Say Ye (22 page)

As they greeted each other, Lorenzo sensed something was off with Lee but he knew his friend would tell him if he wanted to talk. They walked upstairs, so Lee could look at the plans for the remodel of the master bedroom and bath.

“Seems fine,” Lee said as they stood in the empty master bedroom. It still smelled freshly vacuumed. Lita had cleaned the upstairs with methodical thoroughness the last few days, even though he told her the workmen would make a mess of it. “You’re not making that many changes. It shouldn’t be a problem to get the work done in the next month.”

“No doubt Vincente wouldn’t recommend anyone who couldn’t come through. You think Lita will be happy with it all?”

“Didn’t you talk to her about it?”

“Yeah, of course. She picked out the paint colors and most of the furniture, told me what was important to her in the bathroom fixtures. The walk-in closet’s going to be a surprise. But you know she’s not much for looking at the plans. I thought you’d have a better eye for seeing how it will turn out, if I’ve missed anything.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it all. That bathroom is twice the size of the one at Jane’s. Did you ever see her tiny closet there?”

“I noticed. She had half her clothes in your old room.” He hoped Lee wouldn’t ask when he’d seen it. Lee still didn’t know about the incident with Rich. “Now she can have everything in one spot, all organized the way she wants.”

“There’ll be no stopping her now. Jane tried to make her get rid of stuff, but Lita loves her clothes, shoes, and all that.”

“I don’t mind. You should’ve seen Carlo and Janetta’s faces when I brought Lita’s things over there Friday night.”

Lee frowned. “You think Janetta doesn’t like Lita? Everyone in your family seems to love her like she loves them.”

“Maybe not Janice, I’m not sure about Janetta. Lita’ll win them over.”

Lee tried to smile, but he couldn’t quite manage it.

“Are you still concerned about Lita marrying me? I’ve done everything you asked.”

“Have you?”

“What do you mean?” As if Lita’s rules weren’t enough, he had to jump all Lee’s hurdles too. “I got Lita to sign the prenup you had Janice draw up and it wasn’t easy. I’ve taken the tests, signed all the papers.”

“I know.” Lee wouldn’t look at him. “I spoke to Janetta this morning.”

“She didn’t mention it. I was over there for brunch,” Lorenzo said.

Lee’s eyes darted, like they did when he lied.

“It must’ve been after you left. Never mind. Did she say anything about me?”

“No. Why don’t you ask her out?”

“I don’t think she wants to get into a relationship and we can’t just…I mean, I care about your family and I don’t want to get everyone angry by sneaking around.”

“Who said anything about sneaking? What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I could tell she wasn’t interested and I was an idiot to let her see I how I felt. Now we’re going to be working together…I guess I know why you avoided Lita all that time.”

“That bad, huh? Janetta likes you. Maybe if you play it cool…”

“I will, I’ll be professional, no worries. Someday I’ll laugh about it, no doubt. Just another of the universe’s jokes to put me in my place.”

“I wish I could tell you it will go away, but my feelings for Lita didn’t. You know I tried for two years…”

“Okay, okay, are you trying to push me over the edge? Janetta’s already doing that, the way she flirted with Vincente at the wedding.”

“He’s not her type. And she’s not his, for sure.” Lita was Vincente’s type. Lorenzo frowned.

“You don’t know that,” Lee said. “I saw the way he looked at her.”

“I think you’re wrong. You probably feel like every guy wants Janetta. That’s how it goes.”

“I’m not the jealous type, like you.”

“Maybe not, but love changes everything.”

“I never said anything about love.”

“You tell yourself you’re not in love, if it makes you feel better. Want to join me for dinner at Sophia’s?”

“No, thanks. Keep your sadism in check, huh?”

“Hey, I don’t play that way. I’ll have you know Lita said I’m her angel.” Lorenzo strode out into the hall.

“You two are sickening. Her fallen angel, more like.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Great minds think alike,” Lee said as they went downstairs, laughing.

As he watched Lee drive away, Lorenzo took a deep breath. Everything was still together.

***

Dinner was a small gathering. Lorenzo watched Lita laughing and talking with Sophia and Joanna, though he noticed Pete took a lot of the latter’s attention too. It seemed Janetta was in a similar mood to him, since she too pushed her food around her plate and smiled her fake smile when Gianni teased her, or Pete told her one of his goofy jokes.

When Lita walked in carrying a dessert tray, wearing the red dress he’d given her for Christmas, he studied her, remembering Christmas night. She’d finally given him something he wanted. He made the mistake of closing his eyes and flashing on the fantastic sight of her nearly naked body, her full, round breasts, perfect mocha nipples which he…He opened his eyes. Carlo looked at him and Lorenzo was relieved they sat around the table with wide linen napkins on their laps.

Soon it didn’t matter, as he thought about how he’d still been unsatisfied. With Lita something wasn’t enough, he wanted everything. She offered herself too, in the excitement of the moment, but at first he had willpower enough to do what she’d made him promise and refuse. He still couldn’t believe he’d slept half the night with her bare softness pressed against him and not persuaded her.

They’d argued the next morning and he’d left, only to make a scene later at Carlo and Sophia’s when he hadn’t found Lita at home. No wonder Carlo started eyeing him suspiciously after that, though he now had even more reason. Lorenzo tasted a forkful of Lita’s mocha buttercream frosted cake. It was delicious, moist and flavorful, but it wasn’t the dessert he wanted.

“Lorenzo, Gianni, you’re on dish duty with me,” Carlo said.

