Two Can Play (12 page)

“Errrr, Katie... Ciao. Uno minuti favore,” he finally greets me, somewhat awkwardly.

“
Ciao, Marco, I'll have a cappuccino when you're not busy,” I say, taking a look at the two women, smiling at them, and then turning to take a seat at the far end in the sunshine.

A few minutes later he finishes his chat and comes straight over to me.

“Who's the looker?” I ask.

“
Looker? Oh, I see, bellino, she is pretty, yes?” He pauses and takes a deep breath. Something's coming. I can feel the tension flowing from him. “She's Margarita, and also mamma of Margarita.”

“
So what's she doing here, Marco?” I push.

“
She came to see me, of course.”

“
What for?”

He pauses and gives me a look.
That
kind of a look.

“
I'm sorry, Katie. We are now together again...I do still love her.”

Well I could have sworn he was well and truly over her, and very into me, but what the hell do I know about men? They're all so damn confusing.

My stomach plunges with acute disappointment initially, but then I realize, this does solve my current dilemma for me. My two men become one, without me having to do anything about it. In any case, at least he's being honest with me about his love life. Whereas, I guess I'm not.

“
Look, it's okay, Marco, really. I barely know you. If you and the love of your life are getting back together, that's fine by me.” I try to save face and sound unconcerned and light-hearted about it all.

“
You are so sweet. And still my very good friend.” He kisses my hand, very quickly and discreetly, with his back turned to Margarita, I can't help but notice.

“
I'll have a large, strong coffee on the house, hotshot Romeo, to get over you dumping me.” I try hard to smile, but inside I'm hurt. I know I have no right. But seeing him again has made me realize what I feel for him. And despite what's fast developing with Aaron, that's quite a lot, it would seem. Still, he can always be my friend, if Margarita doesn't mind, or preferably, doesn't know.

Five minutes later I sit sipping at my huge coffee and my cell phone bleeps.

Three times.

Mom, Chris and Aaron all fly in together.

I notice I also have a missed a call from my accountant.

The accountant can call back, whenever. Hopefully, never.

I know he wants to talk taxes.

Chris
:
Ricky proposed last night. I'm now in shock. Because — I said YES!

I’m a bit shocked by this as well.

Me
:
Really? And suddenly he's Prince Charming, is he? Are you sure about this babe?

I used to like Ricky, but lately he's been so bad and so off I'm a bit stunned this has happened. Literally every week there's been something. Perhaps he's had problems before and it's all out in the open now. I'll find out more when I can.

Mom asks me yet again when I'm coming back.

Me
:
5 days. I'll fly direct to LV
.

That should keep her happy.

Finally, Aaron.

Calls all done. You're taking a real long time saying hello :(

I laugh. I've only been gone fifteen minutes.

Me
:
Having huge cap and sitting in the sun. See you in a while.

I need this little time to myself. To think. Now that Marco's out of the picture I feel exposed. He was a good excuse to keep Aaron at arm’s length. Still, he doesn't have to know about this development, does he? I can pretend, can't I? And while I'm fooling him, I can fool myself some more as well. Because I can't stop thinking about that hug we had earlier. It really did things to me. I felt so good wrapped in his arms. Way too good.

HIM

I've gone ahead and booked a car to go to Rome and an average-to-good hotel on the Internet for our trip to see The Saturdays. We'll share a room, hopefully that'll be okay with her. I won't mention the sleeping arrangements yet. But anyway, that's all sorted. I call Karen and cancel the apartment search, telling her I've found something on my own. We have a brief chat about the lawyer she has hired for me. I'll speak to Signor Bassi tomorrow and pass on the details.

I can't help myself and send Kate a “way too obvious” text before I can stop my fingers doing it.

Damn. I'm well on the way to making a fool of myself. I'm normally so Mr. Cool.

I'm having a lot of trouble with accepting this Marco guy. I don't know how far things have got between them, but I don't want them to go any further.

Not that she belongs to me. And I don't know why I'm feeling like this, because I don't normally expect exclusivity with my casual hook-ups.

