Defining Moments (8 page)

“What can I do for you, Justin?” I bite out.

“I was just calling to see how you are doing in the new apartment?” he says with hesitation.

I don’t answer for a moment, because I’m not sure if I should be mad and yell at him or laugh at the absurdity.

“Justin, I’m not doing this with you,” I laugh out. “Is something happening with the boys that I need to know about?”

He responds quietly after a moment, “No, I just wanted to make sure you are okay in the new place, that’s all. Jesus, Ell, we spent twenty-one years together. I can’t just turn off the part of my brain that wants to protect you.”

I’m shocked at his declaration. I get that we had a routine and it’s weird so many things changed so fast, but it’s been more than nine months since this all started. Why is he so concerned for my well-being now?

I choose my words carefully, trying to rein in my temper. “Look, I understand those protective feelings don’t go away overnight. However, it’s been nine months, Justin. I don’t need your protection anymore. Stop worrying about me and focus on your own life. I’m not part of it anymore.”

He doesn’t say anything for a moment, and I know that’s my cue to end this conversation.

“Goodbye, Justin,” I say calmly.

I hit the End button before he has a chance to respond. The smile that spreads across my face is strange, but liberating. I don’t feel sadness. For the first time in a very long time, when I speak to Justin or think of him, I’m not shattered.

After a quick, cool shower to rinse off the sweat, I decide to catch up on the latest romance novel I’m reading. As I dive into the story about bikers and the women who love them, I find myself picturing Cord as the biker—in leathers, on a Harley, taking what he wants when he wants it.

When I get to the steamy parts, I realize my breathing is heavy and I’m squeezing my legs together. It’s been way too long. Maybe reading books that involve detailed sex scenes isn’t the best idea for me right now. I’m already trying to keep my mind from going there every time I’m around Cord.

After yet another steamy scene, I check the clock to see how much time I have before Cord arrives. I always seem to lose sense of time when I’m reading, and it surprises me when I realize he’ll be here in three hours. I spent most of my afternoon reading, and I smile because I can.

I reread the last steamy scene one more time for good measure and then head off for my date with the removable showerhead. If I’m going to be in the presence of that gorgeous man for a couple of hours, I’m going to need to take care of that.

Seeing how Saint is a very prestigious restaurant, I find the only cocktail dress I own, a black one that I’ve only worn once. Justin had been invited to some bigwig retirement party a few months before our split and had insisted I buy something “new and black” for the party. At the time, it didn’t dawn on me, but when I look back at it now, he probably requested I buy a dress in black to try to hide the fact I was heavier than most of the people who attended. He works in the fitness industry, so most of the people he works with are fit. He is fit. Julia is fit. Hell, he met her at one of those damn fit people conventions he’s always going to.

I shake away the melancholy feeling that is trying to take over me. Tonight will be great. I’m getting out there and making new friends, starting with my neighbor, who just so happens to be hot as hell.
Stop it, Ellie. You don’t think about your friends like that.

I’m finishing up my makeup when I hear the light knock at the front door. He’s early. I smooth the front of my dress down and head out to let Cord in.

But when I open the door, it’s not Cord. It’s Ben.

“Wow, Mom! Look at you! Where are you going all dressed up?” he asks with huge smile on his face.

“To dinner with me,” I hear a deep voice say from behind Ben. Ben narrows his eyes at me as he turns to the voice. Lord help me, the man looks delicious. He’s wearing black slacks and a beautiful purple button down shirt. His voice alone makes me want to clench my legs together.
Knock it off, Ellie.

“Oh, hey, Eli. Shit, wait, or are you Ben?” Cord asks with a laugh. Ben doesn’t laugh.

“Ben. What do you mean ‘dinner with you’?” Ben bites out.

I pull on Ben’s arm and he turns his head to look over his shoulder at me.

“Benjamin! Don’t give Cord the third degree. There is a restaurant near here that has an opening for a line chef. He is taking me, as a friend, so I can scope the place out and see if I want to apply,” I scold him.

Cord continues to smile at me as Ben glares at him.

“Friends, huh? I don’t recall you dressing like that to go out to dinner with Claire,” Ben retorts, still glaring at Cord.

