Insecurity and a Bottle of Merlot (24 page)

The grandfather clock chimed every fifteen minutes. She heard it from the bedroom.
It must be quarter to seven, I’m out of here.

The short five minute drive to Morey’s didn’t give Vic enough time to get nervous. It took longer to find a parking spot and walk inside. She looked around and saw the flash of an arm wave at her. Max stood up and grinned at her from the farthest table in the corner of the dining room.

Why in the hell is Morey’s so jammed tonight?
Vic remembered it was Saturday.
Duh… I’m not accustomed to being here on the weekends.
“Hi, Max, sorry about the crowd. I forgot how crazy this place gets on the weekends.”

“Do you have any other suggestions, maybe someplace a little quieter? By the way, you look beautiful. I like that hairstyle, Vic, it’s different,” he said, with a grin.

They both burst out laughing when she punched him in the arm.

“C’mon, follow me,” she said.

They walked out into the cool night. The full moon illuminated the sky, accented by a million twinkling stars.

“How far are we going, Vic? You’re shaking already.” He apprehensively put his arm around her for warmth. She didn’t resist.

“Not far, just over to Amelia’s. It’s quieter there, no TV’s or rowdy people.”

They stepped over the threshold into the warm restaurant. It instantly felt good. Vic’s shoulders relaxed. There were only ten other people inside. “This is better,” she said. “We’ll be able to talk and actually hear each other.”

They sat at a booth in the back corner. The tables near them were empty, and they were a good distance from the bar and kitchen. Amelia’s was open until ten p.m. nightly, but most of their customers were lunchtime people from the neighboring businesses downtown. The weekend party crowd usually went to Bottoms Up or Morey’s. This was just right.

Chapter Thirty Three

Carmen, one of the long time waitresses brought menus to their darkened, quiet booth. “Hey, Vic, what’s up girl? Who’s this hunka-hunka burning love? I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”

Max laughed out loud while a red blush colored his cheeks. His sideways glance and eye roll toward Vic got them all laughing.

“Seriously, Carmen, you are a woman out of control. This is my friend, Max. Max, this is crazy Carmen. We’ve known each other since junior high.”

“Nice to meet you, Max. I hope Vic is taking good care of you.” She gave him a slow and deliberate once over, followed by a wink. “What can I get you to drink, honey?”

“I’ll have an Abbey Ale, please.”

“You got it, doll. I’ll get you a glass of Merlot, Vic. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“So this is what living in Tarrytown would be like, huh? Everyone knows each other, whether you want them to, or not. It’s kind of charming. I could get used to it.”

Vic began to fumble. Max was making innuendos. She had to change the subject. It was far too early to be serious. It would take at least two glasses of wine before she’d be able to muster up the courage to say what she needed to. Vic grabbed a menu and tried to look interested in the dinner choices. “Do you know what you want, Max?”

A serious expression came over his face. “Yes, Vic, I know exactly what I want. My question is, do you want the same thing?”

She looked up from the menu, held his gaze, and then realized he wasn’t talking about dinner. Vic stammered, not sure of the response to give. Right then, she could only speak in gibberish. She fidgeted with the napkin on her lap and fussed with her hair.

“Vic?”

“I’m trying to think of the words. Honesty is the best policy, right? I was taught that in catechism.”

Max laughed out loud again. “Honey, I don’t think you learned that in catechism, but I agree, honesty is the best policy. Tell me what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours.”

“It’s hard for me to talk about. I’m afraid to say the words.”

“Say whatever is on your mind. We’ll sort it out together.”

“Okay… I’m just going to blurt it out. Mia told me about the two of you. The sex, I mean. I’m insecure because she’s so beautiful, and you had an instant connection.”

Max took a large gulp of his beer and paused. An expression Vic didn’t recognize took over his entire face. He didn’t see that coming, and the comment stunned him. Max needed to gather his own thoughts now. Vic stared at him, wondering if the redness in his face was from anger or embarrassment.

“Say something… please.”

He cleared his throat and took another gulp of beer. “I agree with everything you said, Vic. Mia is really beautiful, and we did have an instant connection. We were also kind of thrown together by accident. What happened wasn’t planned… well… except the second time. Shit… this is hard to talk about. Can you take everything I’m going to say?”

“I hope so.”

“I’ve been a lost soul for a long time. That’s a whole different story and I don’t want to drift off this subject right now. Everything happened when Mia sprained her ankle, but apparently you know that. We were stuck together over night, and did a lot of talking. Mia confided in me, saying how her husband was cheating on her. She had a need right then, and obviously, I did too. I don’t know how long Mia went without intimacy, but me? It was years. It just happened, Vic. Neither of us have regrets, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t moved on. Sex is a beautiful thing, sweetheart, and nothing to be ashamed of, given the right circumstances. Mia and I had a talk the day I met you. She told me she was in love with someone else. I respect her honesty, then, and now. The last thing I would ever do is mess up her life when she just got it back on track. Aaron seems like a great guy, and they’re happy together. Now, as far as beautiful? When was the last time you looked in the mirror?”

“Less than an hour ago,” she said, with the tiniest smile.

