The next morning was a work day, but I didn’t have to be there until noon. I dragged my ass out of bed and got out of my evening gown. I was thankful he didn’t undress me; okay, maybe I wanted him to because the moments we shared on the beach were something that I never wanted to forget. I felt something change in him last night.
I stood under the hot water and let it overtake me. I couldn’t stop thinking about Connor and how sweet and gentle he was with me last night. I exposed my deepest secret to him, and now regret was settling in. I shouldn’t have shown him that side of me; it was too dangerous. I dressed in my leggings and long tunic top, put my hair up in a ponytail, and headed to the kitchen to make some coffee. I couldn’t shake the feeling of stupidity for telling him; sometimes I just don’t know when to keep my mouth shut.
As I waited for the coffee to brew, I went into my purse and grabbed my phone; there was a text message from Connor.
“Hi, I hope you slept well. I just wanted to see if you were up and how you were feeling.”
A small smile escaped me as I replied, “Good morning, Connor. I slept well, and I’m feeling fine. Thank you for your concern. I hope you have a terrific day, and don’t work too hard!”
“I’m glad you’re feeling fine, and I always work hard; it’s why I’m as successful as I am.”
“I believe that, and thank you for taking care of me last night. I owe you one!”
“Consider it repayment for when you got me home safe. I have a meeting that I need to get to. TTYL!”
“Bye, Connor.”
I poured some coffee into a mug that read: “I’m not gay, but my ex-boyfriend is,” compliments of Peyton. I walked over at the desk that housed my laptop, opened the drawer, and took out the piece of paper that sat neatly on top of a magazine. I looked over the paper and, with a pen, I scribbled on it and put it back in its place until I needed it again.
I stepped outside and walked down the street. I had an hour before I had to be at work, so I decided to walk the few blocks it took to get there. The air was cooler today as the sun hid behind a stream of clouds. Today was a different sight than it had been in months. People had broken into their fall wardrobes and pulled out their chilly-day clothes. Pants, long sleeves, cardigans, and light jackets graced the streets of New York City as people prepared for the arrival of fall.
I passed Starbucks on my way to work and, of course, I had to stop, as I needed more caffeine. I walked in and stood in a line that took up half the café. I reached in my bag and grabbed my phone; I promised Peyton I would call and tell her about last night. I dialed her number and waited for her to answer. After a few rings, it went to voicemail.
“Hey, Peyton, it’s me. I had a fabulous time last night with Connor. I’m on my way to work. Call me later for girl talk. Love you.”
It was finally my turn as I ordered a Grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte. I paid the barista, walked outside with my coffee in hand, and made my way to work. As I walked down the crowded street, I noticed a black limo parked across from a tall building. The limo door opened as a familiar woman got out, and then came Connor, following her and adjusting his tie. My stomach felt sick, and my heart started racing; not out of passion, but out of nerves. He looked over and saw me standing there a few feet away. I couldn’t let him know the rage and jealousy I was feeling at that moment, seeing them together, so I smiled and waved just like any friend would do. His face looked pained when he saw me. He didn’t smile back; he could only manage a small wave. They walked up to the tall building and went inside. As I walked past, I noticed the name of the business on the large double doors: Black Enterprises. I never realized that was what this building was as I passed it all the time.
I continued walking as a wave of betrayal coursed through my veins. There was no reason for me to feel this way. Connor and I were friends and nothing more; there could never be more. I struggled with my emotions all the way to work and tried to reason with myself that he did nothing wrong. If he and I were going to remain friends, then I would have to get used to seeing him with other women. He wasn’t mine, and I wasn’t his. I kept saying that as I finally arrived at work.
It was a slow day at work, which sucked because it gave me more time to think about Connor and the tall, beautiful woman that got out of the limo. I had no right to even think about them, but after the moment we shared last night, I couldn’t help but wonder that maybe he had feelings for me. Who was I kidding? Connor Black was a player, and I’d already been warned about him. I needed to do some serious soul-searching, and the best place to do that was at my favorite pizza place.
The work day finally ended. I grabbed my phone and purse and headed out the door. I came to a standstill when I saw Denny leaning up against the limo parked at the curb. I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Hi, Denny, what are you doing here?” I curiously asked.
“Hello, Miss Lane. Mr. Black sent me to pick you up and take you to the restaurant where he will meet you in fifteen minutes for dinner.”
“Is that so?” I asked as I put my hands on my hips. He looked at me with a smirk on his face because he knew what was coming next.
“You can tell Mr. Black that I’m not available this evening. I have other plans.”
I started walking away as I turned my head back. “Also, tell him that if he wants to have dinner with me, then he can pick up the phone and ask me himself.” I put my hand up and waved. “Bye, Denny! Have a great night.”
Pizzapopolous was a couple of blocks away, and the chilly evening air was settling in. I sat down at a table close to the window and opened the menu. The restaurant was small with about twenty tables that took up the space. The white walls were decorated with photographs of all the celebrities that had dined there. The tables were decorated with red and white gingham tablecloths and white napkins. The atmosphere was casual and quaint, and they had the best pizza.
I was digging through my purse for my phone when I saw the shadow of someone sit down across from me. I looked up and there was Connor, glaring at me. I rolled my eyes.
“So, this is where you want to have dinner?” he asked.
