Nice Girl (26 page)

I didn’t want to ask this but I needed to.  “Did he ever hurt?”  No, I couldn’t say it.

“Did he ever hurt another woman?”  Anthony asked softly

I nodded.

“No, but not in a physical sense.  I’ve watched him with women that come on to him in bars.  He is rough and he treats them like dirt.  We’re going for total honesty here, Grace, so I’m just going to blurt it out.  It’s not an accident that all he does is fuck women’s mouths and walk away.  He won’t get any closer to a woman than that.  He has been this way for years.  He and I came to a life changing decision when we were both shot.”

“I heard about that story from Jamie.”

“Good because I hate reliving that night.  We saw two of our friends die.   You coming along has forced him to see the other big challenge in his life.”

“Challenge?”

“Letting a woman in.  Caring for a woman.  All the attention he dotes on you is a huge step for him.  Please give him another chance.”

I felt like I was hit with a wall of bricks.  I didn’t know what to say.   

“Anthony, I appreciate this conversation more than you can ever know.  Vinnie has a good friend in you.”  My voice started to shake. “But you do need to give me time to process all of this.”

“I know.  This was a lot of baggage to throw at you.”

“I’m still going to the interview.  This is my college and I can’t make a bad impression.  I’m trying to get into the doctorate program.  I don’t want a reputation that I’m a person who doesn’t follow up with appointments.  Just tell Vinnie I had a school meeting okay?”

“Please don’t leave Grace.  What it will do to Vinnie is not the only reason.  You are an integral part of our business.  You know….. we often have a few situations where we need a female decoy.  You really took to PI work.  I have heard you on the phone with clients.  I would love to expand your job description one day.”

“You really think that in the future I could do some of the surveillance work with you guys?”  I sat up way too excited.

“Yes.  I’m not sure how much Vinnie would allow.  He is very protective of you.  But if the situation was controlled, there have been a few circumstances where we could have used a woman’s help.”

“Did I ever tell you that my favorite show growing up was Charlie’s Angels?”  I grinned.

“You are adorable, Grace.”  He laughed but then his face quickly got serious.  “Think about what I told you about Vinnie.  Now you know the issues he is wrestling with.  Only you can help him move forward.”

“Why only me?”  Damn that was a lot of pressure.

“Because he’s in love with you.”  Then Anthony chastely kissed my forehead and walked away.

I didn’t leave that park bench for another hour.  I wasn’t sure how to move.

Chapter 29

It had to be the most boring job interview for the dullest research assignment ever.  Add to that the most monotone mundane professor I had ever met.

I sat there trying desperately to show interest as he described the research project he was heading up in the fall.  He had one of those voices that are caricatured in silly movies.  The ones where the teacher drones on as the teenagers watch the bell in hopes of getting out of hell.  I couldn’t imagine meeting with him on a weekly basis to go over analyzing his research. 

Still, I was happy I presented myself as a professional.   I wore a navy blazer over a navy shift dress.  I was in a daring mood and didn’t put my hair up like I usually did.  I had some extra time so I tried the Mindy look with lightly teasing the curls.  Not that I was trying to impress this professor.  It wouldn’t have mattered anyway.  He was old as the hill and half blind.  I bet he wouldn’t notice if Miss America walked in the door.

After two days of moping I just wanted to look pretty.  I was also scared to death to see Vinnie today after the last sentence Anthony said before he walked off.

Because he’s in love with you.

In the weeks we had been spending time together, I knew our relationship was growing.  He was always on the quiet side, yet seemed to open up to me when we were alone.  I was surprised at how easily our conversation flowed.  He fascinated me with his stories of growing up in a tough neighborhood.  

Yet he didn’t only talk about himself.  He always wanted to know what I liked or disliked about a song, a movie, a book, or a place.  There were no awkward silences on our “dates”.  I couldn’t believe how comfortable I was with him.  New York City is constantly crowded with people approaching you and invading your space.  He was so big that I always felt secure and safe when I was with him. 

I could swear it was electricity every time he touched me.  Whether it was just his hand on the small of my back or putting his arm around me in the movies that warm fuzzy feeling was always there. 

