Chapter 10 #2
My mother stands and slips the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “I’m leaving, Karina. I have an appointment. Leticia has graciously agreed to give you a ride when you’re done here.”
God, no. How can this possibly not be over yet? “We’re not done?”
“There are just a few more things to go over,” Leticia chirps.
My heart sinks at having to endure any more of this.
My mother leaves and Leticia and I dive into the invitations again, choosing fonts and spacing and whether or not I want any flourish or elements in accompaniment to the text.
But I’m simultaneously a million miles away, still thinking about Marco’s hands and the clean, masculine way that he smells.
I pull in a breath and relive it now, the scent flowing through me as if he’s right here…
High-pitched feminine laughter from the main dining area catches my attention. I glance up and nearly drop the glass.
Marco. It takes a nanosecond to recognize the lines of his body and the soft curl at the ends of his hair. He’s here. With a woman.
Leticia begins packing up. “I think we’ve done enough for today, don’t you?”
My head bobbles in a nod but I can’t speak. All I can do is stare.
At Marco’s side is a stunning woman with red hair falling in soft waves to her shoulders. She has strikingly high cheekbones and a full mouth, like a model, and to top it all off she’s voluptuous and wearing an eye-catching yet simple red dress that shows off every curve.
The way she’s holding onto Marco’s arm reveals that she’s comfortable with him, possessive, even.
Her thumb rubs lightly against his sleeve.
She turns to laugh at something he said, her breast pushing into him.
This isn’t a sister or family member. This is a lover. One with whom I can’t possibly compete.
My chest squeezes, my heart pumping shards into my veins.
“Karina?” Leticia prods.
“Yes?” My voice shakes as my world falls apart.
“I said I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be right back and then I’ll drive you home, okay?”
My head bobbles again and I manage to take a small drink of water, trying to slow my breathing. So many emotions thread through me and I don’t know how to cut them. They pull and twist until I’m so edgy that I feel like I have to get to my feet and do…something.
Who is she? I thought—I thought that—
That what? Marco could be something to me and I to him?
I’m engaged to another man, and he’s obviously not the monogamous type.
This is a game that I was never going to win.
I try to think it through and talk myself down, but my mind is a mess.
Be rational, Karina. I take another deep breath and center myself.
Impossible. My heart just keeps breaking and breaking.
He didn’t tell me he was seeing someone. He could have mentioned it, warned me. Then again, can I really be angry about this? I’m engaged and he doesn’t know. Oh, God. I’m an idiot.
My brain decides that I’m going to approach him before my self-awareness does, and suddenly I’m walking his way.
The swish of my simple summer dress against my bare legs reminds me that I look nothing like the vixen on his arm.
My dress is white with little yellow and blue flowers on it.
My beige flats and simple braid make me look like a little girl ready for a Sunday picnic.
My only makeup is basic lip balm and a swipe of mascara.
This version of me is the one my family forces me to be, but it’s not the one Marco knows.
That girl was in disguise, but I can’t pretend right now.
He suddenly looks up and our gazes meet in a gentle hold. A series of reactions flashes in his brilliant blue eyes—surprise, searing heat, and then…cool indifference. I feel my heart sink even more at how quickly he schools the recognition in his eyes.
The woman looks me up and down and smirks in amusement, as if I’m a child shyly approaching a celebrity to ask for an autograph.
She gets the barest of my attention. Marco is taking up everything, filling me with what I need the most. He’s dressed casually in black slacks and a light blue button-down shirt—no tie—with the top two buttons undone.
His dark hair is relaxed and wavy, the ends curling around his ears and temples.
My mouth grows dry as my panties dampen, and it takes all my will not to reach out and touch him.
“Hi,” I breathe.
His lips twitch, eyes sparkling like he’s amused by me, too. “Hi there.”
A pause beats between us and my brow knits. That’s it? Why is he acting like he doesn’t know me?
“Can I help you?” he asks.
Drawing back a little, I frown. “Marco?”
“Yes.” He pauses again. “Did we meet at the racetrack?”
My breath hitches. “Yes. Yes, we did.”
The woman sighs. “Would you like an autograph or something? We’ve got reservations so we really need to—”
Shaking my head, I take a step back. Marco wets his lower lip and looks away from me. Is this how it is? He won’t even acknowledge me in public.
“No. I don’t need anything. Thank you, though. Have a nice meal,” I stutter.
Spinning on my heel, I head for the doors. Polite Karina, always saying the right thing. Always being sweet even when her heart is shredded. He acted like he didn’t even know me. And for whose benefit? Probably to cover his own ass, considering the candy on his arm.
Outside, I hurry to the valet stand and hug myself while I wait for Leticia to find me. Tears sting my eyes, but I hold them back until they finally dry in the warm Napa breeze.