.”
“Before you, no one took care of me like this. Thought of me the way you do. I’m getting used to it, but sometimes I forget.”
She blushed and he kissed her cheeks.
“Let’s play hooky today. Go to breakfast and hang out reading, napping, and having sex for the rest of the day,” he said.
She closed her eyes a moment. “Stop being a bad influence. As much as I’d love to do just that, you have too much to do. A client consult at one and another at three. You have multiple deliveries to make by the end of the month. The parts for the Chevelle should be arriving today so you can get that moving. And I do payroll today, which is why I’m going in early. If I can get things started before everyone shows up, the checks are signed and ready for everyone at three.”
He groaned, remembering just how full his plate was. “Fine. But I’m not planning on being at work past seven. You want to see the real bare-knuckles stuff?”
He realized she might not be comfortable and he nearly told her she didn’t have to if she wasn’t okay with it.
But when he noted her pupils were suddenly huge and her cheeks flushed, he got it. “Ah. If it makes you hot that I mix it up with people who’re there to mix it up, I’m all for you watching me mix it up.”
“Okay.”
He kissed her quickly, remembering he’d just woken up and hadn’t brushed his teeth. “I’ll see you at work soon.”
He watched her until she and Ginger drove away.
A few hours later she came to him as he stood in the middle the engine he and Mick had just disassembled. Sometimes it helped if he could spread it all out around him on a tarp and get a different way to view the problem.
He was distracted by the puzzle to be solved, but not so much he failed to appreciate the way she looked in nothing fancier than jeans and a pretty blue blouse.
And then he noted the expression on her face. “Carmella?”
“Duke, your mother is on the phone. She says it’s urgent.”
Nodding, he stepped over the parts, hurrying to the phone on the wall nearby.
“Hello?” He walked around the corner into a back hallway to get some quiet.
“Duke, it’s Danny. He’s in the hospital.”
“What happened? Is he all right?” Duke’s heart sped.
“He got into a car accident. He’s in emergency surgery right now.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll catch a flight as soon as I can.”
“Wait until we know what’s happening. There’s no use you rushing down here at this point. I just wanted to call you to fill you in,” his mother said. “Your sister is staying home until we get more information too.”
“She’s got two kids, a husband, and a job that’s far less flexible than mine. Of course there’s a reason for me to rush down there. My brother is in the hospital. You and Dad will need the help.”
“I know you’re busy with your work, Duke.”
“They’re just cars and there’s no reason I’d put them before my family.”
“I’ll have your father call you when Danny gets out of surgery.”
He spoke with her a little longer, and then once they hung up, he headed back out to where Mick and Carmella were talking.
“Everything all right?” Carmella asked.
“My brother got into a car accident. He’s in surgery now.”
“What airport do you want to fly into? I’ll make your flight reservations for you.” Carmella hadn’t asked what he was going to do. Unlike his mother, she’d known there was nothing else Duke wanted to do.
Still, he wasn’t sure they wanted him there. His mother had put him off to the point where he had second thoughts about rushing anywhere until he’d heard from his dad.
“Probably LAX. I’m waiting to hear back from my father before I decide for sure. Thank you.”
“Okay. I’ll transfer your calls to my office so you don’t miss anything. Unless you want to go home now.”
He wanted to hug her but Mick was standing nearby so he resisted. That’s when she hugged him instead.
With a sigh, he gave over to how good it felt. Let himself take comfort in the gesture meant to do just that.
“I’m here to help with whatever you need,” she told him before she went back to her office.
“Me too,” Mick said as Duke came back to that pile of parts.
“Appreciated. Let’s work awhile. I need to get as much as I can done if I do need to run down there.”
“We’ll hold it down up here. You know that. Do what you need to do,” Mick said.
Trouble was, he didn’t know what he needed to do. He knew what he wanted to do. But that wasn’t the same.
Carmella kept an eye on him as the morning progressed. He’d immersed himself in that engine and everyone had pretty much left him alone. Asa or Mick would pass by here and there, but no one bothered him for very long.
Their first client consult of the day was coming up so Carmella grabbed all the paperwork and slid it into a file folder before she took it over to Asa’s office.
She held it up once he’d waved her inside. “This is the paperwork for your upcoming consult.”
“I’ll look it over. Thanks.” He took her in with serious eyes. “Have his parents called yet?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I have the phone in my pocket, though, so it’ll ring right to me if I’m not in my office.” She was worried about Duke. About the way his features had gone so carefully blank when he’d said he wasn’t sure if he was going to fly down immediately.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing. The stuff between him and his family is complicated. Like most families, I guess.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing. So I’m glad my aimless wandering is working out.”
Asa’s snort made her smile.
“You’re not in his face, which he’d hate. But you’re there. That’s what he needs. I don’t normally give advice, that’s usually Duke’s gig. But without telling tales, for as long as I’ve known Duke, he’s gotten the backup he’s needed from us. From his friends. We’re going to get him through whatever happens with his brother. He’s maybe a little off balance right now because love fucks you up.” He gave her a quick grin that had her responding in kind. “And because he’s used to being needed and maybe they don’t see that in him so much. Because, and this is my biased opinion, they don’t see him at all. They don’t understand him.”
And Duke craved that. She knew him. He wanted people to see the best in him. Wanted people to see him as a man worthy of respect. And he was. Always there for the people he cared about. Including her.
Carmella nodded at Asa. He’d told her to be there for Duke because his family would most likely fail him. And that Duke had trouble being the one who needed help instead of the one who gave it. Which she already knew, but it was nice that she wasn’t the only one who saw to the heart of Duke Bradshaw. br />
“Thanks, Asa.”
He tipped his chin. “Can you remind him about ten minutes early? Mick will probably tell him, but you’re nicer to look at.”
And she wanted the chance to check in with him again anyway.
“Got it.” She headed out.
* * *
“Again my day gets better when I look up and see all my gorgeous right in front of me,” Duke said, meaning it. He looked at the clock on the wall. “Did my family call?”
“Not yet. Your meeting is at one. So if you clean up now, you can eat the lunch I have waiting for you in the break room before you go in. You haven’t eaten all day and you know how you get when your blood sugar drops.”
He grinned. “I do.” But she did too. How lucky he was. And it was exactly what he’d needed. “Will you take your lunch with me?”
“Of course. I like looking at you.” Her smile was prim and just for him.
“You must be worried about me,” he murmured as he passed by her on the way to clean up.
That made her laugh. “Why do you say that?”
“Openly flirting? We’re at work, Carmella. I know we’ve talked about that at least five dozen times.”
“I know. But just because you say words, Duke, doesn’t mean I agree with them,” she repeated back his usual response.
Though there were already six or seven people in the break room eating and talking, he saw her immediately and headed her way.
“I got you a cranberry juice. I made a turkey and Swiss and a roast beef and cheddar. I figured we could switch halves.”
He grabbed her gaze. “You made these this morning? While I was sleeping?”
She blushed, and despite his worry about his brother, the agitation and anxiety that had been clawing at him seemed to fall away. “You have all those groceries in your fridge, I figured you should use them.”
“Thank you for taking such good care of me.” He ate, listening more than he spoke, and Carmella filled the quiet, instinctively knowing he needed that.
By the time he needed to go to the client consult, he was recharged and far more focused.
“I’ll interrupt if anyone calls,” Carmella told him as she headed back to her office.