Pain Lived, Love Found 2 (12 page)

“We grew up. Changing bed buddies like you change your socks, working hard, and playing even harder - that stuff gets old, man. It’s not enough for me anymore. Coming home to a big empty house isn’t the good life to me; it’s a lonely life, and I want to change that.”

“What about kids? Do you want kids too?”

“I wouldn’t mind them, but it also depends on my wife. If she’s my age and wants kids then there’s a lot of important factors to consider such as infertility and things of that sort. I guess you can say that I’m open to the possibility of being a father, even if we adopt.”

“Wow, I never thought you’d go the adoption route. That’s a huge step, loving someone else’s kid, but it’s cool too. I want kids. I like the thought of having a junior running around, and a little girl to spoil rotten. I thought the bachelor life was for me, but like you said, it’s lonely. Banging the hottest chick was fun for a while, but it lost its appeal for me a long time ago. People think that’s all I’m about and I hate that. I know it’s mostly my fault, but honestly, Ro, that hasn’t been me for a very long time.”

I heard the sincerity in my cousin’s voice and I knew he was speaking from the heart. I’d also seen the changes in him over the years. He didn’t go out nearly as much as he used to, and he hadn’t been attached to any woman in quite some time - even before Lola came into the picture. Women he would typically go after didn’t even catch his eye anymore, but now that he was head over heels for Lola, I knew she has a lot to do with that. He only had eyes for her.

“Here’s to changed men.”

I raised my shot glass in the air for a toast.

Ace smiled and raised his glass as well.  “To changed men,” he toasted.

Our glasses clinked and we finished off our drinks. I paid for our lunch, but we stayed a little while longer to figure out a way to get out of the pit hole of red tape these dirty politicians had thrown me and my company into.

Saturday came so fast I honestly didn’t know where the time went. I was so busy cleaning my apartment from top to bottom, moving in, and fighting with Sloane because she insisted on helping with everything, that I didn’t have time to think about the charity event. However, that didn’t mean that I didn’t think about Roman during all that either. In the meantime, Luca and I had to double team Sloane to make her take a few days to rest. We knew Sloane was pushing herself and fighting off the exhaustion she felt to help me, and Luca and I didn’t like it. Finally she listened to us after we both expressed how worried we were about her and the health of the baby. Luca was so worried about his wife that he was prepared to babysit her every day to ensure that she got the proper rest that she and their baby needed. As a matter of fact, he threatened to do just that, and Sloane knew her husband never made idle threats.

As planned, I furnished my apartment with Sloane’s old living room set, a few of her kitchen knickknacks including her kitchen table and chairs set, and Sloane bought my bed. I asked for a reasonably-priced bed, but of course she got the most expensive bed she could find. I must admit, I love huge four-poster beds, and the mattresses Sloane bought for it felt like heaven. They weren’t too soft and they weren’t too firm; they were just right.

Friday night I went by Sandy’s house and we had a very long talk about everything from my date with Roman at the ball, what caused me to break down afterwards, and why I chose to go to Sloane for help. Over the years I’ve confided in Sandy about a lot of things, but the things I shared with her that night was all new to her. Like a true friend, she sat and listened without judgment. We hugged, we cried, and we laughed a few times.

“I’m happy you’re seeing a therapist, Sarah. I’m glad you’re getting as much help as you possibly can. You’re glowing, happy, and healthy and I couldn’t ask for more. And I’m happy you’re taking a chance with Roman. He sounds like a good man, and it’s high time you have a good man in your life, Sarah. You deserve to be happy.”

Sandy was holding my hands in hers as she spoke to me. I felt more tears welling up in my eyes at her kind, heartfelt words. “Thank you, Sandy. For the first time in my life I believe that I deserve to be happy too.”

“So, about this official date you guys are going to have tomorrow night, you’re gonna need the fabulous glam squad of Trevor and Megan again. Let me call them and see if they can come by your place to hook you up,” Sandy said as she jumped up to get her cell phone from the kitchen table. When she returned to the couch I said, “This is so last minute, Sandy, if they can’t do it it’s fine. I can do my own hair and makeup if need be.”

Sandy was waving me off as she began to speak to Trevor. After she asked him to do this favor for me I heard his emphatic, “Yes, girl!” through the phone and laughed.

“Thank you Trevor!” I yelled.

Sandy called Megan next and she also excitedly agreed to come by my place tomorrow night. I hugged and thanked Sandy over and over before I headed home, smiling and happy.

