Say Nothing... (The Speak Series Book 2) (24 page)

"Maybe he can give you a ride to London in his private jet." She smirks giving me a quick kiss. I deepen it, making her hum in appreciation. Just as she's really getting into it, I pull away and walk back to my suitcases.

"Very funny. Now, stop distracting me, so I can finish up."

"Payback's a bitch, Mr. Rodriguez," she says scowling at me.

I love teasing her. "I look forward to it."

Sleep didn't come easy. I tossed and turned thinking about Ben's impending trip; add in the info Maria threw at me yesterday, and I'm surprised I managed the four hours I did get. I've tried not to think about Amos' intentions with me; why anyone would follow someone for seven years without saying a word is beyond my comprehension. I think back to his intense gaze when he speaks to me; possessiveness stirs behind those eyes that I've never realized until now. For the first time in the last few days, I'm glad Ben is leaving. It will give me time to sort this out and to somehow confront my demons without hurting the person I love in the process.

"So you're ditching me today?" I look up from the box I've been staring into and see Natalie standing in front of my desk with her arms crossed.

"Yeah, sorry. A friend of ours is graduating tonight."

"Aww, man, I was hoping to try out one of those restaurants back there," she says pointing over her shoulder.

"Why don't you see if Jeremy is free?" I waggle my eyebrows making her laugh.

"He's hot, but I don't want to date anyone I work with. I'll just have fun enjoying the extra view." His office sits right in front of her desk.

"What's the fun in that," I tease.

"Ugh, I know." She groans. "I really need to meet someone. There are like a million people in this building. I'm bound to have some luck, right?"

"Are you kidding me? Go sit in the courtyard. I'll bet you money you'll have a marriage proposal by the end of the day."

"You know how to stroke a girl's ego, Ari. We're going to be really good friends," she says walking back to her desk.

I'm in my car and on the road by 12:15 pm; coffee has been my friend today. I stopped by Starbucks on my way out and had them add an extra shot of espresso. Thankfully, traffic is clear, and I make it home in time to get ready without having to rush. By this time next week, I'll be the only one left in town. I'm about to turn the radio on to shake me out of my impending funk when my phone rings. Vonne's name flashes across the screen.

"Yes."

"I'm leaving work, going home to change, and then I'm getting on the train. You guys still coming for me?" she asks nervously.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm headed home now too. I just need to change, and Ben and I are planning to head out before traffic gets crazy. We'll be there. Are you still getting in at four thirty?"

"Yeah, I checked the schedule and all the trains are running on time."

"Cool, then we'll see you later." There's a pause.

"I'm nervous."

"Why?"

"We're really doing this. Eli and me."

"Okay, and we've talked about this already."

"I know, but he followed me up to San Diego on Sunday, and we've had the best three days, Ari. I can't mess this up. Tell me again I can make this work."

Vonne is the most confident person I know. She sets her sights on something and goes for it. The girl is fearless, so hearing the panic in her voice over this throws me.

"You got this. I told you to just take it day by day. That's all you can do," I reassure her.

"Okay, I'll see you later. Four thirty?"

"Four thirty. Got it."

Ben is asleep on the couch when I walk in; he looks so peaceful, and if we weren't on such a tight schedule, I'd let him continue sleeping. He stirs when I close the door.

"Shit. What time is it?" he asks, running a hand through his hair.

"About one thirty. I'm just going to change then we can get on the road."

"Okay, I'll get up. What time do we have to get Vonne?"

"Four thirty."

Last night was rough. Every time I closed my eyes, the bed would shift. Ari was restless and talked in her sleep most of the night. I made breakfast, sat on the couch to watch a show, and must have dozed off. She doesn't look any better; the dark circles she's trying to hide with makeup are a dead giveaway, but I wouldn't dare tell her.

Splashing some cold water on my face helps to wake me up. Sensing the anxiety in Eli's voice over Vonne meeting his parents makes me move a little quicker. I don't want to add to his anxiety by being late.

"Is this okay?" Ari asks, standing in the hall. Stepping away from the sink, I move out of the bathroom to get a better look. She could wear a trash bag and look beautiful.

