If The Shoe Fits Page 20

  “I’m sure it will be one of the most bid-upon items at the auction.” Giac would make sure of it. And that he won it.

  “See, Mom?” Reese said as Giac headed back into the kitchen. “You still have that star quality. I tell you, your donation is going to be a big hit.”

  His mother laughed. “I’m glad you still think of me as a star, but I’m afraid that shine has dimmed somewhat. I’m sure there’d be much more interest if you were donating something. Dinner and dancing? Or maybe just a kiss.” She patted his hand. “The winner might be able to take your mind off that other man’s wife.”

  Reese stared at his mother’s hand on his, trying not to stare out the window for a glimpse of Bella. Why had he thought bringing his mom here would be a good idea? Getting shot down by Bella yesterday hadn’t done enough damage to his ego? And his heart? But he wanted to see her again and this lunch was the perfect excuse. “She’s not his wife.”

  “What?”

  Reese glanced up to see his mother’s surprised expression. “I guess I forgot to mention that. Bella’s his niece, not his wife.”

  “His niece. Hmm. Interesting little tidbit to forget to tell me. I’ve been so worried about you, about how you would be dealing with your feelings and all the last-minute arrangements, but you forget to tell me this? You do know I had the Arts Center Board members rearrange their schedule to accommodate my visit today just for you, don’t you?”

  “Arts Center?”

  She arched an eyebrow at him. “Don’t try to change the subject, Reese. The Arts Center Board is considering asking me to be a member and we’re going to discuss it this afternoon. But first, I want to find out about Bella.”

  “Mom.” Reese sighed. “I’m a grown man. I don’t need you to worry about my love life.”

  “Nonsense. You’re my son. I’ll worry about you forever. Especially your love life. And somebody has to worry about it or how will I get grandchildren?”

  Worrying did not make babies. Reese knew exactly what did and for the first time in his life, he was actually thinking about it as a reality not an abstract. Which only added to the pain of Bella pulling away from him. “You already have six grandkids, Mom.”

  “I mean yours, dear.”

  “They’re going to be a ways off. Right now, I’ve got this business to run. That’s enough of a child for me at the moment.”

  His mother cocked her head and just looked at him. Reese started to squirm. Big words coming from him when he’d gone running to her with his doomed feelings for Bella. He rubbed the back of his neck.

  “So, if she’s his niece, why haven’t you called her? Why the long face? I’d think you’d be jumping for joy that she’s free.”

  Reese looked up. “It’s complicated.”

  “Oh, honey. Now what?”

  “Mom, you’re talking to me like I’m ten.”

  His mother sat back, her lips pinched.

  Reese sighed. “I’m sorry. This is more than some crush that a soda and a double scoop of ice cream can cure.”

  “I can see that. And I want to help in any way I can. I’m your mother; your happiness is important to me. It’s one of the cardinal rules of parenting. We never outgrow it.”

  “I’m glad you’re my mom.” He meant the words. His was a close family, normal sibling spats aside, and they all knew they could count on each other. Which is why he’d shared his feelings for Bella with her. “But I have to handle this myself. There’s nothing you can do.”

  “If you say so.” She tapped the fork tines on her napkin.

  “Mom, don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  She could still guilt him into confessing his secrets even at his age. “Like I said, it’s complicated. I can’t risk my business by starting a relationship with someone who works for me. And Bella says the same thing.” And that was the story he was sticking with. Not the fact that even though he’d kissed her, even though there was major chemistry between them, he apparently wasn’t worth the risk.

  First his heart, then his ego. Bella had shredded both of them. Yet still he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

  His phone vibrated in his pocket. Reese grabbed it, glad of the distraction, and his fingers brushed against some change he’d forgotten he had.

  “So you’ve talked about a relationship?” Mom just wouldn’t let up. “And you’re both on the same page? Then it can work, Reese.”

  If only that were true.

  Chapter Thirty

  Bella never did put in an appearance. Reese was on the fence about whether or not that was a good thing, but in the end, it didn’t matter. The auction was tomorrow night; he’d see her then.