Lorenzo and Gianni followed him into the kitchen while Pete and Janetta cleared the table and the others went into the living room. Lita’s twinkly laughter chased him. How could she feel so happy?

“Lita said she’ll be busy baking next weekend,” Gianni said as he washed and Lorenzo dried. He handed Carlo a clean plate. “Want to go out?”

Carlo shot Lorenzo a look, his infamous stare. “No, thanks,” Lorenzo said, though he probably would’ve accepted if Carlo wasn’t in the room.

Gianni shrugged. “Maybe you can go on a double date with Pete and Joanna. I think he’s going to ask her out. Gone over the edge since Kerry broke up with him.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Carlo asked in a tight voice.

“I mean he could do better. Joanna’s got too much junk in her trunk,” Gianni said before he smiled a crooked grin.

Carlo smacked the back of Gianni’s head. “Joanna is a pretty, smart, caring young woman. Sometimes I wonder how you’re such a pig when Pete--”

Lorenzo laughed.

Gianni turned and shoved Lorenzo. “Stop laughing, I know you agree with me.”

“Like hell I do.”

“Easy to say now you’ve got Miss Tasty Treat and no sharing the sugar like before--”

Lorenzo’s body went heavy and hot. Carlo pinned his arms and snapped at his nephew. “Get out, Gianni. Say goodbye to everyone and leave.”

“I can’t. Rode over with Pete.”

“If you ever touch Lita, I’ll kill you,” Lorenzo said. He shoved against Carlo, but the man hadn’t been a champion high school wrestler for no reason. That may have been over thirty years ago, but he was probably stronger now.

“Take a walk,” Carlo said, still holding him. Lorenzo exhaled when Gianni went out the side door. “He’s trying to bait you, Lorenzo. Why don’t you take a walk too?”

“No, I just need a minute.”

“You need more than that.”

“I need Janetta to take the job so I can go on my honeymoon.”

“A honeymoon ends, then what? Get it together and don’t go out with Gianni. He wants you to screw up. I’ve been watching the way he looks at Lita.”

“She doesn’t notice.”

“You’re not hearing me.”

“I heard.”

Carlo patted his back and walked out. Lorenzo gripped the counter and cracked his neck. He folded the dishtowel and rinsed out the bitter remnants of the coffee pot. Lita walked in.

“Are you okay? Where’s Gianni?”

“Went for a walk.”

“Janetta says she’ll be carpooling with you this week?”

“Yeah.”

“Will you be here for dinners?” Lita asked with a hint of a whine.

His shoulders hunched. She never used to talk like that.

“Don’t count on me.”

“I’m starting to realize that,” she said before she stormed out.

If only he could get her alone, completely alone, he could show her how good they were together. Maybe he shouldn’t have encouraged her to stay here. They could’ve been alone at Uncle Enzo’s. But he knew Lita didn’t want to stay there by herself just as he knew he was wrong for wanting to persuade her out of her convictions. Still, it felt as wrong that they weren’t ever alone, except in the car when they went out, and they’d stopped doing anything but kissing. Carlo watched him even more closely than Uncle Enzo did and Lita wouldn’t come back to his apartment with him anymore.

Lorenzo exhaled. Two more months, he only needed to make it two more months. He realized now he should have been happy with what Lita gave him before because it was a lot more satisfying than a few kisses. He didn’t know if he could last two more months without a woman’s touch.

Two nights later, two more frustrating nights, he sat at the bar in Nick’s with Nick and Vincente. Silvo and Mark cleaned up, no one else was around.

“You’re a lucky man,” Vincente said to Lorenzo. “Dating…I could do without it.”

“Agreed,” Nick said. “Still, one can’t do without…”

Vincente chuckled, Lorenzo frowned. “You’d be surprised.”

“Having a wife is different, you’ll find out,” Vincente said. “I mean you’re fortunate to have found a woman like Lita, I’m sure you know. I’m about ready to give up.”

Lorenzo glanced at him. Maybe he wants to give up because…he shook his head.

“Don’t. You’ll find love again,” Nick said as he rose, went behind the bar, and took their glasses.

“You didn’t,” Lorenzo said. He breathed in the almost stale odors of the dinners which had been cooked and served over the last several hours, now overpowered by the bleachy freshness of the nightly cleaning.

“I like what Celeste says: ‘Miracles happen every day.’ Though sometimes they need help, I know some nice young women…”

“No thanks,” Vincente said with a shake of his head. “My grandpop and brother have tried and I’d rather have faith. Thanks for that. It’ll be a good line to use on Grandpop next time he’s complaining about his lack of great-grandchildren. I can wait.”

“Waiting sucks,” Lorenzo said. His word choice only reminded him some sucking would be great. He leaned his arms on the bar and exhaled.

“Only after many months of anticipation do we taste the sweetest, juiciest peach,” Nick said. “And savor it all the more.”

Lorenzo ran his hands through his hair. Or you can buy a peach at the market anytime, he thought. He didn’t say it because he knew not only Nick’s zeal for seasonal produce, but also that he was right. There was no peach like one plucked from the tree, held, still downy and warm from the sun, and eaten on the spot.

“Maybe you’re right to have faith,” Lorenzo said as he and Vincente stood. “If Lita can love me, anything’s possible.” You are so full of it, he thought. He didn’t believe.

“See you Thursday,” Vincente said before he shook hands with Nick, who now stood next to Lorenzo. Lorenzo raised his hand and walked toward the stairs.

“Lorenzo, I hope you believe that,” Nick said.

Lorenzo shrugged and went upstairs.