Baby V (Chianti Kisses #1) (13 page)

Theresa looks slightly impatient.
“
All right, le
t’
s just get to the chase, V. Does he know yo
u’
re a virgin
?
” I swallow hard practically choking on the cocktail. She rolls her eyes.
“
OK. I take it back. H
e’
s got to know. You practically have innocent tattooed on your forehead
.
” She laughs a little to soften the blow.
 “
I love you, but seriously, this is bound to happen sooner or later, Yo
u’
ve been locked up in that convent too long
.
”

Oh please!

“
How did you get to be a sexpert all of the sudden? You were locked up in that convent with me! And this is a
hypothetical
  girl, remember
?
”
 
I retort, I know I sound like
I’
m making fun of her, but I really am curious. Has one year really changed all that much for Theresa?

Sh
e’
s the one to blush now.
 “I’
ve been dating... besides, I got out a lot more than you did while we were in school
,
”
 
she explains,
 “
so back to this
hypothetical
  situation. How far have things gone
?
”

“
Further than
I’
ve- I mean sh
e’
s- ever gone before
.
” I
t’
s no use. The cat is out of the bag. She knows i
t’
s me and I might as well stop playing games.
 “
Ugh... OK! I
t’
s me, alright? Happy? Come on, Theresa, just help me
.
”

She appears satisfied as she sits on the edge of her seat with a look of purpose. Reaching next to me and into my purse, she grabs my phone.

“I’
ll help you. But. This entitles me to inside information, alright missy
?
”

At this point I will promise anything for a little help. She quickly maneuvers her way around the internet on my phone screen, presses a few buttons and then hands the phone back to me.

“
Here, Read this. Thank me later
.
” She gets up and heads back into the kitchen.

Is this for real? Surely this ca
n’
t be a real book. I look around before secretly selecting the
 “
buy no
w
” button. For an extra $7.99, I can expect my discreetly wrapped book at my door by tomorrow. Done. I hear Theres
a’
s voice returning from behind as I tuck my phone away and notice that the battery icon is flashing. Damn. I forgot my charger at home. Whatever. Calls can go to voicemail tonight.

“
Pizz
a’
s on i
t’
s way
!
” Theresa manages to order dinner, change into jeans and a t-shirt and put her hair up in a funny looking clip in less than ten minutes flat.
 “
Now, no more boy talk unless i
t’
s about Jacob or Edward
,”
she puts the blu-ray in the player and sits back down on the couch next to me.

~*~

One large pepperoni pizza, another pitcher of pink drinks and two Twilight DV
D’
s later, we are gabbing like old times. I
t’
s been a while since our last gir
l’
s night and i
t’
s definitely over due. The sun has long since set as we finish our gossip session. Empty plates and cocktail glasses litter the sofa table. We decided somewhere between the first and second movie that
I’
d be staying the night to avoid driving.

Our sleepover has progressed to green acne face mask stage as we laugh in the bathroom waiting for them to harden. The phone rings and Theresa makes her way to the nearest receiver to answer.

“
Hello?... hey big brother, ho
w’
s Miami? What? Of course I did
n’
t skip out early. Nope, just a run-of -the-mill, average day. You know... just reports and stats.... and.... stuff. V? Yeah... sh
e’
s here
.
”

I freeze when I hear my name. H
e’
s asking about me? I turn the the mirror and straighten my hair on instinct as if he is really here and not just on the phone. Theresa comes back to the bathroom with the telephone hanging loosely in her outstretched hand. I fumble to face her nervously, taking the phone while pointing to the spare bedroom.

“I’
m just gonna take this in there
.
” Waiting until the bedroom door is completely shut behind me, I creep over to the farthest corner.
“
Hello
?
”

“
Hey baby. Do
n’
t you answer your phone
?
” Oh no. His voice alone is enough to make me begin to perspire.

I crack the window as I sit on the ledge.
“
What?... Oh, It died. You tried to call me
?
” Well duh! How would he know I did
n’
t answer unless h
e’
s called. I scrunch my eyes tight.
Stop sounding like an idiot, V.

“
I told you I would.
I’
m about to call it a night. I tried your cell, tired the house. But.... no V, anywhere
.
”

H
e’
s about to go to bed? I wonder if h
e’
s in his boxers yet? My heart skips a beat. Maybe h
e’
s commando. Lord strike me now. Calm.
Sound calm
, I keep repeating in my head. I
t’
s not like I have
n’
t spoken to him on the phone before. Why is it so different this time?

