Unexpected Mr. Right (5 page)

"Sure,” Nico replied standing up, grabbing their wine glasses in one hand, the bottle in his other one.

Waves of delight swept through her. Having Nico as a friend felt good. Her mind and body felt so loose and calm spending time with a man without wondering, wishing if he was the one for her. This was the best choice she could have made for herself. For once she wasn't thinking of her future, just living in the moment. “The sliding glass door is off the living room.

Go ahead and go out. I need to grab a sweatshirt."

She watched him walk through the kitchen, stepping out seconds later. “Take your time,” Nico called after her when she started to walk down the hall towards her bedroom.

"I'll be just a minute.” She stepped into her room leaving him alone, closing the door behind her. Tabby took the time to quickly brush her teeth in the bathroom connected to her bedroom. Not that she'd be kissing anyone tonight but she still didn't want to fire garlic breath at him when they talked either. Then she walked over to her antique dresser and pulled out one of her comfy, warm sweatshirts and put it on.

What would Brianna and Kaylee think if they knew she would be lounging on her balcony, sipping wine and chatting with Nico tonight? Of course they'd support her no matter what. She knew her friends loved her and liked Nico a lot but they still wouldn't trust her not to get her heart involved. They loved her so much they would worry she'd end up hurt, that she couldn't keep herself from falling for him because they knew how much she wanted her happily ever after.

This time was different. Going into a friendship knowing the man involved wasn't for her was different than going into a relationship praying that he would be her soul mate.

Running a hand through her newly cropped hair she went to join Nico on the balcony. He sat in one of her white chairs leaning back, his feet propped on one of the spare chairs.

"You have a lot of white stuff.” He pulled out her chair for her and she sat down.

"I do?” She'd never really noticed before.

"Yep. White chairs here, in your kitchen, your carpet, the sexy little robe you wore the other night."

She wanted to say “so” but she didn't. What he meant by this she had no clue. “I like white. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"No. I just didn't know you were so vanilla."

"Hey. I'm not vanilla.” They weren't talking about ice cream here and they both knew it but she continued with the analogy anyway. “I'll have you know I can be just as chocolate or rocky road as the next girl."

He had the gall to laugh. Then he leaned his chair back so it sat on the back legs only. “You are so are no rocky road. Maybe vanilla with a couple sprinkles on top but that's as crazy as you get."

He baited her and she knew it. Unfortunately should couldn't keep herself from taking said bait. “Well maybe I'll have to find a way to show you I'm not vanilla with sprinkles."

"Maybe you will.” His cocky tone said it all. She walked right into a trap set by a master hunter.

"What are you going to do to prove it to me?"

Well she hadn't thought that far. This flirtatiousness wasn't her style so now she didn't know what to do or say. She couldn't do what he wanted her to do which was no doubt something out of character for her, like kiss him or something. At a loss, and a little miffed about it she said, “I have no idea."

Nico shook his head a small chuckle slipping from his lips. “Maybe one day, Slugger. Here, I poured you another glass.” He handed her a glass of wine.

She had a feeling for some reason he wanted to let her off easy. Thankfully she took his out. “Thanks. Dinner was great. I wish I could cook like that."

"You don't cook?"

"I do, but not very well. Most of my meals consist of takeout or something I can throw together easily."

"Not your thing?"

"I don't know if that's really what it is or just the fact that I've never taken the time to learn.” As an adult she never learned because she didn't have anyone to cook for besides herself. What was the fun in that?

"You're mom never taught you?” He sounded shocked but that didn't surprise her. From what Kaylee said he and Luciano came from a very close knit family.

"She didn't have time."

"What's your excuse now?"

"I guess I don't have one. Just haven't learned."

Nico shook his head at her. “That's a crime. You're going to have to let me show you how."

"What would you show me? Cooking for one?” she snickered when she spoke.

"No smart-aleck. I'd just show you some of the basics. Teach you how to make a few things. Cooking for one is no different than cooking for more besides the fact that you're cooking less.” She looked over at him. “And if you're looking for someone to cook for there's always me."