“Excuse me, young man. The restaurant is very respected and expensive. You can’t just wear jeans and a t-shirt in there. I’m sure it has a dress code,” I rant. “What’s gotten into you, Benjamin?”

“I get it, Ben,” Cord tells him firmly. “I promise to be on my best behavior with your mom. I’m taking her to dinner, and then I will return her to her apartment. I’ll give you my phone number, if you’d like it, just in case.”

Ben nods his head once and hands Cord his phone, which Cord takes and types in his name and number. I roll my eyes and stare at Ben with my mean mom face.

“Before you leave, I’d like to talk to you alone for a sec, Ma,” Ben says to me but doesn’t take his eyes off Cord.

Cord nods before telling me, “It’s fine, Ellie. I forgot something in my apartment, so I’ll just go get that and be back in a few minutes.” He smiles gently and turns to unlock his door.

Ben and I step back into my apartment and Ben slams the door behind us.

“He lives right beside you, Mom?” Ben chides.

“So what. What is the problem here, son?” I ask firmly.

“What do you know about this guy? It’s freaking me out that you are going out on a date with a guy you met yesterday, who lives beside you,” he says. “I don’t like this at all, Mom.”

I take his hand in mine before I reply. “Ben, I’m a grown woman, one who can make her own decisions. Cord is a gentleman and it isn’t really a date. I told you, I’m scoping out the job prospect.”

“It just worries me because you are so blind to how men see you, Ma. You look amazing right now, and there is no way Cord is having ‘friend only’ thoughts. Whether he’s a gentleman or not, he’s still a dude,” Ben replies.

I look up at his concerned face, pressing my hand to his cheek. This is all new territory. I never thought I’d have a moment in my life where my son felt the need to protect me from a date.

“I’ll be okay, honey. It’s just dinner as friends. You have Cord’s number, and if it makes you feel better, you can be here when we get back. I’ll text you when we are getting close to being done with dinner and you can come back.”

With that new suggestion, Ben nods and walks to the door just as Cord knocks. Ben opens the door, walks out, holds up his index finger to indicate he wants me to stay inside, and then closes the door behind him.

What in the actual fuck?

I walk toward the door quickly, and when I open it, I hear the ass end of the conversation.

“No worries, Ben. I’ll treat her with the utmost respect,” I hear Cord tell him.

“Can we go now, son?” I grind out.

“Yes, ma’am. Text me like we talked about,” Ben says to me with a smile, before he heads down the stairs in front of us.

“Well, that was awkward. I’m sorry, Cord. I didn’t know he was coming over or I’d have spoken to him about this earlier,” I tell him quickly. “This whole thing is new to all of my boys.”

“No worries, love,” he replies with a smile. “Wait, did you say ‘all of my boys’? How many kids do you have?” His eyes get big and I chuckle.

“The twins, whom you’ve met, and then my baby just left for college. The twins are twenty and Destry is seventeen,” I reply with a huge smile.

“You are close to your boys,” he says, not in question.

“Yes I am. They’ve been my whole life since they were born,” I affirm.

He smiles, holds his arm out for me to take, and leads me down the stairs to a vehicle, which is different than the car that was parked in my spot yesterday.

I laugh when he opens the door for me and he looks at me quizzically.

“How many cars do you have, Cord? Is that why you needed my extra spot?” I giggle.

“Ah, yes, I’d say I have a passion for vehicles. I have three. The BMW you saw yesterday, this one, which is a Range Rover, and then I also have a Ford F250. A car for every occasion,” he laughs out.

It makes me kind of nervous that he has all these expensive vehicles. He must be rich; but why would he live in a tiny apartment if he has that kind of money?

The drive to the restaurant is quiet, and when he pulls up in front of the most beautiful building I’ve ever seen, my anxiety about this night skyrockets.

“This place is amazing,” I say, looking up to take in the whole view.

A young man about Destry’s age comes rushing out of the building, dressed in a suit.

“Mr. Cordero, I’ll take your keys and park your vehicle,” the young man says as Cord slips him his keys and a tip.

“Thank you, Drake,” Cord says.

“So is Cord short for Cordero or is your name Cord Cordero?” I ask with amusement as he gently places his hand on my lower back and leads me inside.

He chuckles before answering, “Cord is short for Cordero.”