I took a nice bath to soak my aching bones from all the cleaning and moving I did. Michael and Junior helped me move, but after everyone left, I rearranged the furniture three more times before I liked what I saw. I’m very anal that way. After my bath I washed and deep conditioned my hair and blow dried it out. While in my silk robe, I took my dress out that I was wearing to the event and hung it outside of my closet door. I sat on my bed and stared at it until I heard my doorbell ring. Trevor and Megan had arrived.

I buzzed them inside and waited for their knock on my door. Once I heard the knock, I checked the peephole to make sure it was them, and opened the door. I was greeted by hugs and kisses from them both.

“This is cute. I like your place, honey,” Trevor said as he wheeled his suitcase full of equipment inside.

“This is really nice, Sarah,” Megan chimed in.

“Thanks, guys, I have a lot of decorating to do, but I like it. It’s cozy and it’s just right for me. Let me show you the bathroom and you can get set up.”

My bathroom had great lighting and a long, rectangular mirror that took up an entire wall.  While Trevor and Megan unloaded their equipment and got set up, I told them about the ball and the nice time I had. I saved the juicy parts about Roman for last, and the squeals and giggles from Trevor and Megan could probably be heard for miles.

“Oh my GOD, Sarah, how romantic was your night? You had a real-life Cinderella date!” Trevor exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.

“Women dream of having something so romantic like that happen to them. I still hope and pray it happens to me,” Megan replied with a dreamy expression on her face.

I was sitting in a chair while Trevor was applying my makeup. “It definitely wasn’t expected, but I’m glad it happened.” I couldn’t help but think that had I not agreed to do this favor for Sandy, I would have never met Roman and my life would still be in a state of disarray. Meeting Roman was a blessing in more ways than one. Soon Trevor finished with my makeup and once again, he gave me dramatic eyes and neutral lips. I didn’t show them my dress right away because I wanted it to be a surprise. I told Megan I wanted a sexy, messy up do. After curling my hair in loose curls, she gave me exactly that. Afterwards I left to put on my black Stella McCartney goddess gown. It was made of silk with pleats throughout the elegant, flowing dress, and to complete the look, there was a gold metal belt to show off your waist. The one sleeve the dress had was puffy which added to the uniqueness of the dress. I felt like a Greek goddess. Sloane and I both agreed to keep the accessories simple, so I opted not to wear a necklace. Instead I bought some beautiful gold dangling earrings and a thick gold cuff bracelet that matched my belt. Sloane found a beautiful pair of strappy, Giuseppe Zanotti, high-heeled sandals with gold ankle straps that wrapped around my ankles like a snake. These shoes were so sexy to me! When I walked into the living room where Trevor and Megan were waiting for me, their mouths hit the floor.

“You look…stunning,” Megan whispered.

“Stunning? Honey she is SNATCHED from head to toe! Twirl for me, diva, I need to see all angles of your beauty!” Trevor exclaimed.

I laughed as I twirled dramatically for him giving my best model poses. “I can’t thank you guys enough. As soon as I get some money I’m going to pay you both for hooking me up.”

Words couldn’t express the gratitude I felt for Trevor and Megan.

“You’re not paying me a red cent. You are family now, and whatever I can do for you, honey, I’m there,” Trevor responded as he walked over to me to give me air kisses and a hug.

Megan came over to us as well and hugged me tightly, “Same here. You’re family, so any time I can help, I’m there. Sandy is good people and we knew you had to be good people too when she asked for the favor the first time.”

I was far from a good person. I simply couldn’t call myself that yet. Being a good person is what I was striving to become again. Many years ago I had been a good person, and I wanted to be that person again.  That meant I had to learn to trust again and not be so quick to put on a happy face when I was not happy. That was going to be hard, but I wanted to try.

Snapping out of my reverie, I quickly responded, “Thank you both. You are so kind and giving and I promise I’m going to do something to make it up to you, and I don’t want any back talk either.”

Trevor and Megan both smiled and didn’t argue any further. It was almost time for Roman to arrive so Trevor and Megan said their goodbyes and wished me luck on my date. Just moments after they had left my doorbell rang. I became instantly nervous and anxious. Trevor and Megan were the calming effect I needed as I prepared for my evening with Roman. They had made me talk and laugh which kept my mind off of how nervous I was. Now that they were gone, my nerves went into overdrive. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered like crazy, and my hands began to tremble slightly. My heart was beating fast as I grabbed my black clutch and threw my keys and phone inside of it. I closed and locked my door and walked carefully down the stairs that led to the main floor down the hallway to the front door. Through the front door I saw a dashing Roman standing there waiting for me. I smiled as I opened the door, my heart now in my throat as I looked at him. His tailor-made, double-breasted tuxedo with peaked lapels laid on him perfectly, showcasing his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His hair was freshly cut and his beard neatly shaped. He smiled at me in return, his eyes full of approval as he took me in from head to toe.