   The best part of the time I spent with him alone is that I truly felt I could be myself.  He knew I was a naïve Midwestern girl.  There was so much about city life that I didn’t know.  He never made fun of my silly questions.  He was gentle and patient.  Not only was he a great listener but he remembered what I said.  He brought me to a movie I said I was dying to see.  He surprised me with that trip to the crime museum.  He took me to restaurants that served the kind of food I liked. 

Then there was this hero fantasy that seemed to come out of nowhere.  If any man fit the bill for riding in on a white horse to save the damsel in distress, it had to be Vinnie.  I never thought I had it in my feminist attitude to want to be rescued.  I found it ironic that it didn’t bother me.

When I look back, I see how my feelings were changing.  I guess it shouldn’t have been a surprise when Anthony told me how Vinnie felt about me.  I could feel how much Vinnie cared about me.  But love?  I think that was going a little too far.   I couldn’t wait to have hot lusty sex with him.  I know I wasn’t thinking it was love. 

I was too afraid of the risk that was involved in falling in love……and still trying to find a guy who could give me my first orgasm.

Leaving the professor’s office after that horrid interview, I imagined leaving A and V for the research assistantship.  Then it was like a hole in my heart at the idea of not being a part of A and V anymore.  I knew then even if the position was offered to me, I wouldn’t take it. 

I don’t know how things are going to progress with Vinnie and I.  No matter what though, I couldn’t leave.

When I walked into the office, Anthony and Jamal were actually on their way out.

“Hey Grace, how did your meeting go?”  I know Anthony was speaking in code by just the look on his face.

“Ugg.  Totally boring.  I couldn’t wait to get out of there.”

“Well then, we’re glad you’re back.”  Anthony gave me a knowing smile.  “Jamal and I have a meeting at Firestar Insurance.  Jamie and Vinnie are in the conference room with the sales rep from Armory electronics.”

I looked at Jamal as he was licking his fingers.

“Don’t tell me, Jamal.  Luke sent in brownies.”

“Yep!”  Jamal garbled as he obviously hadn’t finished chewing.

“Did you leave any for the rest of us?”  I grinned.

“Don’t worry, Grace.  Jamie said he saved one for you.”  Smiled Anthony.

“Jamal, you are a pig.”  I shouted as they walked out.

“Yes, but you still love me, Grace.”  Jamal shouted back.

I smiled to myself as I walked to my desk.  I can’t believe I ever thought I could leave.

I put my purse under my desk and took off my blazer.  My navy shift dress was a little low cut and the hem on the short side.  The dress needed the blazer over it to look professional.  I decided I was in the mood to be daring.  On impulse, I took my brush out of my purse.  I bent down and vigorously brushed my hair over my head.  Then, I flipped my head back so that my hair would be wilder looking. 

I was ready to walk into the conference room and face Vinnie.

I heard them talking as I got closer to the conference room.  As soon as I recognized Vinnie’s gruff voice, my insides quivered.  The effect that he had on me still amazed me.  Just hearing his voice and my body instantly reacted. 

I stood in the door of the conference room.  The sales rep from Armory electronics had set up equipment all over the conference room table. 

“Look at what this one can do, Vinnie!”  Jamie said excitedly as he and Vinnie were examining a small tablet like computer. 

The guy from Armory electronics noticed me first.

“Well hello!”  He said rather loudly.  He was cute and he had a nice smile.  He didn’t hesitate to walk over to me and hold out his hand.  “I’m Jim Derring.  I didn’t know A and V hired a female PI.”

I shook his hand which I noticed he held onto a little bit longer than necessary while meeting my eyes dead on.  Oh yes, he was flirting.  I hadn’t glanced over at Vinnie yet.

“I’m Grace Locke.  I’m not a PI.  I’m just a poor college student that was desperate for a job. I only started in January.”

“Well since you’re still green, I’m sure you need to learn more about the business.  Why don’t you stay here and have some fun with us?” 

“Naah.”  I laughed.  “Doesn’t look like fun to me.”

“Oh, but I could make it fun.”  Jim said daringly.

Oh my, he was pouring it on thick.  I suddenly got a little nervous because I was definitely not interested in poor Jim.  I glanced over at Vinnie and Jamie.  Vinnie had a scowl and Jamie was obviously amused.

“Good morning to you both.”  I said to Vinnie and Jamie.

“Hey Grace baby, Luke brought in brownies.  I made sure Jamal didn’t eat them all.” chuckled Jamie.