"Cooking for a chef?"

"Even chefs need a break."

She shrugged her shoulders not letting her excitement show. Who wouldn't want to learn to cook like Nico? “Sure sounds like fun."

His voice lowered an octave. “I can promise you it will be a good time. That's my specialty."

"Showing women a good time is your specialty? I'm not sure you should be bragging about that."

"You give me a hard time but you're the one who always has her mind in the gutter. First orgasms, now this. I was talking about cooking.” He winked at her.

He excelled at turning things around. Everything she said he turned into something sexual but he made it so she felt she was the one who couldn't stop thinking about jumping into bed. She smiled internally at his antics. He was right, she did need to lighten up. When she did she realized she actually enjoyed this little back and forth game they played. “Did you take a flirting 101 class or are you this good on your own?"

He shrugged his shoulders. “I'm just this good on my own, Slugger.” “I really wish you'd stop calling me that.” Every time he did the nickname reminded her how horrible she'd been to him. “I could always call you the Great Bambino if you preferred.” “The great who?” She had no idea who that was but the name didn't sound much better than Slugger.

"Babe Ruth. They used to call him the Great Bambino."

"Let me get this straight, you either want to name me after an old baseball player or a ten year old boy. Now I see what you really think of me."

Nico laughed. “Believe me. I know you're a woman. That isn't something I'm likely to forget."

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No way could he forget her feminine appeal. Especially when she looked at him the way she was right now. Her big eyes wide with shock and desire. He didn't understand her shock. She knew him well enough to know he wanted her and he wouldn't shy away from admitting it. Hell, he'd remind her every chance he had. That's just the way he was. And she liked it. She may not want to admit it but she did. He could see it in her eyes, in the way the pulse in her throat beat rapidly, the way her hands shifted nervously. God he wanted this woman. Every sassy, sexy inch of her.

"I feel bad."

"Feel bad about what?” he asked.

"Hitting you. I never should have done that. Not that I'm looking for an excuse but it happened in the heat of the moment. I'm sorry."

She sipped a drink of her wine. Nico watched her pink tongue sneak out and lick a stray drop off her lip. Oh yeah. He knew she was a woman alright. He lifted his eyes from her lips before he did something stupid like kiss her. They were finally starting to make some headway and he knew enough to know kissing her would be a bonehead move on his part. “Don't feel bad. There are plenty of times in my life I probably deserved to be slapped and never was. You can say you're the lucky woman who got the privilege of the job."

"Yeah but you didn't deserve it that time."

"No I didn't. But don't worry. I'll let you make it up to me.” He couldn't wait.

Tabby walked into Luciano's the following Friday. The night before, Nico left her apartment not long after she finished apologizing for smacking him. It felt good to get it off her chest. Even if he continued to call her Slugger, which knowing Nico he would, she felt better having talked to him about it. She held guilt about it since the day it happened.

Kaylee already sat at the table sipping a water when she walked in. “Hey, girl."

"Hey. How ya been? Anything new?"

Tabby automatically shuffled her hands nervously. Kaylee asked an innocent question but her guilt made sweat bead on her forehead regardless. She never was the best at keeping secrets. Especially from her best friends. Was she suspicious of anything? Did she know? Questions clouded her brain and kept her from answering. She knew if she opened her mouth something stupid would come out.

"Hello? Is everything okay?” Kaylee asked waving a hand in front of Tabby's face.

"Sorry. Just spacing. I had a long day at work."

Kaylee looked concerned but didn't say anything. Thank God for small favors. She didn't know if she could flat out lie to her friends. Right now at least she was only lying by omission. Like that's any better. Tabby pulled out her chair and sat down. It's not like what she was doing was a big deal. But then, they might not see it as hanging with a friend, not with Nico's or her own track record with dating.

"I guess we better be glad it's Friday then."

"You can say that again,” just as Tabby finished her sentence Bri sat down at the table.

"I'm sure as hell glad it's Friday. Now where are our martinis?” Bri asked with a smile.

