“But Justin just happened to forget to mention to his parents that you guys are broken up? How convenient.”
With my free hand, I caress his beard, and I don’t miss how he leans into my touch slightly. For such a big guy, he really is a mush.
“I know. But it was right before Christmas, so I can see how he didn’t want his holiday to turn into an inquisition about the breakup.”
“And after?” he challenges.
“Well, after, he said that he knew the dinner was coming up, and since I planned it and all, he didn’t want to ruin it by telling his parents, who are celebrating a big anniversary, that the girlfriend who planned it also happened to dump him before the holidays.” I wince, knowing that the argument is weak at best.
“Nikki, you booked a reservation and asked the restaurant to add their gratuitous anniversary décor and menus. Hardly a reason to make your presence mandatory.” He levels his glare at me.
And for the first time since we’ve been intimate, I feel like I’m facing the old Antonio. I desperately hope that I’m not hurting us by agreeing to this small favor.
My eyes plead with him as I say, “Two hours. Three, tops.” I hold my hand up as he opens his mouth to speak. “I know it’s not my responsibility to show up for an ex-boyfriend. And trust me, if the tables were turned, I would probably be going batshit if you suggested doing the same for an old flame.”
“Then why, Nikki? Why must you do this? Why do you need to be there for him?” he asks, his voice sounding pained.
I take a deep breath and look down at my lap. “Because I feel guilty,” I start. “What I did to him is what I’ve always feared. Giving yourself to a person, only to set off a domino effect of losing multiple things in the process.” I sigh. “He lost a relationship, an apartment, our routines, our friend group, which includes Amelia…” I finally get the courage to look up at him, only to find him clenching his jaw. Might as well keep going at this rate. “And I also feel guilty, because he will never be you.”
His gaze snaps to mine. “What do you mean?”
I shake my head. “Don’t you see? I feel guilty because I’m happy. Stupidly happy. And even though there is a code you must abide by that means you have to hate every single one of my exes, I feel guilty because no matter how hard they tried, no matter how hard I faked it, none of them could ever hold a candle to you. All their efforts were in vain, because at the end of the day, I always belonged to you. Even if my boneheaded self didn’t realize it at the time.”
He pulls me onto his lap and ravishes me with his kiss. Within moments, I’m breathless and cursing the period gods for picking today of all days to grace me with their presence.
Tony pulls back far enough to look me in the eye. “Two hours.Maximum. And don’t you dare try to push it, Nikki. Because I damn well don’t mind making a scene and dragging you out by your chair if you’re a minute late walking out those restaurant doors.”
I smile up at him as he continues. “I have more stipulations. You make it crystal clear that this is the one and only time you will bail him out with his parents. And while you’re at it, let him know that you already have someone else you come home to, becausethis, Nikki, is your home, for as long as you want it to be.”
“You’re my home.” I kiss him softly.
“Damn right. And you’remine.” His chest rumbles with contained frustration.
Now that I got that major obstacle out of the way, I’m feelingplentygenerous. Just because I refuse to let him go anywhere below the belt tonight doesn’t mean I don’t want him any less. Especially in those gray fucking sweatpants.
Tony must be able to hear my train of thought, because he catches on to the way my hand drifts south of his chest.
He unfurls a predatory smile and leans back on the couch. “But just in case you need a reminder, why don’t you go ahead and get on your knees and show me, mi amor.”
You don’t have to tell me twice.
* * *
Men. Such simple creatures.
Tony may still be uncomfortable with the idea of me having dinner with Justin and his family, but given the tune he’s whistling in the kitchen, I think we’re going to be just fine.
The blow job definitely lessened the blow. Pun intended.
But now it’s time to talk about the other most important person in our lives. Amelia.
Amelia has been trying to touch base with me to catch up since we returned to New York. But every time I call or video chat, she has a different family member around fussing over her. She may be off the hard pain meds, but she is still recovering. She just started walking up steps slowly this week. And Evan has been watching over her like a hawk. Hardly the environment for me to drop the bomb that not only am I dating her brother, but we’re in love and in it for the long haul.
A part of me wants to believe that she’ll be happy for us, but a small part of me is terrified of her reacting poorly to the news. I never want to do anything to jeopardize our friendship and would hate for her to think that I’m carelessly keeping this secret from her.
But I just need to find the right moment to come clean to her and hope that she’ll be just as happy for us as we are for her and Evan.
“What’s wrong? Are you thinking about Amelia again?” Tony sits next to me on the couch.