He doesn’t stop at the hostess area. Instead, he walks us directly to the back of the restaurant to a secluded table, nodding and smiling at people who acknowledge him.

“Come here often, do you?” I ask quietly. I should have known he’s a player. I mean, he’s hot as hell. Why wouldn’t he be?

“You could say that,” he replies with an uncomfortable smile.

He pulls out my chair and pushes it in as I sit down. Such a gentleman.

“Cord, how are you this evening?” A beautiful young woman comes to our table, not removing her eyes from him.

“Angelica, I’m wonderful,” he greets her by standing and kissing both her checks, before returning to his seat.

“Ellie, this is the manager of Saint, Angelica,” he smiles warmly.

Angelica holds her hand out for me to shake and I do while responding, “Nice to meet you, Angelica.”

A look passes between Cord and this woman and it makes me feel uncomfortable. There is a history there I think.

“If you’ll excuse me, where is the ladies’ room?” I request of Angelica, needing to step away to gather my thoughts.

She points in the direction of the restrooms but doesn’t respond. As I make it to the ladies’ room, I turn back and see Cord and the woman are having a rather heated discussion. Great. Just how I wanted to spend my evening.

As I finish up in the restroom and make my way out, I look up to make sure I’m not interrupting them, but see that Angelica has disappeared. When I get to the table, Cord stands and pulls my chair out for me again.

“Thank you,” I reply quietly.

“I can see the wheels spinning, Ellie. What’s wrong?” he asks with concern.

“Nothing really,” I answer.

“What’s with the long face then? Are you feeling okay?” he questions.

I take a deep breath, hoping this doesn’t come out the wrong way. “Look, Cord, we came to dinner as friends. I just didn’t realize we would run into an old girlfriend or whatever that was and make things awkward.”

He chokes on the water he is drinking, coughing so hard his face turns red. Oh shit, I’ve pissed him off.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” I tell him while pounding on his back.

He holds his hands up to stop the pounding.

I return to my seat and wait as he settles himself.

“Ellie, that’s my sister,” he rushes out, still trying to stop his coughing.

I watch as amusement settles on his face and I put my hands over my mouth and start laughing.

“I’m so sorry,” I choke out. “I saw you two talking earlier and assumed it was like a lovers’ quarrel.”

He fake gags and then shakes his head.

“I realize I said we’d come to dinner as friends, but I really would like to get to know you better, Ellie. There is just something about—” he says before being interrupted.

“Saint Cordero! How dare you keep this lovely creature from your brother,” I hear an amazingly deep voice say.

I turn to watch a man who looks almost identical to Cord walk towards our table. Holy hell, the entire family is beautiful.

And then it dawns on me what he just called Cord.

“Saint?” I whisper, watching as Cord’s face turns red in embarrassment as he smiles at me.

“What are you doing here? I thought you had the night off,” Cord asks his brother, but hasn’t taken his eyes off me.

“I do, but I brought the girls here for dinner and Angelica just told me you were here on a date, so I had to see for myself,” he replies, smiling warmly at me.

“Angelica’s so nosey,” Cord mumbles, making his brother laugh.

“I apologize for my brother’s lack of manners,” he says with mischief in his eyes. “I’m Bishop.”

Reaching out to shake my hand, he gently pulls it up to his mouth and places a gentle kiss on the back, much like Cord did the first time we met.

“Stop flirting or I’m telling Sami,” Cord grunts out.

Bishop laughs loudly. “Go ahead, she’s getting the girls situated, and then she’s coming over to say hi too.”

“Shit,” Cord says under his breath. What the hell is going on?

Angelica returns with two glasses of red wine and appetizers of fried asparagus spears, thin sliced garlic bread with dipping oils, and side salads.

“Saint, how dare you come here on a date and not tell us,” I hear a sweet voice say. I turn my head to see a tiny little woman walking quickly toward Cord. He stands just in time to catch her as she launches herself at him.

“Damn, Sami, have you put on weight? You weigh a ton,” he laughs as he places her back on her feet and she slaps his arm. She may be the tiniest woman I’ve ever seen. I’m guessing 4’10” and maybe eighty-five pounds.

“Don’t be a smart-ass,” she jokes. Sami turns to me and smiles brightly.

“Hello there. I’m Sami,” she says happily, while pointing at Bishop. “I’m that one’s wife.”