Penny Serenade (3 page)

The fact she noticed made his day. “Well, it’s your sweet sixteen, so I couldn’t get you just anything. It was the bracelet or a book on how you’re not allowed to date until you’re thirty.”

She laughed.
“Right.
Too late.”

His grin diminished. “What?” He glanced at his sister and was met with a smirk.

“Tell me about it,” she said and held up a lock of her chestnut brown hair. “I see myself full-on gray within six months.”

He chuckled half-heartedly. The idea of his niece going out with boys didn’t sit well with him, but he didn’t get a say in the matter. His sister had done her best in raising a daughter all on her own, and he knew she was strong enough to handle anything.

“Well, I’m starving. Nice pick for dinner by the way,” he said, nudging his niece.

Chloe beamed at him. “Thanks. It has been so warm so I didn’t think mom would make my favorite, but I wore her down with my charm.”

Dominic knew all about that charm, and couldn’t resist giving his sister grief. “You’re such a pushover.”

Julie put her hands up. “What can I say? She’s good. Did you want wine tonight?”

“I don’t think so tonight,” he said. “Thanks anyway.”

They sat around the table and enjoyed plates full of spaghetti with extra garlicky garlic bread, a personal request by Chloe. Halfway into the meal Dominic forgot about the headache of a day he’d had. His niece kept the conversation energetic with talk about school, her plans for summer, and all the movies she wanted to see.

When they’d finished the meal, his sister brought out a massive white cake with butter cream frosting, and together they sang happy birthday. Chloe closed her eyes to make her wish and blew out the candles, sending a sizable cloud of smoke his way. Dominic made a wish of his own. He wished that one day he’d like his job instead of feeling like it was a burden to work there. It would make life easier. One thing that did go easy was the cake with a big scoop of French vanilla ice cream on the side. Cake with butter cream frosting was his favorite dessert, hands down. He dug in and moaned over the sugary goodness.

When he finished the last bite he glanced around the table. “Everything was delicious,” he said and eyed the cake. A second piece might be a mistake.

“It really was great. I’m stuffed,” Chloe announced after licking her fork clean. She glanced up at her mom with an expectant look. “Would it be okay if I called my friends and bragged about my great birthday?”

His sister’s gaze swung his direction for confirmation, and he nodded. Chloe flashed her hazel eyes his way and gave him the sweetest smile. “Thanks for coming to my party. And thank you so much for my bracelet.”

Dominic grinned. “You’re welcome, now go make those calls.” He listened to her run up the stairs, and then turned to his sister. “Did you want me to help clean up?”

“Nah, I got it,” she said and waved him off. “Thanks for asking.”

“You’ve done well with her,” he said, his tone serious. “I hope you know that.”

She shook her head. “Some days I don’t want to get out of bed for fear of what’s next.”

“She’s a good kid,” he stated, wanting to reassure her. “Doesn’t smoke or drink, hasn’t been expelled or tried drugs. She’s respectful and honest. You should be proud.”

“I am.” Julie’s voice sounded worn. “I’m proud of the kindhearted young lady that she’s become. I still worry, though. She’s my world and it would kill me if anything happened to her.”

Dominic nodded. “I second that.” He patted his full stomach and eased from the chair. “Remind me next time to stop at four pieces of garlic bread. That fifth one about did me in.”

“Like you’ve ever been able to resist garlic bread,” she retorted with a mischievous look.

Now that she mentioned it, he had always ate too much of the toasted bread, extra garlicky just like Chloe preferred. “I guess, hey? Call me an addict.”

“You would steal mine,” she started, “and then you’d tell mom I fed it to the dog. You were such a pain.”

His sister’s memory was far too good. “That’s what little brothers are for.”

“It’s a shame you haven’t grown out of that,” she added and he couldn’t help but laugh.

“I see where this is headed and know I won’t win.” He took his napkin from his lap and wadded it up. “Sounds like a good time to bail.”

“You’re welcome to stay longer. No need to rush off. We can even have some of dad’s old hooch.”

The thought of the tasty golden liquid piqued his interest. His sister had the last two bottles and they only shared it on special occasions. Much as he wanted to stay, exhaustion seeped into every bone in his body.

“I’d like to, but I should head out.
Early morning staff meeting and all that jazz.”
The tension he’d let go of at dinner returned at the mere mention of his job. It would take a whole bottle of hooch to help him relax at this point. He pushed the chair back and got up slow, the food heavy in his gut.

His sister stood and patted his shoulder. “I’m sorry work isn’t more fulfilling for you.”

“Not your fault,” he maintained. “I always knew dad would leave me the business. If I’d had the nerve I would’ve told him how I felt before he died. My silence sealed my fate.”

Dominic winced at his own words. He didn’t want to burden his sister on the day of her daughter’s birthday. “But enough of that, I had a great time tonight. Best spaghetti ever.”

“It’s the same way I make it every time,” she said, picking lint from his shirt. Julie always did look out for him.

He shrugged. “Well for some reason it tasted even better tonight.”

“That flattery will get you another invite to dinner,” she said.

Dominic jutted out his chin. “Guess I’ve still got it.”

His sister snickered and walked with him to the door. “You won big points with the bracelet. Even
I’m
impressed.”

He stifled a snort and reached for his shoes. “Hey, you get partial credit for telling me where to shop. Can’t say I would’ve ever gone in there. It’s only a couple blocks away from my work and I never noticed it.”

“We stop in there all the time,” his sister explained. “There are some beautiful things in there.”

