“I cannot believe my brother.” Angie yanked the tea bag from the dainty white tea cup and threw it to the table before running her hand through blonde hair that had all but entirely come loose from the clip it had been pulled back in when she arrived.
Sofia just laughed.
“It’s not a big deal.”
As her OCD kicked in, she plucked the tea bag from the paper table cloth where it was leaving a dark stain and set it on a small plate to her left, before dusting her fingers on the cloth napkin placed in her lap.
“It kind of is. How often do I get out of the house? How often do you and I get to just have lunch together?” She groaned. “I feel like I’m twelve years old again and mom is making me take him to the playground with me.”
She really tried not to laugh again. Angie had been having a rough time of it with the new baby and of course she’d relish her alone time, but this was Rafe, what was she going to do, say no?
She played with the bow at the base of her neck that was holding together the halter style sundress she wore and tried to be a calming influence on her friend.
“Look, you and I will have lots of time together and though it may not seem like it now, at some point, Gillian will settle into her new environment and you will begin to build the most wonderful memories with that little girl.” She moved her hand over atop Angie’s. “This is just lunch and you said yourself he’s had a rough time of it since the divorce.” Sofia shrugged.
It wasn’t that she didn’t empathize with Angie’s state of mind, but she really
was blowing that her brother was crashing their lunch, way out of proportion. She assumed it was more the frustrations at home and she just needed a vent for them.
“He is and I’m not heartless, but he came for Christmas and he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave. For God’s sake, Sofia, It’s May!”
Sofia discreetly hid her smile behind her hand. She was an only child, so maybe she just didn’t understand, but she really did find the whole thing rather amusing.
“Maybe he doesn’t want to be constantly reminded of a life he doesn’t have anymore. Divorce is rough.” She spoke from experience and it was an experience she wouldn’t wish on anyone. Maybe she was siding a little with Rafe, but it was because she understood what he was going through in a way his sister just couldn’t.
“Oh yeah, you and Jim just hate each other.” Angie sipped her tea and waved her hand over her head in a circle. “Besides, the divorce was Rafe’s idea!”
There was no settling her down. Sofia decided just to go with it.
“Yes, Jim and I are great now, but at the time…” She thought back to that awful time a few years back. “Divorce brings out the absolute worst in a person. It’s nasty and ugly and something I hope you never experience.” She squeezed her friend’s hand again.
“Hi ladies. I can’t thank you enough for inviting me to join you.”
Sofia startled and looked up to see a very handsome man smiling down at her.
In that moment as she gazed on him, her heart settled into her body in a way that felt like it literally took a breath. It was a lovely, warm feeling, and she took a moment to simply appreciate it.
It had been a very long time since she’d seen Rafe. He was dressed nicely in grey slacks and a white button down shirt. Definitely older than the last time she saw him as told by the light wrinkles around his eyes and the salt and pepper in his sideburns, but his blue eyes were alight, sparkling really, and his smile was entirely beautiful. If this was a man having a hard time, he sure didn’t show it.
“We didn’t invite you.” Angie stated boldly. “You invited you.”
Rafe just smiled at his sister and then took the seat beside her.
Sofia forced herself to look away and brought her mind back to the present.
“Ah well, I knew you wanted to invite me.” He gave Angie a one armed hug as he sat down.
She made a face that had Sofia laughing yet again.
“Sofia, it’s good to see you again. It’s been a long time and that dress is so perfect for today. Love the tulips.” He reached out across the table.
She quickly glanced at the red tulip pattern on her dress. His gesture, mixed with the easy compliment, caught her off guard, but she looked back up and reached across to more squeeze his hand then shake it. He looked into her eyes directly which she found very welcoming.
“I’m surprised you even remembered.” She was completely knocked off balance at this point. “And thank you!”
“Oh brother.” Angie moaned.
Rafe laughed and turned to look at her. “That black cardigan is a great combination with your hair, sis.” He leaned a little closer and lowered his tone. “Better?”
She shoved him away, but Sofia caught a small smile play across her lips.