  And afterwards… Afterwards was a whole other story.

  He’d put his mother in a cab after lunch for her board meeting, then headed over to Luke’s condo to “remind” him where he’d better be tomorrow night. He wasn’t taking any chances with this event.

  Luke opened the door beer in hand. And a couple more under his belt if the smell was any indication. “I’ll be there tomorrow, Reese. Don’t worry. You don’t have to check up on me.”

  “Let me in.” Reese pushed by Luke. “How many have you had?”

  “Not enough.”

  From the looks of the place, Luke had had more than enough. Gym clothes flung over the sofa, empty beer cans tossed—and missed—at the trashcan, newspapers chucked onto the floor. “Something wrong?”

  “Nah.” Luke swayed around him, kicking at a beer can, then caught his balance with a hand on the flatscreen.

  “Is it Tanya?”

  “Hah!” Luke swung his foot again and would have fallen if Reese hadn’t caught his arm. “No way could Tanya do this to me. Uh, uh.” He shook his head like a dog after a walk in the rain.

  Reese took the beer from Luke’s hand and led him to the sofa, shoving the laundry onto the floor as they both sat.

  “Thanks.” Luke’s cockeyed smile was as empty as the six-pack on the floor.

  “What’s going on, Luke? Is Jared okay?”

  Luke waved the air as if he were swatting flies. “Sure. Fine. Never been better.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Luke’s sigh could probably be heard clear across the state. He closed his eyes and when he opened them, they were much clearer than they usually were after a six-pack and a half.

  “Woman.”

  One word, so much angst. Reese could relate. “Staci?”

  Another shuddering breath. “Yeah.” Luke grimaced. “She broke it off.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah,’oh.’” Luke sat forward, his elbows on his knees. “Who would’ve thought I could fall so fast? Not me, that’s for sure. Love-’Em-and-Leave-’Em-Luke—that’s me.” This grin wasn’t empty; it was full of self-derision. “Now I know what it feels like on the other side. And it stinks.”

  “I know what you mean.”

  Luke swung his head around to face Reese. “You, too?”

  “Me, too.”

  “God, man, that’s rough. I knew you had it bad for her, but I could have sworn she felt the same way about you.”

  “I was hoping the same thing, but she’s throwing my own rule in my face. Keeping our professional relationship professional.”

  “And you’ve changed your mind?” That seemed to sober Luke up.

  “The auction will be over after tomorrow.” “

  Luke shook his head. “Look at us. What a pair. Two of the most chased after guys in the NFL, sitting on my sofa, pining after two women.” He flopped back next to Reese and flung his hands over his head, thonking against the wall. “I don’t get it. Where’d we go wrong? Why is it that the ones who matter are the ones who won’t fall all over us?”

  “Beats me.”

  They sat there, silent.

  “Bella said there’s someone else.”

  “Ouch.” Luke looked at him. “Staci said the same thing, only it’s some kid.”

  “A kid?”

  �
�Yeah, I know. Makes no sense to me.”

  But it might to Reese. With both Bella and Staci backing away from them, it might have something to do with Sophia. But what? And what the hell did he and Luke have to do with it?

  “Do you think she meant Sophia?”

  “Bella’s sister?” Luke shrugged. “Beats me. I mean, yeah, Stace has been hanging with her, but what would dating me have to do with the kid?”

  “Unless her mother thinks you’re a bad influence.”

  Luke shrugged. “Anything’s possible, I guess. But from what Staci’s said, the woman doesn’t have anything to do with the kid. Pawns her off on Bella or Staci and Drew all the time. She’s got some big agenda to get on the Arts Center Board and is sashaying all over the place to get in people’s good graces. Staci said it’s kinda nauseating to watch her mother sucking up to the board members.”

  “The Arts Center Board?” Reese had barely heard of the organization yet today he’d heard about it twice.

