Kiss of Fire (St. James Family) (23 page)

The dining room hushed and the lights dimmed as the server appeared with a cake lit by sparklers, heading straight for their table. “Congratulations from Mr. and Mrs. Van der Kind on your opening night,” he said said, setting the cake in front of Toni, who looked to Nat and Christophe. They both smiled widely, their faces lit up by of the fiery sparklers.

“You guys!” Toni exclaimed and Christophe lead them all in loud applause. The whole restaurant joined in and Toni felt herself blush. She blew out the candles, her heart beating a mile a minute. The hubbub died down and Toni found herself giggling uncontrollably. “I hate you guys.”

“
Congratulations little sister,” Nat said, sliding a narrow gold box tied with a white ribbon across the table.

“
Are you kidding me?”

“
Just open it,” Nat said, bringing her water to her lips. Toni looked at O'Donovan, who was staring at her, and untied the ribbon. Inside the box were a set of keys. Toni held them up, confused.

“
I already have keys to your place,” she said.

“
They're not to our place,” Nat said.

“
I don't get it.” Toni said, looking from Nat to Christophe to her parents. All of them were looking at her in a weird way.

“
They're to your place,” Nat said with a wide smile.

“
My place?” Toni said, more confused than ever.

“
On 100
th
and West End. Apartment 8H. It's all you.”

“
Wait, what?”

“
They're giving you an apartment,” O'Donovan said, his voice low beside her.

“
But... why?” Toni asked, looking to her sister and brother-in-law. Nat laughed.

“
Because we can,” she said, as if that answered all questions.

“
Thank you. Thank you so much,” Toni said, in shock, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. Her mother leaned forward, holding out another box, this one small and velvet.

“
Here's just a little something from me and Daddy,” her mother said, in a hushed tone, like she didn't want to draw attention to it. “Congratulations on your promotion, baby.” Toni opened the velvet box, revealing a diamond necklace.

“
Mommy!” Toni gasped again, looking from her mother's face to her father's. Rodrick St. James nodded knowingly, like it had been all his idea. “I can't believe it. I love it. Thank you.”

“
You're welcome, baby girl,” Rodrick said, sipping his after dinner espresso. Toni wiped away her tears, looking down at the cake in front of her.

“
Okay, I can only have a tiny sliver of this cake, but I'm going to enjoy every crumb. Wake Granny up and ask her if she wants some,” Toni said with a laugh. She glanced at O'Donovan again, and he was still staring at her, his face unreadable. He probably thought she was more spoiled than ever now, but she couldn't help that. With a sign, she turned back to the task at hand, slicing into the cake carefully and divvying up the pieces. When she glanced at him again, O'Donovan was tossing back the rest of his drink, looking like he wished he was anywhere but there.

***

The night sky opened up and a light rain had begun to fall. The streets were slick with a light sheen. Occupied taxis passed, and pedestrians ran for cover, trying to get in out of the rain. The St. James family piled out of the restaurant behind him, loud and more talkative after getting a little alcohol and food in their bellies. O'Donovan kept his distance, watching their faces under the light of the awning. Annata slung her arm over Christophe's shoulders, talking low in his ear, as Toni laughed loudly at something her spitfire of a grandma had said. Rodrick St. James checked his watch, and Marietta had a pleasant look on her face, watching Toni like a proud mama.

“
It's raining,” Toni announced, sticking her hand out under the awning, letting drops fall on her palm. O'Donovan chuckled to himself as he watched the looks on the women's faces as they scrambled to cover their hair. He remembered what Toni had told him in the shower once, about black women's hair and not wanting to get it wet. He shrugged out of his suit jacket, sliding it over Toni's shoulders. She took in a sharp little breath and looked up at him. She'd noticed how distant he'd been at dinner. He wanted to say something, but he didn't. What was there to say, anyway?

She smiled a secret smile just for him and he couldn't help it
—he pressed his mouth to her hair. Her fingers found his on her shoulder, and for a moment, he let her touch him. But then a black limo pulled up and he let her go. Christophe Van der Kind's limo, no doubt. He wondered what planet he was on. Champagne, lobster, limo rides, gifted apartments. Holy Mary. What a night. Toni furrowed her brow at his face, and he realized he was probably scowling.

“
I'll go with you,” she said, simply. “Back to Queens.”

He shook his head.“Early shift.”

“Liar,” she said, knowing he was off. He never could lie worth shit. He didn't reply, just stood back and watched as Christophe ushered Dorothy to the limo, followed by Annata and Marietta. Rodrick held his hand out to O'Donovan.

“
Good to meet you,” he said in his booming voice. O'Donovan nodded and shook his hand and then Rodrick hurried to the limo. O'Donovan couldn't help but be thankful that the rain had hastened the goodbyes. Christophe stood at the door, getting rained on, watching Toni and O'Donovan under the awning, as Rodrick ducked into the limo.

“
You coming?” Christophe called out. Toni waved him off and he slid into the limo, giving them privacy. The downpour picked up, splattering the sidewalk with big fat drops. Toni turned to O'Donovan.

“
I'll go with you.”

“
No,” he said. She widened her eyes in mock annoyance, jabbing him in the ribs. Trying to get a reaction. He wasn't in the mood to play along. “Go be with your family.”

“
Come with us then,” she said, her eyes tempting him with all that they promised.

“
No. I'm going to head back.”

“
My family is a lot, I know. But I think they like you.” O'Donovan didn't say anything and she glanced back to the limo, at the stray water flying every which way as it landed. “When will I see you again?” she said.

“
I'll call you.”