Truthfully, Sofia knew more about Rafe and his life then she probably should, but that was because Angie was very free about talking about her little brother. She was usually either mad as a hatter with him, or proud like a mama bear, and either emotion always bubbled up and into their conversations. There was no reason the same would be true in reverse. She was surprised he remembered her at all.
“As for you, Sofia, it was a Christmas party at Angie’s when last we met. God, what… ten years ago maybe? But you made an impression.” He smiled warmly and resettled himself into his chair before picking up a menu.
Before anything else could be said, their waitress, Cassidy, came back around.
“I see the last of your party has joined you. Do you need a few minutes still? Can I get you a drink?” She smiled at Rafe.
He looked at both girls, then at Cassidy. “I’ll just have the minestrone soup and salad lunch and a water with lemon.” He handed his menu back to her.
“Just like you to assume we were ready.” Angie sniped beneath her breath.
“But we were ready, Ang.” Sofia tried to smooth things. “I’ll have the veggie calzone.”
Angie ordered a Tuscan seafood platter and the waitress left with the menus just as Angie’s cell went off. She looked down, her eyes got big as saucers and she stood from the table.
“Sitter. I’ll be back.”
Sofia watched her walk towards the front of the restaurant. Feeling slightly abandoned, she looked back at the table and nervously began playing with the petals of the yellow daisies sitting in a clear vase before her.
Rafe Cantor was a very handsome man and age had only made him more so.
His salt and pepper hair was neatly groomed, the goatee made him look rather dashing with a hint of wicked and his pale blue eyes held kindness and sparkle. This however, was a man who was so far off limits that none of that mattered.
She glanced down at the table where he had his hands resting. His long shirt sleeves were neatly rolled up to just below his elbows. He wore a silver watch, a heavy silver ring on his right hand, and there on the left hand, the tan lines from a wedding ring only recently removed.
“How are the clubs doing?” She felt a need to make conversation if for no other reason than to get her mind to stop running in the direction it was.
Conversation was tricky though as she didn’t want to betray any confidences that she only knew of because Angie may have betrayed a confidence. She figured work was a safe subject and just hoped Angie got her ass back here and fast.
“Good. At this stage they’re managed by an outside firm. I haven’t really had much day to day contact in years.”
“Oh.” She chewed her lower lip and looked away.
“What is it you do again? I can’t remember. I’m sorry.” He apologized politely.
She smiled knowingly.
“I’m sure you were never told, but work is well, thank you.” She playfully met his stare across the table.
He chuckled and leaned in just as Cassidy brought back the promised bread, salad, Rafe’s soup and water. Once she left, he caught her gaze again with his.
“You do realize you now have to tell me what you do, right? It is illegal in at least twelve states to tease a man like that.” He winked at her.
She felt a tiny brush of butterflies and giggled.
“I’m sure it’s not.”
It had been a while since she’d been on a date. Not that this was one, but the energy sparking between them at the moment was very first date like and admittedly nice.
In truth, she wasn’t interested in men or relationships anymore. After her marriage and a disastrous eight month relationship that followed, she was quite happily single these days.
He grinned and slid his hand across the table to where her fingers were caressing the small vase and just barely touched the tip of his fingers to hers.
“Tell me.” He coaxed. “Spy? Actor? Model? Nude model!” He grinned ear to ear.
She was feeling a buzz from their interaction unlike anything she’d ever felt and as much as she wanted Angie back, she also didn’t.
“I realize we’ve only met once before, but have you always had a smile like that? Because I think that could be classified as a weapon of some sort.” She flirted even while she was somewhat shocked by the maneuver.
He was clearly charmed and she saw a faint trace of a blush, before he looked away. She decided to call that a success.
Ordinarily she was very shy with new people and oftentimes awkward, but maybe it was because it was Angie’s brother and therefore knew nothing between them could go past this, it felt safe.
“Well, I imagine back when we met I didn’t have much to smile about. So we’ll just say it’s new.”
