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“Yes, but she doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“Ever?”
“I don’t know about ever, but I do know that now isn’t a good time,” she said. She took the flowers and sniffed them. “These are beautiful. I’m sure she’ll love them.”
As soon as she took the flowers and the extra bags of sides, along with the salad, I slipped the pizzas out of the thermal sack.
“I made your favorite as well,” I told her, holding out the pizza boxes with our logo across the top. My cold hands were warmed from the heat of the pies.
She leaned in and whispered, “She told me what happened, and even though it was embarrassing as hell, I couldn’t help but laugh. I’m on your side, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure she shows up for your date tomorrow night. If she doesn’t, it wasn’t because I didn’t try. All of this will help… especially the flowers… she’s a sucker for fresh flowers, dark beer, and sometimes, a good bubbly wine. Maybe send over some of that.” She stepped back then. “Well, thanks, Gianni. We’re both starved, so this is absolutely perfect.”
“Please tell Dani that I’m really sorry, and if she needs anything… anything at all… I’m here for her.” I said the words loud and clear, hoping Dani would hear me.
Sarah and I said our goodbyes, and I left before I made a fool out of myself. I was in new territory here, and I had no idea what to do next… other than making a mental note to send over a few bottles of our finest Prosecco tomorrow, along with more flowers, lots of flowers.
Everything depended on whether she would show up for the date, and I hoped and even said a prayer or two that she would.
ALL THAT NIGHT, and well into the next day, every time my phone buzzed, I picked it up, hoping to see a text from Dani, but I never did. I didn’t want to bug her anymore, so I gave her some space.
In the meantime, I’d called Uncle Louie about his generous offer to invest in my own restaurant, and he once again was more than willing. Fortunately, he didn’t mention anything about his encounter with Dani, and I sure as hell wasn’t about to ask him.
Sometime around two that afternoon, I met with Margery Casings. She’d prepared all the paperwork for me, adding the apartment when I’d called her earlier. I signed the contract and handed her a check for the deposit. I had more than enough money in my account for the deposit; it was the money for everything else that I needed from my generous uncle.
I spent the rest of the day working on the proposal for the restaurant, the proposal that my uncle required for his investment into my future.
It was awkward as hell talking to him after Dani’s hot little yet embarrassing pussy flash yesterday, but I held onto the fact that the man was indeed blind without his glasses. In my mind, he saw nothing and knew nothing. At least that was the belief I was hanging onto until I learned otherwise.
Or how the hell would I ever work with him… or better still, how the hell would Dani ever be part of my family without feeling uncomfortable? If my mother or brothers ever found out, moving to another planet wouldn’t be far enough away for all the grief they’d give us.
I’d caused a total mess or rather the boldness of Jonathan had caused it all. Still, there was something to be said for that kind of bravery, and that inner Jonathan no doubt caused me to sign that paperwork for my new restaurant and my new apartment, both of which I could move into anytime the following week. A concept my mother would have a meltdown over, to be sure.
By nine o’clock that night, New Year’s Eve was in full swing at Ripe Tomato. The place sparkled with lights, music, and folks ready to step out of this year and into a new one. There was even a small dance floor set up in the back room where the restaurant held private parties, and a live band with a female vocalist sang classic standards as well as some Adele tunes to get everyone in the mood for romance.
I was in the mood but so far, my New Year’s lover was nowhere to be found. I’d broken down a couple of times and sent her a text, but there was no reply.
I’d been seated at our table after I’d waited at the bar for the first hour.
Still no Dani.
I’d done what Sarah had said and sent multiple bouquets over to their apartment, along with several bottles of Prosecco, including a dry rosé that I thought was especially good.
No response. Not a text or a phone call.
Still, I’d gotten dressed up in my best black suit, and snuck out of the house before anyone could see me. I had no desire to tell anyone what I was doing, especially not my mother who would undoubtedly find her way over to the restaurant to tell Dani what a great guy I was.
“Hi,” a tall young man with black hair and a wide smile said as he approached the table. “My name is Carmen, and I’ll be your waiter this evening. Can I get you something to drink while you’re waiting?”
“Yes, I’ll have a martini… No, I’ll have a bottle of your best Prosecco. And bring two classic glasses with that. And a couple of bottles of sparkling water, no ice. Thanks.”
“Absolutely,” Carmen said and took off to get the wine and water.
I checked my phone. A text from my mother wanting to know if I would be there at midnight. I told her that I wouldn’t and didn’t even read her long reply. I knew she would say something about the girl I brought over for Christmas, and I didn’t want to get into it. Not when I was holding onto my last shred of hope that she’d show up.
A text from Rocco congratulated me again on renting the entire building. He wanted to know if this was a good time to call.
I asked him to hold off for a bit.
And finally, a text from Uncle Louie telling me how proud he was of me, and his lips were sealed. Just reading his text caused me to cringe and sigh.