Dominic nodded. He
had
seen something beautiful all right. A woman who had the most striking honey-colored eyes, despite the way they’d stared him down with daggers.

His sister slugged him in the arm.
Hard.
He reached up and rubbed the sore spot she’d left behind.
“
Oww
.”

“That’s what you get for wearing that silly grin.”

“What grin?” He gave her a confused look and went back to tying his shoes. “I wasn’t grinning.”

“You were,” she insisted. “You had one of those goofy grins that if I remember right is reserved for only one thing.
A woman.”

Heat tinged his ears. “Nah,” he lied, knowing she wouldn’t buy it. He had a feeling he
had
been grinning like a complete dork.

“Spill it,” she said, blocking him from the door as he stood, “or I’ll tell Chloe, and you know she’ll badger you about it worse than me.”

“I’m innocent I tell you.” He gave her the puppy eyes, something she couldn’t resist when they were younger.

Julie crossed her arms. “You can’t fool your sister. I know you too well. Innocent never once came up in all the years we lived under the same roof.”

She had a point. “It’s nothing.
Really.
I mean, the woman who works at the shop is very attractive, but trust me…I made the worst impression on her possible.”

“Talking first and then thinking later?”

Damn, she knew him way too well. He nodded.

“You’re good at that,” she quipped.

“It wasn’t intentional,” he groaned, “but I’ve a feeling I said something wrong.”

His sister snorted. “Well, you could fix that and say you’re sorry.
Us
women folk like to see men folk grovel. In case you didn’t know.”

He learned that one early on. “Oh I know it. You ladies are a tough crowd.” Dominic leaned against the doorframe. “Ah, who knows, maybe I’ll stop back in, I don’t know. It might be too awkward. Anyhow, I better get going. See you soon.”

Dominic gave her a quick hug and opened the door. The night had cooled but he had a feeling his car would still be too hot.

“Drive careful,” his sister urged. “No speeding.”

“I promise to take it easy.
Night.”

He opened the door to his car and staggered back. A wave of sweltering heat punched him in the face. Yep, it would suck driving home.

“Something wrong,” called out his sister.

“No, I’m good.” If he told her about the air conditioning, she’d give him a hard time.

He climbed in and headed for home. Some decent tunes played from the radio and he sang along, off-key of course.

A few minutes into the chorus he realized that his shoulders weren’t bunched up around his neck. He felt relaxed. Dominic wondered if that had anything to do with switching his thoughts about his job to the woman from the shop. Julie had said he’d been grinning in a goofy way. If that’s what it took to change a bad day around, he was game. Hell, he’d much rather think about her, the curve of her body, and the way her lips parted when she fumed. She moved around the shop all graceful and confident. He’d felt her gaze on him from the second he stepped inside her store, the way it heated him straight through to his core. He thought he’d seen a hunger in her eyes, or perhaps it had been wishful thinking. All he knew was that his mind blanked right about then. He struggled to ignore the impulse to stalk over and kiss her breathless, just to gauge her reaction. If he had, he’d not only be
thinking
about her lips, he’d still be savoring their flavor on his own right now. Those feisty lips had to feel good.

His erection pressed tight against his zipper, as if in agreement and he adjusted himself. Damn, she really had left an impression on him. Maybe he would stop in again, and see if the instant attraction was a one-time thing or if there was more to it. First he’d have to think up a solid reason for going back. That was, if she allowed him in the store. He had a feeling the welcome sign no longer applied to him.

Chapter Two

Audrey grabbed her spiral notebook and placed the ‘back in one hour’ sign in the window. Her stomach grumbled, letting her know it was well past noon and she was running late for lunch. The weather was pleasant, albeit a bit warm for her dark skirt and emerald blouse. She kept her shop at a nice cool temperature, so she could dress against the elements, which helped since she hated to shop for summer clothes. Not one to workout, she always felt her body too soft to wear sleeveless t-shirts and tank tops. Maybe someday she’d purchase a pair of dumbbells and tone up.
Maybe.

Her stomach grumbled again and she hurried her pace. Caramel Springs Café was her favorite place to go and was about a five minute walk from work. There she could escape for an hour and no one disturbed her.

She reached the café and opened the wide glass door. Delicious smells circled around her, making her stomach grumble louder. The list of specials was written in pink on a large chalkboard with balloons around the border. A small line had already assembled in front of the counter, but fortunately it moved fast and it wasn’t long before Audrey found herself at the front. She ordered her usual vanilla chai tea and a toasted honey bagel. Food tray in tow she ventured to a table in the corner and sat down. Her feet appreciated the break as much as she did. From the condiment holder she fished out a packet of honey and drizzled half of it into her tea. She swirled the cup in her hands and let out a contented sigh.

Her stomach gurgled with pleasure as she polished off the bagel and sipped chai. She leaned back in the chair and relaxed. The sun shone through the tall window beside her and warmed her skin. Hanging baskets with an explosion of pinks, blues, and lavender hung overhead, their fragrance sweet but subtle. Her lips curled. So far it had been a good day.

Hunger sated, she wiped her fingers on a napkin and opened her notebook to a blank page, ready to write down the new affirmations that had been buzzing in her head all morning. The words came to her with ease, a welcome change after the writer’s block she’d suffered for weeks. Audrey didn’t really know if it had been writer’s block, but it made it more bearable to give it a name than to admit she’d blanked. Whatever the reason for the return of her inspiration, she was grateful.