“
Okay,” she nodded, and turned. He couldn't resist, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into him, kissing her like he'd wanted to all night, even though her parents and everybody else were watching. He lifted the jacket over her head to cover them from prying eyes, and she slid her arms over his shoulders. Her lips were soft against his, her mouth warm. He could taste the sweet champagne on her breath. He still wanted her, so badly it was like a pulsating desire deep under his skin. He wondered if he would ever stop wanting her?

After a moment, he forced himself to pull away.

“Don't get your hair wet,” he said, with a smile. She smiled back, her lipstick smudged. Then she was gone, hopping puddles with his jacket over her head, heading for the limo. She stepped inside, giving him one last look before slamming the door shut. He stood rooted in place, watching the limo pull into traffic and head uptown. He watched until the headlights were no longer visible in the heavy rain.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he ducked out from under the safety of the awning, heading for his truck parked several blocks away. He was soaked within seconds, but he didn't mind too much. He felt numb, anyway. He'd made his decision half-way through dinner, after Toni had been showered with ludicrously extravagant gifts, and then it had been confirmed when Van der Kind picked up the check and no one batted an eye. He'd known this moment would come, but he'd been in denial about how soon. Toni was not the girl for him. Fancy dinners, limos, money flowing like champagne, nights at the ballet. They weren't him. They never would be.

Gwen had tried to fit him in that mold once. She'd failed, and Toni would fail too. Gwen's appearance earlier that night had all but cemented it. Toni and Gwen belonged on the Upper West side; he did not. He knew what he had to look forward to, the longer he stayed with Toni. They would become another landmine of a relationship that took him too damn long to get over. If he ever did. Toni wasn't the type one simply got over. No. He needed a distraction. A good girl. A girl next door. A girl he could see himself marrying.

A girl like Brigid O'Reilly.

Chapter 14

Toni was going crazy. Her brain was occupied all day everyday with shows and rehearsal, but somehow, there still seemed to be room for dirty thoughts. Thoughts about O'Donovan. Thoughts about loving him long and slow, fast and hard, standing up in the shower, or flat on her back on the table in the cabin. She only had one day off, Monday, until the show's run was up, and O'Donovan never had Mondays off. As it was, she hadn't seen him in over a week. In fact, she'd barely heard from him. But she didn't put too much time into over-thinking it. No ma'am. He was busy, she was busy. When her schedule went back to normal, they would get back to normal.

But... she was beginning to think something was wrong. Not that she was over-thinking it. Ever since her opening night, something had been off. Strained. He said he would call and he never did. When she called or texted him, he would answer or call her back eventually, but he didn't seem to be in any hurry to. She was convinced that as soon as they were spending time together again, any strain would be a distant memory. When they were together, nothing seemed to break through their happiness. Together, they were bulletproof. And of course, he still hadn't said the words. The words that she was longing to hear. So she worked her ass off, performed every day, sometimes twice a day, giving her all to the audience. Dancing was her only reprieve from the nagging thoughts.

After the show on Friday, Toni got a text from Nat.

Nat:
Meet me at 100
th
and West End. 20 minutes?

Toni smiled, a burst of excitement hitting her. She hadn't had any time to visit her new apartment yet, and she was so psyched to finally see it. Empty cabs were prevalent, but she hurried to the train as fast as her aching feet would carry her. She rode one stop past Nat's on the 1 train and got out at 103. The summer night was balmy, great for a walk. At the corner that Nat had specified, she looked around. Townhouses and pre-war buildings surrounded her, as well as tall leafy trees. It was a quiet residential neighborhood, anchored by Columbia University, a few blocks from Nat and Christophe's townhouse, as well as Riverside park.

“
Hey girl,” Nat said, and Toni turned to find her exiting the backseat of a black car on the corner. Christophe exited out of the other side of the car, glancing around for traffic. Nat stepped onto the curb and looked around. “What do you think of this neighborhood?”

“
I'm digging it,” Toni said.

“
Not hip, but not too sleepy either. Right?”

“
Yeah.” Toni nodded, pulling out her keys. She jingled them loudly. “Come on! I'm dying of suspense.” Nat held out an arm and Toni linked her arm through. They walked past a few brownstones and reached a co-op building with an awning and a red carpet out front. Nat led her inside, Christophe following behind.

“
Hello,” Nat greeted the doorman who smiled and nodded as he watched them pass. Toni made a mental note to get his name later. They got in the elevator and Nat pressed the button for the top floor, 8. “It's a small building, mostly owners. Very few renters. Not overly fancy.” Nat said.

“
Totally,” Toni agreed. The elevator doors rumbled open and Nat lead her to the apartment at the end of the hall. 8H. Her new apartment. Toni could barely believe it.

“
Do the honors,” Christophe said, and Toni unlocked the door, her hands shaking.

“
Now is not the best time to show it to you, because you can't see what kind of light it gets, but you're so damn busy,” Nat said, flipping a switch, illuminating a short hallway that lead to a sunken living room. “Nighttime was the only time we could show you.” Toni followed Nat down the hallway, looking around. The ceilings were high, the wood floor was oak. “Here's a little powder room for guests,” Nat said, opening a door, and turning on the bathroom light. Toni glanced in at a remodeled marble bathroom. “Whatever paint color you want or wallpaper, we'll tell the contractor,” Nat continued, sweeping down the hallway before Toni could say anything. She glanced at Christophe, mouth open. He just smiled.

“
Christophe...” Toni said, raising her eyebrows.

“
Go on. She wanted to give you the tour,” he said, chuckling. Toni narrowed her eyes at him, but followed her sister into the living room.

“
I thought you might like the sunken look. It adds character,” Nat said, then pointed to the right. “And you have an all-new kitchen, with a dining room off to the side.”