I've been wracking my brain for inspiration. God knows how I'm gonna help her with all that baggage she's carrying. I don't have any idea how badly affected she is by being raped and beaten up. But I'm pretty sure she's not been with anyone since it happened. She's nervous of contact. Little alarm bells seem to go off when I'm close.

Normally I'd run a mile from anything like this.

Rather selfishly, I like my women uncomplicated. Completely baggage free.

And Kate has the ultimate baggage.

But there you go. Life has a way of springing wonderful challenges on you.

Some of mine have been pretty heavy ones lately. Hopefully I won't lose my mind.

Which reminds me...

I pick her Dreams folder off the shelf and flick through to one of the songs.

The one I have plans for.

Losin' It.

I can't let you go, and don't wanna know

Who you see, when you're not with me

We drive in your car, but we don't go far

Going crazy in my mind, with you I'm blind

You love me so, but you still gotta go?

Why the hell am I sinking so low?

I'm losin' it. (losin' it, losin' it)

I don't know why (why, why) All I do is cry (cry, cry)

You pick me up like I'm your toy

I'm playing with a real bad boy.

This is all just a game, and ain’t it a shame

The winner is you, and what can I do

Far too long, I've been singing your song

Pretending we're fine, but you'll never be mine

You love me so, but you still gotta go?

Why the hell am I sinking so low?

I'm losin' it. (losin' it, losin' it)

I don't know why (why, why) All I do is cry (cry, cry)

You pick me up like I'm your toy

I'm playing with a real bad boy

It needs to be a little longer but I can almost hear her singing it.

I take a photo and send it to Karen with a note to get Jack on the musical score, double quick. Something cute, and hot. Like Shannon.

I know this is stealing Kate's work, but I want to present her with a fait accompli. I hope she'll be happy once she's got over the shock and thumped me a few times. I'm going to make her dreams come true and offer her a contract to write for Shannon and another of my female signings. But I need to make sure it'll all work out in practice first. I quickly shove the file back on the shelf as I see her walking down the street below. And then the strangest thing happens inside my chest.

Fuck me...did my heart just skip a beat over her? Make that two beats. She's only been gone for an hour. Suddenly I'm a real sad case.

She shuts the door and dumps her purse and kicks off her shoes untidily.

She's so cute at times I really could eat her.

I could eat her when she's not being cute as well.

Hopefully I'll get the chance soon.

I walk toward her. “Back already?” I ask with a smile.

“
Yeah, he's busy. We won't be going out later after all. He's on a double shift.”

My heart does another stupid flip. And a little cheer as well. This is my opportunity to get him out of her head and move me in. Another little evening tucked up together on the sofa.

“So we can hang out then? Maybe get some Chinese takeout?”

“
Sure, and it's my treat.”

“
Oh no. I'm buying all the grub while I'm staying here.”

“
You really don't have to.”

“
Yes, I do. As food's my thing, I'm buying, then I get to eat what I want.”

She laughs loudly.

“What?” I wasn't aware I was being funny.

“
Are you obsessed with food?”

“
I like my mouth to be occupied, one way or another.”

There's ways I could occupy my mouth that'd make my day. And hers as well. I'm wondering what she tastes like...my mental tongue's going there.

She laughs again. I love the sound of her laugh. It's sweet and sexy, like honey in my ears. And her teeth are just beautiful, begging me to run my tongue around their smooth even surface. I get a flash of the stud. It's taunting me. I'm dying for the feel of it. Everything. All of her.

And I can't wait any longer. I take her hand and pull her close.

“Hug, Kate. Now. Please.”

We stand there pressed together. My heart rate is picking up.

Holy shit.

I don't know how she's feeling but I'm so ready for this.

I'm overwhelmed with need. Her scent and the feel of her are driving me insane, but despite that I sense I've got to be really careful.

I don't want to ruin things before they've started.

I start slowly.

Kissing her forehead.

Then her nose.

Squeezing her tightly.

I'm just about to dip down to her mouth when she pulls her head away and looks at me directly.

“
This isn't a hug at all, is it, Aaron?”

The look in her eyes tells me all I need to know.