“Hi.”

“Hi, Sarah,” Roman replied in that deep sexy voice of his. “You look beautiful, like a Greek goddess.”

I blushed immediately, I couldn’t help it. The way his eyes took their time to roam over my body made warmth gently prickle my skin. “Thank you. You look handsome as always.”

“Thank you,” Roman smiled.

I took his arm as he walked me to his car. He opened the door for me and helped me inside. I immediately noticed that he wore a different cologne this time, but it was just as alluring and pleasing to the senses as the other one. He smoothly pulled into traffic and headed downtown. Roman had informed me that the charity ball was being held at the art museum this year.

While I was desperately trying to get my nerves under control, Roman began to speak.

“You live in a nice area. How you do like your new apartment?”

My eyes became transfixed on his strong hand as it easily shifted gears while he drove his sleek, sporty Porsche. I itched to touch the black hairs that covered his hand and knuckles. Catching myself, I quickly responded, hoping he didn’t notice how distracted I was.

“I love it. It’s just a few blocks away from my sister Sloane and her husband Luca. They’re expecting a baby so I’m glad I’ll be nearby to help them out once my niece or nephew gets here.”

“Luca Santorini? Of Santorini Construction?” Roman asked surprised.

“Yes,” I said in return as I smiled at him. “Do you know Luca?”

“No, I don’t know him personally. I’ve never met him, but I know of him. His family has one of the most successful construction companies in the Mid-west. Once the purchase of the land I’m buying goes through, I had planned on reaching out to him about my building plans. Talk about a small world.”

Roman glanced at me with a handsome smile.

“It’s a small world, indeed. I can tell you that Luca is a very nice and fair person, and I’m sure he’d be happy to meet with you and help you where he can.”

I didn’t know my brother-in-law that well, but I’m a pretty good judge of character and I knew he was a good man.

“Well I think it’s great to be close to your family. All of my family are back in New York, besides my cousin Ace. He’s my business partner and he moved out here with me.”

“Well at least you’re not completely alone here in Detroit.” I replied as I looked at his profile. He looked so noble and well dressed in his tuxedo. Everything about him oozed confidence and strength from his square, chiseled jawline and his strong chin to his proud Italian nose. I loved that his face had imperfections because it gave him character. There was a roughness underneath the elegance that he effortlessly displayed. I could just as easily picture him in blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a black leather jacket with some worn, black motorcycle boots.

Good Lord, why did I put that image in my head? Now my heart is beating even faster, and the palms of my hands are now sweating. Boy oh boy did I like the image of Roman in leather…

“Earth to Sarah, did you hear me?” came Roman’s deep voice, interrupting my sexy thoughts of him.

“Huh? Oh, I’m so sorry, what did you say?” I was completely embarrassed now.

“I asked if you had any more siblings besides your sister,” Roman repeated as he gave me a humorous smile.

“Yes, yes I do. I have another sister Carly who lives in Atlanta with her husband and two kids, and I have three brothers: Johnny, Michael, and Evan who are all here in Detroit. I’m the oldest of the family.”

“It must be nice coming from a big family. I’m also the oldest of four, all boys: Rodrigo, Reese, and Rinaldo. They are all married with families of their own living in different parts of New York, but not too far from everyone.”

I was curious so I had to ask, “Do you want to have a wife and kids?”

Roman glanced at me, his hands tightening and then relaxing on the steering wheel before he smoothly switched lanes. “Now I do. When I was younger - no. My life back then wasn’t conducive to having a family. I did the right thing to wait.”

There was a lot about that statement that made me read between the lines, but I didn’t want to assume too much about Roman. I remembered the night on the balcony, when he spoke about regrets and mistakes, and I’m almost sure that he has a painful past that made him forgo having a family. We’re more alike than I thought.

“I understand.” I did understand. If he wanted to tell me more he would have. I could see that it wasn’t a subject he wanted to talk about so I thought it was best to just leave the conversation where it was. Maybe he’ll be willing to discuss it later, but I won’t pressure him. Soon we were driving up to the front entrance of the art museum.

Roman parked his car out front and helped me out. He then handed his keys to the valet and we walked inside. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than the ball, and I didn’t feel the added pressure of having to go above and beyond to impress Roman or others.  Even though this was an official date, Roman and I agreed to stick with the story we came up with at the ball as to how we met and what I do for a living. I could tell that Roman was more relaxed as well. When we walked inside he was holding my hand, and he didn’t release it as we weaved our way through the crowd, nor did I mind. I liked the tingling feelings I got when our skin touched. I liked being his date, his woman, for the night.