“
Yeah, w
e’
re just catching up. I did
n’
t feel like driving back tonight. Ho
w’
s your trip
?
”

“
It would be a whole lot better if I did
n’
t have to worry about where yo
u’
ve gone and run off to, with no means of contact, baby
.
”

I hold my breath. I
t’
s refreshing to know that h
e’
s looking for me, but I do
n’
t need another person monitoring my daily activities. I change the subject quickly.

“
Well... I could always install a tracker on my phone, make it easy for all of you
.
” My voice is becoming agitated.

“
OK, OK. At least I know yo
u’
re safe. W
e’
ll talk about the tracker when I get home
.
” He exhales.
 “
I miss you. I did
n’
t think
I’
d miss you so soon, but I do
.
”

The light strip under the door suddenly blocks out. Theresa walked by it,
I’
m sure.
“
Umm... yeah. Look, I ca
n’
t talk long. Your sister is going to think somethin
g’
s up
.
”

“
Something
is
up, V. In more ways than one. Alright,
I’
ll let you get back before you give us away. But, not until you tell me want me
.
”

I see the shadow make i
t’
s way across the floor again. Time is running out, so I answer him
.“
What do
you
  think? Now,
I’
ve got to go
.
”

Dom laughs.

“
Ther
e’
s my girl. Call me tomorrow. And baby..
.
” He does
n’
t wait for an answer.
 “
Charge your phone and answer the next time I call
.
” The phone clicks as his voice ends.

As I leave the bedroom with hardly one foot out the door, Theresa appears. Her hands are on her hips, her face suspicious. The green mask has been washed clean and her brows arched as she begins to fish for information.
“
You two were talking for a while
.
”

No we were
n’
t.
I’
m lucky if we said ten sentences. I wanted to say a lot more, but her pacing back and forth in front of the door had pretty much squashed that. I sheepishly try to downplay the phone call.

“
He just needed to ask some questions about me maybe taking a job at the company
.
”
I’
m thankful for the green clay covering my face, hiding any tell-tale signs of my lie.

She steps out of my way as I head to the sink to wash the beauty treatment from my face, but follows close behind.
“
Do
n’
t lie to me, Vincenza Lombardi.
I’
ve known you since you were born and you are a piss-poor liar. H
e’
s the one, is
n’
t he
?
”

The splash of water thrown on my face does nothing to alleviate my state of shock as she figures it out. She knows! I rush and scrub my face clean before grabbing a towel to bury my face              .

“
You ca
n’
t tell anyone, please! I do
n’
t know wha
t’
s going on yet. I
t’
s just... i
t’
s so crazy.
I’
ve just been talking to you about all these private things about
your brother
  for Chris
t’
s sake. Are you mad?

I ca
n’
t tell if she is in fact mad, or proud that she figured out the mystery.

“
I knew it! I could tell something was up since that night at Flyn
n’
s! I mean it was bound to happen eventually. You two are practically meant for each other, you know
.
”

Tha
t’
s definitely not the reaction I was expecting.
“I’
m serious! You have to promise that you wo
n’
t breathe a word to anyone
!
” I know Theresa ca
n’
t keep a secret to save her life. Please lord, let her be able to keep this one. Sh
e’
s so excited she is practically jumping up and down. She finally spots the lack of amusement in my own reaction.

“
Alright, alright. I swear. I wo
n’
t tell anyone
.
” She looks smug.
 “
Besides, I wo
n’
t have to. You two are
n’
t going to be able to keep it quiet for long, you know
.
”
 
She reaches in, hugs me tight preventing me from responding.
 “
Good night,
sis
!
,
”
 
she blurts sneakily while heading into her bedroom.

I’
m left in the hallway once agin to attempt to comprehend my situation. Le
t’
s see. Whatever it is between Dom and me is now officially known by none other than the biggest jabber jaws this side of the Hudson river. Great.

CHAPTER TEN

The next morning, I help myself to coffee before leaving Theres
a’
s place. Sh
e’
s already left for work and I am in her apartment alone to lock up before leaving myself. I
t’
s net even nine
o’
clock yet. I know Dom is a morning person and have no doubt h
e’
ll already be out and about handling ATH business. Taking advantage of the solitude around me, I pick up Theres
a’
s home phone and dial Do
m’
s cell, unsure of when
I’
ll get another private moment to call him.

