Chapter 8

    The following week Angela went about her business avoiding all conversation with Kimberly about her mystery man. When Kimberly would bring up the topic she would just block her out or pretend she had to do something. She had not seen Steve in a week, and it was exactly how she liked it.

    “Need a re-fill?” Thomas held up the bottle of wine as he leaned up against the bathroom door watching Angela get ready. Thomas was taking her out to dinner and she was really looking forward to it.

    “You read my mind.” She smiled and grabbed her glass. She held it for him while he poured. She sat her glass down on the counter and dabbed a little more gloss to her full lips. “So where are you taking me?” She asked, looking at him in the mirror.

    “It’s a cool little place called “The Cecconi’s” on Melrose Avenue. You’ll love it and the food is amazing,” he told her with a smile. “Are you almost ready?” Looking at his watch he said, “Our reservation is for seven and it’s already six-thirty.”

    Fingering her hair one more time, she said, “All set.” She smiled and took a long sip from her glass.

    “You look stunning,” he said as his eyes took in the tiny black dress that hugged her frame perfectly.

    “Why thank you. You look pretty darn handsome yourself.” She winked at him and walked past in to the kitchen.

    She drank the rest of her wine, grabbed her small clutch purse and followed Thomas out of the apartment.

**

   Cecconi’s was beautifully cascaded with sculptured greenery flanking the entrance. The tiny lights sparkled in the green foliage looking like little fireflies as nightfall set in. Once in the restaurant they were shown to a quiet booth near the terrace and given their menus.

    “This is stunning Thomas,” Angela said as she took in the scenery around her. The place and the customers both screamed high society.

    “I knew you would love it. Wait until you taste the food.” He said, looking at the menu.

    “Can I get you something to drink?” The waiter asked.

    “We’ll each have a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon please,” Thomas said.

    “Very well.”

    “Is that a red wine?” Angela asked when the waiter was gone.

    “Yes, it is. It’s very good.” He grinned at her. A few minutes later, the waiter returned with their drinks and took their orders.

    “I’ll have the organic salmon, broccoli & basil pesto please,” Angela said, passing the menu to the waiter.

    “And for you sir?” he turned to Thomas.

    “Alaskan halibut, leeks & summer squash, thank you.” They sat quietly for a moment taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the soft background music. “So how are you doing Angela?” Thomas looked serious all of a sudden.

    “What do you mean?” She asked, puzzled.

    “Well you have been here for a little over five weeks now. How are you feeling about the move, the job, the loft?”

    Angela tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. “Good, I guess. I mean it has really helped me to get out of my shell by focusing on everything else other than Blake.” She looked at Thomas and took a sip of her wine. “I really enjoy my new job and am finally getting a little more familiar with the city. You know I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me. If it wasn’t for you I would still be in Miami.”

    The waiter arrived with their entrees. They enjoyed some small talk with each other while they ate. She savored the succulent meal until her last bite. When she was finished, she felt so full she had to lean back in her chair. The waiter arrived to take their plates away and asked, “Dessert?” Thomas looked at her with his eyebrows raised.

    “No,” she laughed rubbing her stomach. “I am so full. That was delicious.”

    Taking another sip of his wine, Thomas stretched and inched himself on the seat so he was now sitting beside Angela. His hand reached hers and as he wrapped it up in his, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips passionately.   

    Angela immediately pushed him back. “What are you doing Thomas?” She asked him, taking a breath.

“Just giving my roommate a kiss,” he responded quickly, knowing he had crossed his boundaries with her.

She looked at him while she tried to clear her throat thinking how handsome he looked but that she only loved him as a brother, not in that way.

    “Just a kiss?” She said with her eyes narrowed. “That was more than a kiss Thomas.”

“It was just an innocent kiss Angela. Don’t make it into more than what it is.” He said looking annoyed.   

“Thomas, do you have feelings for me?” She asked him as she looked into his bright green eyes. She was almost afraid of hearing his answer. Her body tensed and she was sure her facial expression showed confusion. She clearly didn’t have the same feelings for him.

    “No, well yes, of course I do. But like a little sis, you know.” He slid back to his seat.

    “Well then why would you do that?” Her eyebrows arched not quite believing him.

    “Jesus, Ang. I can’t give my roommate a kiss? I wanted to get a reaction out you. That’s all.” He shot her a nervous smile. He was obviously trying to cover for his actions.

    “Thomas you know I love you with all my heart, just not in that way.” She searched his face; she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

    “Me too Angela, I have always loved you like a sister, me too,” He said, and then downed the rest of his wine. Standing up he looked at her and extended his hand. “Ready to go?”

    “Yes,” She said, taking it and standing up. “Thomas, I had a wonderful time. Thank you.” She said, smiling a little nervously.

**

Once they were home, Angela slipped off her high heels and headed towards her bedroom to change for the evening. “Do you want a glass of wine?” She heard Thomas call after her.

“Sure,” she yelled back.

She closed the door to her bedroom and sat on the bed thinking. Thomas had tried to make light conversation during the ride home, but the passionate kiss he called nothing wouldn’t leave her head. Maybe Joanne was right and Thomas really did have feelings for her. More so than what he was putting on. It made her feel uncomfortable no matter how much he denied it. She only loved him like a big brother and nothing more. Maybe it was time to get her own apartment, she thought as she stood up and unzipped her dress. She would have to talk to him about this again.

She slipped into a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt and tied her long black hair into a ponytail before going back out to the living room. When she got there she sat in the black leather armchair beside the sectional where Thomas was sitting.

“Your wine,” he said, passing the glass to her.

“Thank you.” She smiled and took the glass from his hand.

The T.V. was on another football game. Out of the corner of her eye she looked at him. He was staring at the flat screen.

“Thomas…I was thinking I will start looking for an apartment.” She held her glass up to her mouth and took a sip, not taking her eyes off of his face.

“Really?” He looked at her with confusion on his face. “Don’t you think it is a bit early? I mean you have only been here a little over a month.”

“I know, but I think it’s time I get something of my own. That way you can have your privacy.” She smiled.

She watched Thomas’s chest rise and fall with his breathing. “Are you saying this because of what I did in the restaurant?” His brow knitted with concern.

“No, no, of course not,” she lied. “I just think it’s time to lay down some roots of my own.”

“Ang, the rent alone is going to be extremely expensive. Look at how much you can save by staying here a month or two more. Why don’t you stay here until August or September, save your money and then get your own place?”

Angela could see he was grasping at straws to keep her there. She could almost hear the desperation in his voice. Thomas had done so much for her. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him.

“Thomas. You know I don’t have money issues. Blake left me a large insurance settlement.” She played with her ponytail as she looked at her wine glass. “Ok, how about this. I start looking now and try to find a place for August. That will give me all of July to try and find something.”

“September!”

“What?” She looked at him puzzled.

“It will have to be for September,” he said again. “I will need at least sixty days’ notice in order to find a new roommate.” A slow smile formed at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re a whack job!” She laughed. “You don’t need a roommate! You have always lived alone.”

“Well, now I do. That is the least you can do Angela.” Thomas looked at her a little more seriously.

Feeling a little guilty she responded. “Ok. I will find a place for September. No later though.” She told him in a serious tone as she took a long sip of her wine. Two months she thought to herself. She would continue to carry on as usual and hope that Thomas doesn’t try anything with her. She didn’t want the situation to grow any more uncomfortable than what it already was.