"I don't know but I need one.” Tabby felt strange about tonight. She wasn't sure how to act around Nico. Well she knew how she should act, normal. It's not as if anything happened with them but she still felt a little weird. Maybe because there was a big secret between the two of them that no one else knew. That had to be it. As if their waiter read her mind he came out with their martinis. Tabby drank half of hers in one quick gulp.

"Um, you okay over there? You're drinking like a college girl at a dorm party.” Bri gave her a curious look.

"I'm fine. Like I said it's been a long day.” Plus I spent half of last night flirting, eating and drinking wine with Nico and I can't tell you about it. Still I don't know why I'm tripping. All I did is spend time with a friend. That's what they agreed on and that's all they did.

"If you say so. Hey, here comes the Italian Stud,” Bri pointed across the restaurant to Luciano. That quickly, the conversation switched. Luciano joined them at the table. Not too much longer and Nico would be out as well. Goosebumps pebbled on her skin at the thought. She looked forward to Friday's at Luciano's, the way they were before she started being such a bitch to him. Now they could spend time together like they used to, laughing and talking without tension clouding the air. Tension she caused but that was besides the point.

"Hello, Bella.” Luciano kissed Kaylee before sitting down. “Ladies,” he tilted his head toward Bri and Tabby.

"You two are disgustingly in love,” Brianna pointed to the couple. “Shouldn't you be over the kissy-face stage by now?"

"No!” Tabby answered for them. “You should never get over that stage. Kissing is one of the most sensual ways to show your affection for someone. When I'm with someone I never tire of kissing them.” Nico happened to walk up just as she finished speaking.

"You see, now there's something we have in common, Slugger. I've been told I'm an exceptional kisser,” his dimple shown when he stretched his mouth into a seductive smile.

"Are you forgetting I've had experience with your kissing first hand?” she asked deciding to be a little playful. She really felt so much better being friends with him again. She didn't want to admit it but she'd missed not having to act mad when he flirted with her.

"No way could I forget that. I was just trying to see if you agreed.” He set plates in front of her friends. When he did Tabby realized they weren't alone. How could she have forgotten that? Brianna, Kaylee and even Luciano looked at her like she had four eyes popping out of her head.

"What the hell? Did I step into the twilight zone?” Bri asked. “Normally you'd be biting his head off by now."

Oops. Tabby didn't know how to respond to her friend. Should she tell them about that chat and that they made up? That might lead into territory she didn't want to cover so instead of saying anything she took another drink of her martini.

Obviously seeing her distress, Nico saved her by responding. “Tab and I came to a mutual agreement. We're right as rain."

"Well halle-freaking-lujah.” Brianna clapped her hands.

"Leave me alone you, bully,” Tabby teased. “I wasn't that bad to him."

"You weren't the nicest, Sweetie,” Kaylee added. They were the only two people in the world who could tell her like it is and she knew it came from the heart. And she knew they were right. Her comment reiterated how unfairly she treated Nico, making her feel bad all over again. He was right. She really did need to figure out a way to make it up to him. Just not the way he wanted her too.

"Well, we're fine now,” Nico sat next to her at the table.

"Yeah, I can see that,” Brianna added.

Okay, time to change the subject. Tabby didn't want to give her friends the chance to ask any questions. “I bet your mom is getting so excited for the wedding, Kaylee.” They'd just begun to rebuild their relationship around the time Kaylee finally admitted that she was in love with Luciano. In fact, seeing her mother fall in love had enabled Kaylee to finally go for what she wanted, Luciano.

Her question provided the perfect distraction as Kaylee began to talk about her mom and then the wedding. Without being obvious, Tabby sneaked a quick glance at Nico. He offered a wink telling her he knew what she was up to. Try as she might she couldn't hold in her smile. He always seemed to do that to her.

"What's the smile for? You look like you're up to something,” Bri said with suspicion.

Yeah, she really sucked at this incognito thing. Not only that but all of a sudden Brianna decided to turn into Magnum PI. “Nothing. You know how much I love weddings. I'm just excited to hear if Kaylee and Luciano have made any more decisions.” Tabby took a bite of the Italian sausage off her plate.