Vinnie didn’t say anything.  I decided to stare him down while I said “You’re the best Jamie.”  I felt immediate desire when we made eye contact.     

“Have fun boys.” I said in a teasing voice as I walked out the door.

I walked into the kitchen area to get a tiny slice of a brownie.  Just cut off a little piece I told myself.  Luke’s brownies were too heavenly.   Since the kitchen area was right behind the conference room, I could hear the conversation easily. 

I thought that Jim was flirting with me.  I wasn’t prepared for the boldness that followed.

“Hey Jamie, is Grace seeing anyone?” Jim asked.

“I don’t think so.”  Jamie said cryptically.

“Yes, she is.”  Vinnie snapped.

“Really Vinnie.  Who?” Now Jamie was starting trouble.  I loved it.

“Well whether she is or she isn’t, I can just steal her away.”  Jim laughed. 

I hate to break it to you Jim.  A computer nerd is not going to steal me away from a guy whose biceps alone make me drool.

“Is that what you think?”  There it was.  The last time I heard Vinnie’s voice so threatening was when he casually told that drunken guy he would break his arm if he didn’t get away from me.  It was that same hostile voice.

Jim even noticed.  “Gosh Vinnie.  I mean no offense.  I just think she’s attractive.”

“Oh don’t mind Vinnie.  He’s protective of Grace.  You know like a
big brother
.”  Jamie emphasized big brother.  That was one of Jamie’s talents.  He wasn’t intimidated by Vinnie.  He knew exactly how to push Vinnie’s buttons. 

“Oh, okay, I get it.”  Jim stammered.  “Don’t worry, Vinnie.  I promise to be a total gentleman.  I’ll give her my cell phone number and let her make the call.”

“No, I don’t think so.” Vinnie said in an angry voice that was too calm.

This was not sounding good.

Jamie must have picked up on the tension.  “Hey Jim, can you show me how this travel memory chip works?” 

Jamie quickly diffused the situation.  Within minutes I heard them talking business again. 

True to his word, an hour later, Jim approached me at my desk while he and Jamie were bringing his equipment back to his work van.   It was kind of awkward because I knew I had no intention of calling him.  Just to be polite, I took his business card where he had also written his cell phone number.

Jamie gave me an apologetic smile and then quickly worked to usher Jim out of there.

“Hey Grace, I’m following Jim in his van because we want to test the equipment at a remote site.  I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

“Testing out new equipment, Jamie?  Don’t act too excited.”

“I know.  I love it!”  Jamie laughed “See you soon.”

“Oh Grace, don’t forget to call.” Said Jim hopefully as he walked out.

Jamie stopped at the door. “One more thing, Grace.  Do me a favor and hide the rest of the brownies from Jamal.  I want to see the look on his face when he comes back and finds them all gone.”

“You are cruel, Jamie.” I laughed as I headed back to the kitchen.

I passed by Vinnie’s office without a glance.  I was now realizing it was just him and me alone in the office.  That thought gave me goose bumps all over.  When I reached the kitchen, I quickly covered the brownies with plastic wrap.  Then I cleared out one of the top cabinets so I could hide them in the very back.  All the while, I kept going back and forth in my head on how I should approach Vinnie.

Talking to Anthony about what Vinnie went thru growing up affected me deeply.   Vinnie’s scar is an everyday reminder of his mother’s abandonment.   I see now why Vinnie put up such hard emotional walls when it came to relationships with women. 

During my long chat with Anthony it has become apparent that I am breaking down those walls.  He is kind and gentle with me.  Amusingly, his protectiveness has somehow fed a hero fantasy in me which I never knew I had.   There was definitely something strong building between us….and it was real. 

Whatever was going to happen last Saturday night, I know Vinnie would never hurt me. I’m not sure if he still has it in his head that we can only be friends.  I was contemplating in my mind how I was going to find out.

As I walked back down the hall, I noticed that his office door was almost closed.  One of the informal rules we have at A and V is that a door is not closed unless there is a client meeting.  Otherwise the only other time a door was closed was when Carmella used to come and visit Anthony.  Office doors always remained open.  The guys were constantly going back and forth between their offices to discuss various cases.  I was curious as to why Vinnie had decided to shut his door almost completely.