  “Apparently the woman thinks it’s the height of society to be on the Board and now that there’s an opening, she’s lobbying for it.”

  The spot his mother was probably discussing right now with those very same members.

  And suddenly everything fell into place. Bella quitting the event. Demanding that there be nothing between them.

  “Madeleine’s put them up to it.” And the woman was using Sophia as a pawn.

  “Why would she do that? It makes no sense.”

  “I’m not sure why, but it’s got something to do with the Board.” Reese’s instincts on the playing field had never let him down and this felt like one big Hail Mary play on Madeleine’s part. “She wants to be on it and my mother’s getting an invitation to become a member as we speak. There’s some connection, I’m just not sure what.”

  “From what Stace has said, the woman is a manipulative son of a bitch.” Luke kicked a can out from under the sofa. “You know they call Bella Cindabella, don’t you? Madeleine’s taken her stepmother role to heart for years.”

  “I’ve heard that nickname.” He smiled inwardly as he remembered the first time they’d met.

  “You know what that means, don’t you?”

  That he was going to have some well-placed words with Madeleine Casteleoni. “What?”

  “It means you get to play Prince Charming and ride in on your white horse to save the damsel in distress.”

  For once, Reese didn’t mind the poking fun at his nickname—because that’s exactly what he felt like doing as he got off Luke’s sofa and headed out the door. If Madeleine was bullying Bella, he was going to put a stop to it.

  Halfway down Luke’s front path, Reese’s cell phone rang. “What’s up, Kelly?”

  “There’s a problem over at the hotel with the VIP suites. Jake’s in a meeting with the NBA people, so I can’t interrupt him. You might want to head over there.”

  Damn. Reese sighed and kneaded the muscles of his neck. “Right. I’ll get on it.” He snapped the phone shut and cursed. If this truly were a fairy tale, he’d have a fairy godmother swoop in and handle it so he could take care of Bella.

  But it wasn’t and this was his job. The situation with Bella would have to wait.

  ***

  Mr. Griff popped out of his office in the shoe store and told the new girl to take the rest of the day off. After she left, Jonathan Griff pulled a long gold chain from beneath his shirt. Dangling at the end next to his St. Michael’s medal was a key.

  Chuckling, he approached the glass case at the front of the store and turned the lock. A small door levered open.

  “It’s about time to deliver these.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “Just an eensy weensy peek, Gus?” Perla looked like a just-coiffed Pomeranian begging for a doggy treat as she hung onto the pass-through window into Gus’ kitchen. “I won’t tell, I promise.”

  “No, no, e no.” Gus slammed a pot with each word.

  “What won’t you tell, Perla?” Bella tapped the woman on the shoulder, apparently surprising them all with her arrival.

  Perla spun around, her guilty grimace quickly replaced with a bright—fake—smile. “Oh, nothing, love. Absolutely nothing.” Perla patted her teased hair and did a quick little two-step around Bella, back through the counter opening.

  Bella looked from Perla to Gus. What were they up to?

  “Hey, Gus. Everything you asked me to get is in my car. Someone parked in our spot and I had to park down the street. Please send Bruno out when he’s free to bring it all in.” Bella slipped an apron over her head.

  “Si, but first you must come.” Gus grabbed a brightly wrapped package from beneath his prep table and shrugged through the saloon-doors. His grin was as wide as his girth.

  “What’s that?” She smiled. This was what Perla was talking about. The woman liked to be the first to know.

  Gus waved a finger. “Tomorrow you will make us proud. All of us. Your mama and papa, too, God rest their souls. You will make the festa magnifica and help the hospital. For this, I make you look magnifica, too.” He clutched her chin and smacked a wet kiss on both cheeks. “This is for you.”

  Bella had a hard time undoing the bow as she struggled with the lump in her throat. The customers’ applause wasn’t helping matters.

  “Hurry up, honey.” Perla rushed back through the counter to her side.

  Bella held up the package with the industrial-strength ribbon. “You want to help, Perla?”

