Felicity reaches up to adjust the light blue tie around his neck before she tugs on the lapels of his navy suit jacket. “She’s not going to believe it’s you. You’re all grown-up.”
Turning to me, he lets out a heavy exhale. “I need to go. It’s my other sister.”
There’s no mention of what today held for us. The only thing I see on his face is hope.
“I’ll take care of things here,” I say softly.
I follow them out, standing in the doorway of his office as they walk hand-in-hand to the bank of elevators.
I may have lost my chance to make love with him today, but I have a feeling that he’s getting a chance he’s waited years for.
***
“Did your boss like the food, Dolly?”
My grandma stands next to the table I’m seated at in her restaurant. The smile on her face says it all. She knows he loved the food because everyone does.
“What do you think?” I tease.
“I think he loved it.” She winks. “Did you like the dessert? I made it myself.”
Taking her hand, I hold it against my cheek. “You know it’s my favorite. It’s always been my favorite.”
“That’s why I’ll always make it for you.” She pinches my cheek. “What are you doing tonight? You should be out having dinner with a handsome boy, not eating baked ravioli with your grandma.”
I skirt around the core question by pointing at the vacant chair across the table from me. “You should sit with me.”
On an exaggerated sigh, she plops into the chair, wiping both hands on the sauce-stained apron she’s wearing. “I’ll sit. You’ll talk about your boyfriends.”
“Boyfriends?” I pick at the corner of a slice of garlic bread in a basket in the center of the table. “I don’t have any boyfriends, Marti.”
She frowns. “Not one? Why not?”
Shrugging, I let out an exaggerated sigh. “It’s not for lack of trying.”
I can’t tell her that I’ve kissed my boss twice. She’ll show up at my office with a laundry list of questions for Barrett about his intentions. That’s a complication that I don’t need.
I know she means well, but I have to chart my own course. Barrett may only be looking for a one and done as in one fuck, and we’re done with that fun.
“I’ll ask around here if there are any single nice boys.” Her finger curves in an arc as she surveys the room. “Leave it to me to find you a date.”
“No.” I reach across the table to tap her hand. “I’ll find him one day, Marti.”
“When you do, I’ll tell him what a treasure you are.” She squeezes my fingers. “I’ll let him know that you’re the most special girl in the world.”
I hear the emotion in her voice before I see it in her eyes.
“Grandma,” I whisper, darting from my chair to round the table so I can drape my arms around her neck. Pressing my cheek to hers, I relish in the comforting fragrance of her perfume. She’s worn the same scent for as long as I remember.
“I know how lucky I am to be your grandma.” She pats my arm. “I know how lucky I am that you’re here with me.”
Pulling back, I smile down at her. “I’m lucky. Marti Calvetti is my grandma. Not many people can say that.”
That lures a grin to her mouth. “Your sister, your brother, and all of your cousins can say that.”
Kissing her cheek, I laugh. “Good point.”
Her gaze darts to something next to me. “I should get back to the kitchen, Dolly.”