She was quiet for a moment, not sure whether or not to continue this foolish game, but then figured, why not? It was one lunch then he’d be gone.
“I’m glad then you’ve found it. It’s sexy.” She smiled and held his gaze as long as she could before looking over at the table across the way.
“Likewise Ms. Parish. Likewise.”
She caught a hint of a smile from the corner of her eye, but couldn’t bring herself to look directly at him. She covered her smile with her hand and tried to catch her breath without obviously showing him the affect he was having on her.
“I have to go. Well not right this second, but…” Angie plopped back down in her seat. “Yeah, right this second.”
Sofia reached across the table and grabbed Angie’s hands.
“What’s happened?”
“It’s Gillian, she has a fever and she won’t stop crying and the sitter is sounding slightly frantic and…” Angie drew a deep breath. “I have to go.”
“Of course you do.” Sofia stood.
Angie looked dazed as she grabbed for her bag.
“Do you need me to drive you?” Sofia offered.
“No. No I’m fine, just…” Angie looked right into her eyes with such deep emotion. “Tired. Really, truly, profusely tired.”
Sofia hugged her tight.
“It’ll all be worth it. I promise. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
“No, don’t. My head’s already at home. Stay. Have lunch.” She gave her brother a harsh glare. “On Rafe.”
Sofia giggled.
“It’s the least he can do.” Angie pushed.
Sofia rolled her eyes. These two were something else.
She pushed Angie in the direction of the door. “Just go and call me later.”
Angie sort of gave a half-hearted wave back as she walked away. Once she was out of view, Sofia turned back to Rafe.
“Well, this is awkward.”
Just as she spoke, Cassidy came with a large tray of food.
“Is there a problem?” The girl seemed concerned and confused.
Sofia realized they were all standing and hadn’t even touched the salad and bread she’d already brought them. The poor girl probably thought they were going to run out on her. She sat back down, placing her napkin across her lap and smiled up.
“No, no trouble. My friend had to leave to check on her baby, but Rafe and I are still here.”
“Oh no, that’s awful. I hope everything is okay.” Cassidy seemed genuinely concerned.
“I think it will be. First time mom. She adopted a two year old from another country, the poor girl hasn’t settled in yet and my friend is…”
“A mom.” The girl smiled down and Sofia smiled back.
“Exactly.”
Rafe sat back down as well. Until that moment, she’d pretty much blocked him out. Now she was reminded again of his presence and that she was alone with him, which shouldn’t have mattered, but all of a sudden felt as if it was a serious problem. The simple flirtations of earlier weren’t an issue, because Angie was about to be back. Now it was just herself and Rafe and that felt like it changed everything. As soon as Cassidy left, she determined to immediately get things back on safe, solid, and platonic ground.
She toyed with a long strand of dark hair that was hanging loose near her face and inhaled the scent of garlic and tomato sauce.
“This looks amazing.” She grabbed a breadstick before breaking open her calzone and letting some of the heat out.
“This is one of my favorite places. We used to come here as a family a lot in the eighties I seem to recall. It always made me want to visit Italy someday.” He dished her a plate of salad, then took some for himself.
She looked at him curiously and realized though she knew a lot about him, she also knew very little.
“Have you ever been to Italy?”
“No. Never have. Catherine was never very fond of travel, but honestly, I have dreams.” His tone spoke of passion and vulnerability and for just a second, she caught a glimpse of the man behind the polished exterior.
“You should visit Tuscany.” She spoke with authority as she took another bite of food.
“Have you been?” He parroted her question.
She felt guilty as if she’d been caught in a lie and she laughed.
“No. But I’ve always dreamed of it myself.” She laughed softly. “I may not be much of a dream follower personally, but I do love to encourage other people to do it!”
“We should go together.” He made the offer as easily as if he’d asked her if she wanted more bread. “Lunch in Tuscany. Then a bath for two in a tub that looks out over the Italian countryside.”