He answers on the second ring,
“
Hey sis, should
n’
t you be in your department meeting by now
?
”

Not only is Dom Theres
a’
s brother, but h
e’
s also her boss.... something that she often looses sight of.

“
No... i
t’
s me. I wanted to call you back while
I’
m alone
,
”
 
I interject before he carries on believing h
e’
s talking to his younger sister.

“
Hey! Well,
I’
m glad you called. I was worried that I might have come off like a jerk last night. I did
n’
t mean to get all
John-like
on you. You just had me worried, tha
t’
s all. I was
n’
t sure if you were avoiding my calls, now that things are... changing
.
”

I turn off the coffee pot and place my mug in the sink, multitasking.

“
Sorry. I
t’
s just awkward talking to you with your sister right outside the door. I was trying to keep it so she does
n’
t suspect anything, Dom. This way whenever this is over between us, ther
e’
s less to deal with. But, she figured it out. Everyon
e’
s going to know! My brothe
r’
s are going to KILL you! She promises sh
e’
s going to keep quiet, but you know your si
-
”

“
We do
n’
t need to keep anything quiet, V. If you want her to keep her mouth shut,
I’
ll make sure she does. Sh
e’
s not the only sibling with secrets.
I’
ve got some dirt on her. She tells, then I tell. But, i
t’
s no big deal if she does, V. Ther
e’
s nothing to hide. This is
n’
t some
phase.
I
t’
s not going to be over. Yo
u’
re over thinking it. And do
n’
t worry about your brothers.
I’
ll handle them when the time comes. And I think yo
u’
ll be surprised
.
”

His reassurances do
n’
t seem to help ease my tightening stomach as I stay silent. He moves, on, changing the subject.

“
Tell me what you slept in last night, baby. I swear I could
n’
t get the image out of my head
.
”

I blush. Here he is, doing his thing again.
“
Not much. I did
n’
t plan on staying the night. Had to make due with what I had
.
”

He groans on his end of the receiver.
 “
You ca
n’
t tell me that and then leave me hanging
.
”

I smile. I can leave him hanging a whole lot worse.
 “
I had to sleep with practically nothing on... I kept getting all hot and bothered. Some dream about a gorgeous, sexy man sitting through
The
Notebook
with me
.
”

“
Oh really?... And what was it that this gorgeous, sexy man was doing to you to make you all hot and bothered
?
”

I
t’
s nice to be back to our old banter, all traces of awkwardness subsiding as I continue playing the game.

“
Well, I do
n’
t think I can tell you that. You see... I do
n’
t kiss and tell
.
” I can feel his state of excitement over the line. But, maybe we can re-enact it when you get home
.
”

“
Baby... w
e’
re gonna do a whole lot more than re-enact it. I promise. I have a meeting in twenty, and
I’
m gonna have to go take a cold shower. W
e’
ll continue this next time, OK? Do
n’
t worry about my sister, or your brothers.
I’
ve got it. Text me when you get home so I know you got there safe, OK
?
”

I agree. Our phone call adds a little pep to my step. I borrow a pair of jeans and a cardigan from Theres
a’
s massive closet to wear home. Sh
e’
s not quite a full size bigger than I am thanks to her impressive curves, but the clothes fit well enough for a car ride.

Locking the door behind me, I exit her building with a quick goodbye to the friendly doorman from yesterday. I start my car with the remote while
I’
m still a half block away, hoping to cool the interior temperature a bit before I climb in. I attach my dead phone to the charger as soon I am seated. After the device has enough juice to turn itself on, I check through my messages through the dash screen as I head back to Long Island.

Mom had called to see if I would want to take a tour of the new house this afternoon. Mary had called to remind me that JJ has a t-ball game tomorrow afternoon. The last message makes me groan as I listen to a whiny, high pitched voice trail on an on through the ca
r’
s speakers.

Tanya.

Cecil
y’
s cousin was calling to invite me to lunch sometime this week so we can discuss Cecil
y’
s upcoming baby shower. Thankfully, I had
n’
t had to spend much time with the woman other than the usual pre-wedding things before Cecily had joined the family. And... the occasional BBQ or birthday party that my brother and his wife hosted.

I try to like Tanya, but her personality makes it almost impossible. Sh
e’
s materialistic, snobbish, fake... all things I strive not to be. Sh
e’
s probably the type of girl that would list Barbie as a role model. Everything about her is fake, from her hair to her boobs, teeth, tan, and nails. I dread having to return her call, but find some satisfaction that I am the one chosen to be Godmother of Tony and Cecil
y’
s baby, not her.