I tilted my head to the side and looked at his smoldering face. “Yes, Connor, this is where I’m having dinner tonight, and I don’t believe you were invited.”
He put his hand over his heart. “Ouch, that stings, Ellery. I invited you to dinner, and you turned me down, so I took it upon myself to join you.”
“How do you know I want company?”
He put his hands on the table and folded them. “I don’t, but since I’m here, we might as well dine together,” he said as he looked around the restaurant.
The whole point of this dinner was for me to do some soul-searching, and that was going to be extremely hard with him sitting across from me.
The waitress came over and started drooling when she asked Connor what he would like to order. He looked the menu up and down and decided on a salad. I looked at him and grabbed the menu out of his hand.
“You can’t sit in a pizza place and only get a salad.”
I looked at the waitress and cleared my throat to divert her attention away from Connor. “We’ll have a large deep dish with pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olives, and a large antipasto salad with an order of bread sticks.”
Connor brought his finger up and rested it on his lips. “Do you actually think I’m going to eat that pizza?”
“I don’t think you are; I know you are.” I smiled.
I set my phone on the table and looked at him. If he so rudely wanted to interrupt my dinner plans, then he’d have to answer some questions. “Who’s that woman that you’re always with?” The words just came out before I could think about them. He shifted in his seat.
“She’s a friend, Ellery,” he answered my question softly. I knew he was lying. Perhaps she was a friend, but what kind of friend was what I wanted to know.
“What kind of friend, Connor?”
His green eyes turned dark as he glared at me. “She doesn’t matter, Ellery; she’s a friend, and that’s all you need to know.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I think after what I told you last night, you would be willing to tell me a few things.”
“I’m not in the habit of discussing my personal life. It’s called ‘personal’ for a reason, Ellery.”
He didn’t realize it, but at that moment, he made a decision for me. The waitress brought our pizza and put it in the middle of the table along with the salad and bread sticks. I picked up a slice of pizza with the spatula and put it on his plate. He sighed and grabbed his fork and knife.
“What, are you kidding me?! Put that down right now, Connor Black!”
He looked startled. “What? What the hell is wrong?”
I leaned over the table and grabbed the fork and knife out of his hand. “You are not eating pizza with a fork and knife.”
“Then how the hell am I supposed to eat it?”
He was so damn sexy at that moment. I picked up my pizza and took a bite. With a mouthful, I said, “Like this; pick it up and bite into it.”
“That’s disgusting, and don’t talk with your mouth full.”
“If you won’t do it, then I will.” I picked up the pizza from his plate and held it up to his mouth. “Bite,” I demanded.
He raised his eyebrows at me. “Do you have any idea how sexy that sounds?” He winked.
I couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh as I hit him on his arm. He rolled his eyes—which was sexy as hell—opened his mouth, and took a bite of the pizza. I smiled as I put the pizza back on his plate.
“My turn.” He smiled.
“Your turn for what?”
He took the pizza from my plate and held it up.
“Bite,” he demanded.
I took a bite, and a wide grin graced his perfect face. I thought that might have been the first time since I’d known him that I’d seen him smile like that. It was the most beautiful and warm smile that I’d ever seen, and it made my heart flutter.
We ate more pizza, talked, and ate some salad. The waitress kept walking by our table, giving Connor flirtatious smiles.
“Don’t you ever get sick and tired of all the ogling you get from women?”
He laughed. “Don’t you get sick of all the ogling you get from men?”
I twisted my face in confusion. “I don’t get that.”
“Yes you do, Ellery; I see it every time I’m with you. The only difference is men are more discreet about it than women are.”
I never noticed men ogling me before; I’d have to start paying more attention. As we were laughing and enjoying our conversation, my phone rang; it was my Aunt Patti’s number. I looked at Connor. “I have to get this.” He nodded his head and took out his phone.
“Hello,” I answered. The voice on the other end was my cousin Debbie.
“Ellery, it’s Debbie. I wanted to let you know that Mom and Dad were...” She started sobbing. “They were in a car accident, and they were both killed.”
Her sobs grew harder as a tear fell down my cheek. Connor looked at me and reached for my hand resting on the table. “Debbie, I’m so sorry; I will be there as soon as I can.”
“Thank you, Elle. I’ll call you with the details.”
I hung up and looked at Connor, who was staring at me with a worried look in his eyes. “Ellery, what happened?”
“My aunt and uncle were killed in a car accident. I need to get out of here, Connor.”
I grabbed my purse and took out some money. Connor grabbed it from my hands and shoved it back in my purse. “I got this.”
I couldn’t fall apart in front of him; I had to hold it together—at least until I got home where I’d be alone.
He threw some money on the table and followed me out of the restaurant. My head was in a daze, and I was confused. I looked in both directions, forgetting which way I needed to go. He put his arm around me and pulled me into him, leading me to where Denny had parked the limo. I stumbled a few times, but the strength of his arms held me up. He opened the door and helped me in. I slid to the other side as he got in and sat beside me. He didn’t say a word; he only wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest. Feeling the warmth and security of him, I clenched his shirt in my hands and started crying. He rubbed his hand up and down my back as his chin rested on my head. At that moment, I didn’t care that he saw me like this. I just needed to be with someone right now, and he was more than willing to be that someone.