She literally lost her breath and places of her anatomy were doing things they hadn’t done for years. Her mouth dropped open softly and though she knew he was just being flirtatious, just making conversation, something about the scenario spoke so deeply to her that longing opened up, and with it, memories from her past she thought long forgotten.
“I’m sorry. Too much?” He looked at her concerned.
“No. Oh no, please don’t be sorry. That was the nicest thing anyone’s said to me in years. It just… it reminded me of something else. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a downer.”
He pushed his chair into the table closer and reached across until he had both her hands in his and squeezed them with great care.
For a moment she held her breath. With her gifts she was always careful about whom she let touch her, especially unexpectedly. Usually the contact was followed by images and emotions that weren’t hers and she had little ability to control.
What she noticed most when Rafe touched her, was... nothing.
“If that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to you in that long, you, my dear, need to get out more. Whatever it was from the past, let it go. It’s not who you are now and it’s not the life you have now. It has no power over you.”
He smiled at her and as he looked deeply into her eyes. She felt her soul lighten and tears welled up in her eyes.
She blinked the tears back and laughed on a breath.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
He released her hands and they went back to eating. She wondered though if she were a fool to think he actually meant that.
It would have been nice if he had, but people always said nice things when they didn’t know you. There was something different about Rafe though, maybe it was just that he seemed so happy and it had been a long time since she’d met anyone truly happy. Well, Cay and Summer, her two best friends were pretty happy most of the time… especially Summer. Summer was…
She shook her head, realizing she was running rapidly down rabbit trails.
“You never did tell me what you do.” He said with a half-smile before taking another bite of salad.
“I don’t know any men who eat salad and drink water. Is that a Connecticut thing?”
“Subtle.” He toasted her with his glass of water.
She smiled, pleased with herself that she had both diverted him, and that he had noticed.
“I’m not sure I’m the best one to ask. I don’t think I’ve ever entirely fit in up there. It was where Catherine’s family was. Two years into our marriage, she suddenly wanted to move back. When I resisted, she went without me.” He shrugged and took another forkful of leafy greens. “It was either move or…”
“That’s awful! You don’t do that in a marriage.” She felt outraged on his behalf.
“Thank you. That’s what I said.” He smiled, but there was pain in it.
She shook her head and swallowed the emotion wanting to bubble to the surface. As a Libra, she was everyone’s defender. It was a very bad habit and one she had to keep an eye on.
“What about you? Weren’t you married when last we met?” He inquired.
She tried to do the math in her head, but then realized it really didn’t matter.
“Not sure, but I’ve been divorced a few years now. Only lasted seven years, but we’re friends now.” There was sadness in her tone, but only because she still felt a sense of failure that her marriage hadn’t worked out.
“Eighteen here. In hindsight, I probably should have just let her leave me for Connecticut, but I’m a romantic. I wanted to save our marriage. I think I spent the remainder of our time together trying to make what she’d done okay on some level. You know like, well it was just that one time. She’s not really a selfish woman to her core that doesn’t give a damn about my feelings.” He smiled cheekily.
Sofia laughed though she immediately felt badly for it.
“I’m sorry. It’s not funny.”
He laughed in response.
“Ah, but it is. How can it be anything but?” He folded his napkin and dropped it on his plate.
She guessed that was it, lunch was over. He’d go back to Angie’s she’d go to her place… she chewed her lip.
“What?” He prodded.
She looked up, curious and confused.
“What, what?” She blinked at him innocently.
He laughed, dropping his head back. He had the warmest laugh and the best smile. She hadn’t been kidding or just flirting before. It was a thing of beauty.
“Oh my God, Sofia, you are adorable.”
She felt her cheeks burn while her stomach did a little flip and she had to catch her breath.
“I’m sorry. Too much?” He apologized.
She looked up into his eyes.
“It was nice. I’m just… very out of practice and you’re Angie’s baby brother. It’s a bit weird, don’t you think?”
Even as she questioned it, she hoped he’d say, No, it’s not, not at all.
“Maybe, if you think about it, but it’s not like I’m your brother.”
She smiled and looked away.