  “Love to, doll.” Perla pushed past Mr. Campanale, and with one flick of a tangerine talon, removed the ribbon.

  “The woman can get through any gift wrap in under twenty seconds,” mumbled Harry.

  Perla glared at him as she handed over the gift.

  Bella lifted the lid and pulled back layers of rustling tissue paper. “Oh, Gus,” she breathed, “it’s beautiful.”

  Shimmering seafoam green fabric whispered along the tissue paper as she lifted a long dress from the box. The criss-cross bodice was sleeveless and the skirt had a long slit up the back. She’d have to rethink her shoe choice for tomorrow night because there would be no black waitress shoes for this masterpiece.

  “Thank you, Gus.” She kissed his cheek. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

  Gus patted her hand and, behind him, Giac wiped a tear “You’ll look like a princess,” he said.

  “In this dress, I’ll feel like one.”

  Gus seemed to be having a hard time putting his emotions into words. Perla, however, had no such problem. She petted Bella’s skirt as if it were made of mink, and a calculating look came into her eye. She lunged at Gus, attaching herself to his arm.

  “Gus, you’ve certainly outdone yourself with this. Simply extraordinary. Which is why I’d like to talk to you about a little outfit or two I could use for my trip to the beach this summer. You see, Francesca and I...” Perla led Gus into the kitchen to finagle a new summer line.

  Bella laughed as she repacked the gown in its box. The downtown department stores would reap the benefits once Francesca got wind of Perla’s plan because the sisters were in a constant battle to out-do each other.

  Bella put the dress under the counter, away from ketchup bottles and salt shakers. When she stood, Mr. Griff was at the counter.

  “Good afternoon, Bella.”

  “Hi, Mr. Griff. What can I get you?”

  Jonathan smiled. This was the fun part of his job. “Actually, my dear, it’s what I can get for you.” He set the burgundy velvet box on the countertop. Raphael’s golden bow shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the windows. “I have a gift for you. It’s only a loan, and you’ll understand why when you see what’s inside, but—” He put his hand on hers when she went to open the box. “You have to wait until at least noon tomorrow to open it or I’ll have to take it back. No earlier. Can you do that?”

  There’d been a few over the years who hadn’t been able to wait, but he was always pleased when his Charges proved him a good judge of
character.

  “I don’t understand.”

  They rarely did. “I know, lass. And I can’t explain it now. But what’s inside this box is yours for only twelve hours, so you don’t want to waste any time by opening it too soon. Trust me on this, okay?”

  “Okay, Mr. Griff, I can do that.”

  He’d known her character was good. Just like he’d known it about Reese. He was definitely improving his Guardian skills.

  “But on one condition,” she said.

  Or maybe not. “Condition? That’s not how—er, that is, it’s highly irregular.”

  “So is teasing me with a present I can’t open until tomorrow.” Her smile took the sting out of the admonition just as he would expect from someone of her character.

  “Touché, my dear. All right, what’s your condition?”

  “That you don’t leave me any more tips. You’ve overpaid enough to last the rest of our lives. If you want me to accept your gift you’ll have to accept my condition.”

  Now that was a condition he could live with since Bella would no longer need his “tips.” “Very well. I agree.

  “Great. Then we’re even.” Bella held out her hand.

  He shook it. Even? She didn’t know the half of it. And that’s how it should be for mortals. His job was to not let them suspect a thing about what he really was.

  “Here, Bella.” Mr. Campanale walked up to the counter and slid four quarters toward her. “I was a little short yesterday for your tip.”

  She captured his hand before he could move it away. “You don’t need to do this, Mr. Campanale. Please, keep your quarters. Buy some flowers for Mrs. Campanale’s resting place, and the next time you visit her, tell her they’re from me, okay?”

  Mr. Campanale had a tell-tale drop at the corner of his eye. “God bless you, my dear. God bless you.”

  Jonathan slid from his stool and glided toward the door, Mr. Campanale’s benediction following him into the sunshine. “Not to worry, dear man,” he whispered. “He already has.”