I press the return call option on the display screen in the dashboard, with each ring bringing more dread. Thankfully, she does
n’
t answer my call and it is instead sent to her voicemail. Even her message is annoying, instructing me to leave a message, and sh
e’
ll call back
 “
if she wants
.
” The beep is my queue.

“
Hi Tanya, this is Vincenza. I just received your message. This week is open for me, so we could meet up whenever is good for you.
I’
m sure Theresa and Mary will want to come, too. Set something up with them and email me the details.
I’
ll see you then
.
”

Click.

I should feel guilty for throwing Theresa and Mary under the bus, but if I have to share a meal with this woman, by God, I wo
n’
t be suffering it alone. Misery loves company.

The thermostat in the car reads ninety degrees fahrenheit outside. Even for this time of year, this is one crazy heat wave. I set my mind on taking a swim as soon as I get back to the house. Passing the guardhouse as I slow into the drive I wave at the man inside, thankful he does
n’
t ask me to lower my window and loose some of the valuable coolness inside.

Mik
e’
s Jeep is in my old parking spot. I pull next to it turning the engine off and bracing myself for the onslaught of heat about to attack me. I grab the pile of yesterda
y’
s clothes and make a mad dash for the front door and the promise of comfort.

The house is filled with voices as I discreetly let myself in. Aunt Rosie is dashing about, straightening up side tables and running a dust rag over the surfaces. I know for a fact that there are at least two full-time employees at all times to perform these chores, but my aunt is never completely convinced that things are clean enough.

Mike is sitting at the dining room table with a large double decker sandwich and a bottle of water in front of him and mom has just entered to check on his progress when she sees me.

“
V! I
t’
s about time! Michael came to visit. Sit down...
I’
make you sandwich
,
” she plans as she pulls out the chair next to my brother, wh
o’
s sitting in Do
m’
s vacant seat.

Aunt Rosie leaves her dusting to come and greet me.

“
Darling! How is Theresa? Is her apartment clean? Did you two have a nice time
?
”
 
I
t’
s apparent where Theresa inherited her OCD house cleaning gene from.

She takes the pile of yesterda
y’
s clothes from under my arm and gives them to one of the housekeepers waiting nearby, with instructions to have them laundered and placed in my room. Returning to us, she sits across from me, awaiting my report on her daughte
r’
s domestic qualities.

“
Aunt Rosie, Theres
a’
s fine. We watched a movie and ordered a pizza. Her condo is beautiful as always
.
”
 
I left out the part where I disclosed all of my hidden feelings about her son. Probably for the best, I think. Oh, and I decided to edit out the fact that her daughter ditched work early. Aunt Rosie seems satisfied with my news and is easily distracted by the middle-aged housekeeper arranging a vase of florals in the foyer beyond us.

“
Angela! We have to cut the stems before we set those out. Bring them to the kitchen and w
e’
ll do it together
.
” She smiles at Mike and I,
 “
excuse me, kids
.
” She leaves us to tend to her flowers.

Mike and I laugh together, quietly. Aunt Rosie has the need to micromanage almost everything and we have both been on the receiving end of her compulsion before. I stare at his sandwich, thankful that my own will be here soon. I did
n’
t realize how famished I am, having skipped breakfast. Mike seems to be enjoying his thoroughly, as I interrupt his lunch.

“
So, do you make it a habit to drive forty minutes so your mommy can feed you
?
”

Mike lives in a large apartment on the west side, close enough to Jersey City, where he works in one of AT
H’
a satellite offices near the main loading docks. But, he is your typical momm
a’
s-boy and will find any excuse to come home and have her whip up a little something for him to eat. Or do his laundry.

He seems to take pride in this.
 “
You bet! If I do
n’
t come home for food, I think she will loose a small sense of purpose. Therefore, you see, I am really coming here for her well being. But, while w
e’
re appreciating each othe
r’
s redeeming qualities... do you make it a habit to disappear and have Dom practically put out an APB on you
?
”

I roll my eyes. I choose to ignore the latter half of his question. There is some truth to Mik
e’
s attempt in avoiding his true mooch status. My mother had her hands full cooking, cleaning for, and taking care dad and all of us kids. Now that da
d’
s gone and all of the boys have moved out, sh
e’
s in heaven when they come for a visit so she can brush up on her skills.