“You look stunning.” Tony said, opening the door for Cori when she returned to Thorne. “Blackthorne’s a lucky man, kid.”
“Thank you, Tony,” she replied, kissing his cheek.
It was well after six in the evening, and it was oddly quiet in the building for a Tuesday evening. Cori was somewhat relieved. Though she knew she looked nice, stunning according to Tony, she felt a little insecure about her new look and wondered what Nick would think. She shouldn’t care – this was all just a game – but she did.
“There was a delivery while you were gone. It’s on your desk. I locked your door – it seemed…valuable.” He smiled, nodding toward the elevator, encouraging her to go up and check it out.
“Oh. Well, I suppose I can go put some of these things away and check it out.” She left most of her things with James to take home for her but still had more than she needed for an evening out. Truth be told, she needed a minute to regroup. Something about being in the building and knowing Nick would arrive at any moment was starting to stir something like butterflies – nervous little butterflies.
Her office was a nice reprieve. Everyone had already left for the day, so she had a moment to collect herself and do a final check in her mirror, uninterrupted. She was curious about the delivery Tony mentioned, though, and found it in the middle of her desk as he promised. It was a nondescript box, chocolate brown in color, with a bright pink satin ribbon wrapped around it and ended in a bow.
Inside she found another box. One of those boxes that every woman recognized. A black velvet box. She sat and stared at it – did she dare open it? What did this even mean? The dress was one thing but now jewelry? This didn’t feel much like something you exchange when plotting a little scheme. This felt like something else.
She started with the mall envelope that lay on top of the velvet box, and pulled out the card.
It goes with the dress – called in another favor – I hope you like it. -Nick
“How many favors does this guy have out there?” she asked herself as she opened the box and let out a long breathy sigh.
Two quick rings on her desk phone had her attention, “Hello?”
“Your gentleman has arrived. Shall I send him up?” Tony questioned; his smile could be heard in his voice.
“No. No need. I’ll be right down.”
Gathering her evening bag and the box, she made her way downstairs. When the elevator doors opened to the lobby, she was met with a low, slow whistle, compliments of Tony. He had already seen her and commented on her look, so she knew it was just for dramatic affect. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he was trying his hand at playing matchmaker.
What really had her attention, however, was the man standing next to him in a black suit, holding a bouquet of varying shades of peonies. Her favorite. His clean-shaven face revealed a strong chiseled jaw attached to that smile that surely got him anything he wanted. Now, she recognized him and would have the other day at the park, had it not been for the beard.
She smiled shyly back at him as she made her way across the corridor, wondering what he was thinking. Why did this feel like he was picking her up for the homecoming dance or something? It was silly to feel so giddy and young. Maybe this is the part everyone said she had been missing. The excitement, thrill…and joy of it all.
“You clean up pretty nice, Blackthorne,” she said with a wink.
“I-I didn’t think you could look any…uh…more…nicer, but uh…wow,” he stammered while kicking himself for sounding like such an idiot. “I mean, you look beautiful, Cori.”
His expression shifted from dreamy to confused. “You’re not wearing the necklace. You didn’t like it?”
“Oh.” She held up the box, nearly forgetting that she had it. “I loved it, but I can’t accept it. It’s gorgeous, but it’s too much. What if I lose it or something? I could never replace…”
“Wear it. It’s insured. And it’s yours, at least, for tonight.”
“I’ve never held something this extravagant, much less worn it. It’s too much.”
“What if I told you it was fake. Plastic stones, and the rest will turn your neck green if you’re caught in the rain.”
“You’d be lying.”
“Do you know that for sure?” he shrugged.
She handed him the box and turned, lifting her hair so he could fasten the necklace. Quick to catch on, he was all hands with the flowers until Tony took them for him and gave him a nod. When she turned back around, her hand touching the necklace, her gaze was locked with his.
“I’ll, uh…just put these in water and take them upstairs for you, honey,” Tony offered.
Without breaking the stare, she smiled and softly said, “Uh huh…they’re lovely. Pink peonies are my favorite; thank you."
“Shall we?” He extended his arm for her to take and led them out of the building to the waiting car.
Tony hollered, “Have a nice time, you two.”
To which he received a wave, tossed in the air because words were absent between the two who’d yet to look away from one another or stop smiling.
***
Mangenello’s was an Italian New York hotspot. Anyone who was anyone ate there, if for no other reason than to be seen. That alone could put you on the map and get you in socialite circles. There was a waiting list that was typically months long, but of course, Nick had a favor to call in.
This place was so exclusive that you didn’t check in for your reservation inside; only those with verified reservations and likely the commitment of their first born were allowed through those doors. With his hand at the small of her back, he led her to the podium where they knew Nick by name and escorted them right in. He must be a frequent diner, she thought.
“Hold my arm,” he whispered.
She tossed him a confused look, unable to hear him over the volume of chatter once inside. “Huh?”
He smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek but first whispered into her ear, “Hold my hand or my arm…need to look together.”
“Oh!” She quickly grabbed his arm, and he laced his fingers through hers and pulled her hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of her hand.
An intimate move, she thought, but it was selling because all eyes were on them as they crossed the restaurant. He was good. Maybe even better than she was.
Led right to their seats, a corner table with as much privacy as a booming place like this could provide, Cori felt out of place. She couldn’t afford an ice water here, much less a meal. Despite her portrayal of a cultured, well to do New Yorker, she hadn’t a clue what to order, what wine went with what, or even how to address the staff. This wasn’t Mr. Chang’s Chinese food from below her apartment.
“Do you mind if I order the wine? Or, do you have a preference?” he asked.
She assumed he was just being kind and gentlemanly but wondered if it was obvious she hadn’t a clue what she was doing, and that he was just doing her a solid to avoid any embarrassment. “Oh, go right ahead. I don’t have a preference, whatever you like.”
“And dinner?” he asked.
“Well, I thought I was going to order spaghetti and meatballs, but I don’t see that on the menu,” she laughed.
“Don’t be fooled by the menu…it’s just a bunch of fancy words for regular food. Try the Bolognese; it’s pretty close to what you’re looking for. Personally, I’d rather have pizza and beer, but that wouldn’t be a very nice first date.”
“I would have loved it. Pizza is my favorite.”
Of course, it was, he thought. She wasn’t the fussy type and was down to earth. “Next time? We’re a little over dressed for Gino’s Pizza.”
“Next time?” she questioned with a raised brow, “Are you over there plotting, Blackthorne? Next time implies assuming this one goes over well.”
“Isn’t it so far?”
“So far…we’ll see how this fancy spaghetti plays out.”
He laughed at her teasing, a sound that rippled through her and landed deep in her belly, causing her to cross her legs a little tighter. How his laugh evoked that reaction was beyond her, and she would make note to cool her tits later. This couldn’t go there.
The waiter left their table with their order, promising a quick return with their wine.
“Oh!” he said, quick to reach inside his suit jacket. He pulled out a little black velvet box, a pattern it seemed. “Your ring came back,” he said, air quotes surrounding his words.
“My what?” When she saw it, it dawned on her; her imaginary engagement ring that was off at the jeweler being sized, wasn’t so imaginary now. “You don’t have to do that, Nick. Seriously, you don’t…”
He interrupted her by shaking his head and lightly nodding his head to the left, sending her attention that direction. She stuck her left hand out in Nick’s direction while plastering on the biggest fake smile she could muster up. Headed their way was Winnie and Phillip.