Chapter 29 #2
"I know," I say. "It’s been a crazy week for me, but you? Girl, you must be exhausted."
"I’m used to it," she replies. "I slept a good eight hours between shifts the other day when you were at your board meeting. How’s that going?"
"It’s going well," I say. "We’re working diligently to make sure the right guidelines are implemented and the right people are hired, so that all the girls who reside at the home are treated equally, with transparency and accountability between departments.
What happened to me will never, ever happen again. "
"I saw Meghan's car parked next door," she says, stepping out of her shoes and rubbing the back of her neck. "I thought you'd be there, duking it out with her."
I shake my head. "Cal was here when she and Hannah drove up. He went to get Hannah. Frankly, I don't care to deal with her if I don't have to."
"I get it," she says, heading toward the kitchen. "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving."
"This morning, I made veggie omelets and left you one in the fridge," I offer. "If not, there's leftover roasted chicken and potatoes in there, too."
She pulls the foil-covered omelet from the fridge and pops it into the microwave. After pouring herself a cup of coffee, she chooses to sit on the center island so she can face me while she eats.
"Mmm, this is really good," she says after taking a big bite. "I'm going to try and sleep for a few hours before meeting Vince at his office."
"Tina," I begin, knowing there might not be another opportunity for us to chat. "Cal asked me to marry him."
She meets my gaze, fork frozen in midair. "What? When? How? Why hadn't you told me?!"
"You've been working long hours," I say. "I haven't seen you, except in passing when you're heading for your bedroom to get some sleep, or to the door for another long shift."
"You're right," she says, extending her hand. "Let me see it!"
I laugh and immediately hold my hand up to show her, then walk over so she can inspect it closely.
"Elle," she says, holding my hand. "This is beautiful. It must have cost him a fortune."
"I think it's perfect," I reply, unable to hide my excitement.
She stands and throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "I'm so happy for you!"
"I'm happy for me too," I say, feeling my heart swell with love.
"Have you guys picked a date yet?" she asks, returning to her omelet.
I shake my head. "No. With all the projects he has going, I think it’ll be a while. Maybe a year."
"Girl, a year will fly by," she says. "There’s so much to plan—venue, guest list, food, dress. Oh my gosh! A dress! You’re getting married! You are going to marry Cal! I can’t believe it! Do you believe it? I can't. My best friend is getting married!"
After we’re done laughing, hugging, and crying, Tina finishes eating and stands at the sink, washing her plate, fork, and cup before drying them and putting them away.
I’ve looked out the window a couple more times, and Tina quickly senses my unease.
"Exes fight," she says simply. "Especially when there’s a kid involved. Trust me, I know. My parents used to have shouting matches right in front of me and my sisters. We were all too young to fully grasp what was happening, but it was scary and exhausting."
"That's why you don't date men with children," I say.
"You got that right," she murmurs. "Mom might have been dumb enough to marry the wrong man, but she was smart enough to warn us not to make the same mistake."
"Vince has a kid," I say, instantly regretting it as Tina’s eyes widen before furrowing into a scowl.
"I'm sure Meghan will have plenty of names to call me, but I can assure you, 'Mommy' won't be one of them."
"Are things with Vincent that serious?" I ask, genuinely interested.
"We're getting to know each other," she begins. "Neither of us is in any hurry. He’s busy. I’m busy.
Honestly, I speak to Claire, his assistant, more often than I do him.
She in her mid thirties, has a business degree from Cornell, and is smart enough to handle the demands of the job.
And she's the only one Vincent listens to.
He thinks she manages his office, but half the time, she's managing him. He just doesn't realize it."
I smile. "Smart woman," I say. "From what Cal has told me, Vincent has a pretty big ego. Any woman who's able to handle him has to be a genius."
Tina laughs out loud. "You got that right! Anyway, Claire's the one who brought Vince into the ER the night we met."
I meet her gaze, debating for a moment. "Tina, he's twice your age."
"Only in years," she counters. "The man is hot, rich, romantic, charming, and has the stamina of a man half his age. I have no complaints."
"What about Nate?" I ask.
"What about Nate?" she repeats.
"Tina," I begin, "You know there's something there. I see it, Cal sees it."
"It was just a kiss," she says, her tone dismissive. "Yes, it was an intense, mind-blowing, toe-curling, heart-racing, delicious kiss. I won't deny it."
"Ooh, please continue," I say, egging her on.
She closes her eyes, as if recalling every second of it, unwilling to miss a single detail.
"His lips were sweet," she says, touching her lips lightly with her fingertips. "Taste was pure heat. He kissed me slow and deep. I forgot everything, including my name. And his cologne—"
She breathes in deeply. "I swear, it was hard to concentrate on anything else.
A rich, masculine scent that lingered on me long after.
His touch? Electric. The way his arm circled around my waist and pulled me into him took my breath away.
The sound of his breath against my ear when he asked me if I was still going on my date. It made me go weak at the knees."
"Alrighty then," I say, fanning myself with my hand.
"You asked!" she exclaims. "But as good as it was, I can't stand him. He's obnoxious, disrespectful, short-tempered, and annoying."
"Is he a better kisser than Vincent?" I ask, doubting she’ll tell me. "Because, if I remember correctly, you described Vincent’s kiss as 'heavenly.'"
She looks around, as if expecting someone to eavesdrop. "Let me just say this," she says, her tone low and conspiratorial. "When Nate kissed me, the earth stopped spinning."
"You both looked like you were enjoying it," I say. "I almost yelled out, 'Get a room!'"
"I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t wish we’d had one. A room. So we could have finished what we started."
"Wow," I whisper. "If it was that good, how can you continue seeing Vincent?"
She meets my gaze. "Did you see the smug look on Nate's face after we kissed? He totally ruined the moment. Plus, I like Vincent, and he likes me. We enjoy being together, and he makes me feel special—not on edge like Nate does. End of story."
She shoots me a big smile and turns on her heels, heading toward the hallway.
When I hear the door to her bedroom click shut, I walk over to the window facing Cal's driveway and confirm that Meghan's car is gone.