"You look gorgeous, as usual." Giving her a quick kiss, I walk toward the bedroom. "Let me change and we'll get on the road."

"I'll wait in the living room."

We make it to Downtown Fullerton without incident. Leaving early was the smartest thing we could have done. Having an hour and a half to waste before Vonne gets in, we decide to go to Slide Bar to grab a bite to eat.

The hostess greets us and we're seated on the outdoor patio facing the arriving trains. Ari sends Vonne a text letting her know we're just across the parking lot should her train arrive early. Quickly looking over the menu, we place our orders and settle into our chairs. Ari yawns and I follow suit.

"Stop that. It's contagious," I mock. She stretches, shaking her arms out a little.

"Sorry. The nap in the car helped, but I swear I could've stayed asleep for the rest of the night."

"I don't know how you were able to wake up this morning," I say bringing her hand into mine.

"Two cups of coffee with a couple of shots of espresso. That's how," she says through another yawn. "So have you talked to Eli?"

"Yeah, he called on his drive back from Vonne's."

"Vonne's a hot mess. How is he holding up?"

"He's doing about the same. It's been a while since he's introduced anyone to his parents, and he's leaving tomorrow. He has a lot going on."

The waitress brings out our order, and we waste no time digging in. We're almost done with our food when we notice Vonne walking toward our table.

"Hey, guys."

"Wow, you're here really early," Ari says checking the time.

"Yeah, this train didn't make many stops. It was almost a straight shot."

"Do you want to order something? We have some time before we need to head out," I ask.

"I could use a stiff drink," she says nervously bouncing her knee.

"That's probably not the best idea. Let me order you something." Vonne rolls her eyes as Ari flags down our waitress.

"So give it to me straight, Ben. How bad are they going to hate me?" Vonne asks making me laugh.

Like my mother, Marie Montenegro is very protective of her only son. He hasn't brought anyone home since his high school sweetheart, Lisa. She took the breakup even worse than Eli. From what my mother has said, she was already planning the wedding and grandchildren. I don't envy Vonne today; she's right to be nervous. Our mothers are tough to win over. She's nervously biting her thumbnail, waiting for my answer.

"I'm not going to lie. Marie is a tough cookie, but she'll come around. Just be yourself, and you'll win her over." Ari whacks me in the arm.

"Ouch, what was that for?"

"You're not helping," she says scowling. I look over at Vonne, and her eyes are the size of saucers as she stands.

"I'm gonna go. This is stupid. What the hell was I thinking? I'm not the girlfriend type, and I'm going to make an ass out of myself. I know it." Ari grabs her by the wrist before she can get away.
Oh, shit.
She wasn't lying when she said she was worse off than Eli was.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it worse. Don't go. Eli will never forgive me if he found out my big mouth made you run. Listen, you just have to act like your charming self and they'll have no choice but to love you."

I leave out the fact that Eli's dad is a womanizing asshole. So when I say they, I really mean just Eli's dad. Marie will be threatened by her beauty while Rodrigo, Eli's dad, will probably spend most of the evening trying to charm his way into her panties.

"Come on. Just sit and eat a little something. We have a long night ahead of us, and I know for a fact you don't eat when you're nervous," Ari pleads. Vonne scowls at her but reluctantly sits.

Finally getting the waitress’s attention, Ari orders her the same taco plate we just finished and a glass of wine. Seeing her little freak-out probably made her reconsider that drink. A plate of food and two glasses of wine later, Vonne finally seems to settle. As she sips the last of her wine, her phone alerts her of a text.

"Eli wants us to meet him before the ceremony." Panic is once again evident in her eyes.

We quickly settle the bill and head over to the campus. The ceremony is being held on the main field. Wanting to spend more time with Vonne, Eli decided to forgo the smaller ceremony held for his department this morning. Instead, he is attending the main ceremony. I see at least two and half hours of sitting in our future.

After what feels like a ten-mile trek through the campus, we finally reach the field. Vonne is a nervous wreck, and I know exactly how she feels. Hell, I'm a little nervous, and Eli isn't even my boyfriend. I know how horrible my first meeting with Elizabeth was; I'm just hoping it goes smoother than that for her.