“Twice now you haven’t answered a question I’ve asked you. Is this just your thing?” He teased.
She gasped, playing shocked and appalled.
“I beg your pardon, there’s only been one thing I didn’t answer.” She felt like putting her hands on her hips and flouncing.
“No. Two.” He smirked and held up two fingers.
She narrowed her gaze at him.
“Fine, what were they?”
“The ever so subtly avoided work question. Then just a minute ago, you were chewing on that lower lip, you seem to only do that when you are trying not to say something. I asked you what?”
He seemed very pleased with himself, but she had to take a mental step back.
“Do I?” It wasn’t something she’d ever noticed. He couldn’t be right.
“Think back, three, four minutes ago, what were you thinking about?”
She traced back the conversation and realized she’d been wondering about asking him if he wanted to go to a movie or do something else with her, but she didn’t have the nerve.
Her mouth opened slowly in the awareness that he’d been right.
“You’re very observant. I don’t even think my ex-husband ever picked up on that.”
He got quiet and pushed his plate away.
She wanted to pry, because she had a sense that there was something to his observation, but it wasn’t her place.
“I find that rather appalling.” He seemed offended on her behalf.
She only shrugged. It was what it was. Jim had never been overly attentive. It was something she’d found attractive at first, but later left her feeling lonely and dismissed.
Cassidy came and left the check. She reached for it, but he was quicker.
“I’ll pay for mine.”
“Oh I think not!” He commanded.
She let her mouth drop open in shock offense.
“Oh yes I will!” She tried to be stern, but she felt the laughter running just beneath.
“And have Angie verbally castrate me when I get home?”
She gasped and placed both hands over her mouth as she burst into giggles.
“Uh-huh, I figured as much. I’m paying.” He smiled warmly and left a credit card on the tray.
She smiled at him, utterly charmed.
“So, I think until you tell me otherwise, I’m going with spy, and nude model on the side.” He wiggled his brows at her.
She was helpless to do anything but giggle.
Cassidy came and took his card. He folded his arms on the table and leaned over them, bringing himself closer to her.
“This has been the best time I’ve had in an age. Thank you for that.”
She blushed and lowered her gaze, then repeated back at him his own words from earlier.
“If this is the best time you’ve had in an age, then you, my dear, need to get out more.” She looked up and smiled at him and there was a moment where everything else seemed to disappear and she felt as if she’d known Rafe Cantor all her life.
“Thank you both and I hope your friend’s little one feels better soon.” Cassidy placed Rafe’s card back on the table, breaking the moment, but truthfully, Sofia knew that was for the best.
As they were leaving the restaurant, he put his hand in the small of her back to help her miss a near collision with a waiter. The brief touch sent a shiver across her skin and butterflies soaring. She didn’t want this to end, but it couldn’t go anywhere either.
When they stepped into the Florida sun, she reached in her bag for her sunglasses. As it turned out they were parked beside one another. He therefore walked her to her car, a pale blue Lexus, and held her door open for her.
“Nice car, whatever you do for a living, you must be doing all right.” He probed once more.
She smiled and smoothly answered back, “Or I’m just seriously in debt.”
“Touché!” He laughed.
She didn’t want to leave, but it would be ridiculous to think he could feel the same.
Still, as much as she hesitated to get into her car, he seemed to hesitate in leaving.
“I don’t have anything else to do this afternoon.” He spoke softly. “Unless you have secretive work stuff to attend to or something—” He smiled at her. “—do you want to hang out for a while?”
She thought about it a second too long. She saw the regret in his gaze and reached out to put her hand on his where it rested on the top of her car door.
“We can’t tell Angie. I think it would weird her out and she has enough on her plate right now.” She bit her lower lip.
He looked down at where she’d placed her hand atop his then back up into her eyes.
For what seemed like an endless amount of time, they simply stared into one another’s eyes. It was the strangest thing, so comfortable and so sexy.
“There’s nothing to tell her anyway.” One side of his mouth hitched up in a sexy half-smile and before she knew what was happening, he leaned in and kissed her.
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