Max grinned. “I didn’t mean it literally. You’re drop dead gorgeous, Vic. My God, woman, do you have any idea how my heart flutters when I see you? My pulse beats twice as fast as normal, and I get butterflies in my stomach. Yeah… that doesn’t sound very manly. What I’m trying to say is, I want a real relationship, and I want it with you. I want us to be together by choice, not by need, or accident. You don’t have to worry about Mia and me, ever.”

A tear slid down Vic’s cheek and she looked away trying not to appear vulnerable. “My ass is too big, and I have screwed up hair.”

“Vic, look at me… please.” Max came around to her side of the booth and sat next to her. She turned toward him and he gently wiped her wet cheek with his fingertip.

“You’re perfect, absolutely perfect. Honey, you don’t always have to be so tough. Soft is good too.” He smiled and kissed her eyelids.

“Max, there’s something else I need to tell you before I can be at peace.”

He looked at her quizzically. “There’s more?”

“Yes, it’s about the party at my house for Mia and Aaron, and the way I treated you. There’s no excuse for my behavior that night. Those damn insecurities took over my mind, and jealousy filled my heart. You wouldn’t have left when you did if I wasn’t behaving that way. You may have spent the night, who knows? Your accident was my fault. You were distracted, weren’t you? You hit the deer because your mind was on the way I treated you. I know it’s true. You’re such a careful driver, Max. I don’t know if I can get over the guilt in my heart.”

“Vic, none of it was your fault. I wasn’t thinking about us, I was just enjoying the ride. The fresh evening air and that peaceful country road felt magical. I was one with the road on my bike, until my pant leg got stuck in the foot peg. I reached down to pull it out, and the bike wobbled a little. I over-corrected and hit the deer. Vic, it wasn’t even on the road. It was standing on the side of the ditch. I hit it because of my own stupidity. Don’t blame yourself. I made the mistake, not you. It was an accident, honey, nothing more. When I left your house that night I did wonder why you seemed off, but I chalked it up to anxiety. Putting a big party together takes work. Isn’t that why you were short with me?”

“No. It was because I saw you and Mia together in the driveway. I saw you hug, and heard you say you loved each other.”

“Vic, you have no idea what that was about.” Max fidgeted and rearranged himself in the booth.

“Yes, I do, Mia told me. That’s why I feel so terrible. I misunderstood your actions and let my fears get the best of me. I didn’t trust you that night, or Mia, my best friend in the entire world. I had to come clean about all my fears and insecurities tonight, or I would never be able to go forward with you. The burden and guilt inside was eating away at me. I need your forgiveness, Max. I love you and I don’t want secrets between us.”

“Honey, if at any time something seems off to you, don’t sit on it and let it stew. Just come out and say what’s on your mind. Now… back to what you said a minute ago. You love me?” Max broke out into a huge, dimpled grin. He took her face in his hands and kissed her tear stained cheeks.

He would never tell her the truth. He couldn’t. The lie that passed his lips about hitting the deer had to stay with him, and only him, forever. Vic would never let go of her guilt if Max really told her how the accident happened. Distracted, was putting it lightly. Max hit the deer because of his distraction… over her. He couldn’t focus on the road ahead, his mind was too full of doubts about Vic. There never was an issue with the foot peg, but Max loved Vic. He had to tell her the lie, for her own peace of mind. She had to forgive herself, if she ever wanted to get over her insecurities.

“So you didn’t hit the deer because of me? And you love everything about me, even the frizzy bun on my head, and my big ass? You don’t think Mia is more beautiful with her gorgeous, smooth blonde hair?”

“Um… let’s see if I have this in the right order. Nope… yep… and another nope. C’mon sweetheart, let’s get out of here.”

They left Amelia’s. Max held her close as they walked. They stopped at the gazebo in the town square. Street lights in the distance gently illuminated the white, Victorian structure. Faint music and laughter echoed from the sports bars a few blocks away. Max faced Vic and reached around her head. He gently removed the chopsticks from her hair, letting the still damp raven locks tumble to the center of her back. He inhaled the fresh scent of honeysuckle shampoo as he buried his face in her black mane and nuzzled her softly. His lips were warm against her skin. Max kissed her eyes, her nose and her neck. Their mouths met, barely, at first. The passion escalated as their anxiety faded.

“I love you, Vic. Don’t ever doubt that. You’re the woman I want, nobody else.” He kissed her so passionately, it took her breath away. There was love, lust and fire between them. It couldn’t be denied. Vic and Max were meant to be together. He took her butt in his hands and gave each cheek a squeeze. “Victoria Maria Alonso, I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. You’re my love and my life… forever.”

THE END

Book three in Like Sisters Series is available now at:

http://briamarche.com/books/

Be the first to be notified of new releases at:

http://briamarche.com/newsletter/

Visit my website at:

http://briamarche.com/

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My love, thanks and deep appreciation goes out to all of the people that have supported me from my initial dream of becoming a writer to reading the words “THE END” when I finished my very first novel. There were no scoffs, laughs or negativity. Family and friends continue to help me through constructive criticism, high fives, cheers and words of encouragement. From my editor and cover designer, to my formatter in a faraway country, you have made my journey so much easier. Erik, I appreciate you more than you could imagine. You have been there for me since before I wrote the very first word. Rochelle, you’re the best promoter I could ask for. Photographer, Karen Nelson made the “About the Author” photo of me look great. Plus she is an avid supporter, and my fun loving sister.