With a Little T.L.C. (10 page)

“How's that?”

“It's not so much that I'm a slob, but that I can hide it so well that no one would know.”

She laughed as she riffled through the bag and found the salad, then put it on the table. Looking at a drawer close by, she opened it and found a serving spoon and fork. “That's called compensating for your shortcomings.”

“Isn't that what functioning as an adult is all about?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Because I found an affordable cleaning service that will put up with me.”

“So you have a maid.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

She thought for a moment. “No. I could make something of the fact that you don't clean up after yourself. But the fact that you care enough to sched
ule cleanings for your environment mitigates that defect.”

He poured each of them a glass of red wine and put it on the table. Then he brought over two plates filled with pasta. “Dinner is served.”

Liz sat down while he opened the refrigerator and pulled out a container. “What are you doing?”

He glanced at her. “Gotta have fresh grated Parmesan.”

As he sprinkled some on her food, she inhaled the delicious smells. “Your culinary accomplishments are definitely
not
a blemish on your record.”

“That's a relief,” he said.

Finally he sat down at a right angle to her, lifted his glass and said, “I propose a toast.”

She raised her own glass. “To what?”

Without a moment's thought or hesitation, he said, “My new nephew. Peace and long life to Joseph Steven Schafer and family.”

“Cheers,” she said, clinking his glass before taking a sip.

Interesting that his first thought, his gut instinct was to toast family. He talked a good game about giving up on finding what his folks shared. But no matter what he said, Liz sensed that he wanted that, and what his sister had, and the love his brother Nick had found. What she couldn't figure out was why he was wasting his time with her. Life had taught her that the greatest hurt of all happened because of love. No way did she want to fall. No way would she hand over her heart on a silver platter to any guy. Not even one like Joe Marchetti who approached perfection.

“What are you waiting for?” he said watching her carefully. “Dig in.”

“It certainly looks wonderful.”

They ate in silence for a few moments. Liz looked at him. “Seriously, Joe, we've been joking about your flaws. But everyone has them. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?”

“I'm too stubborn.”

“You see that as a bad quality?”

“It can be. Along with a temper obstinance can impair your ability to know when to stay and fight and when to throw in the towel.”

“You don't think of it as stick-to-it-ivness?”

“No. I think of it as a character infirmity.” He took a bite of salad and chewed thoughtfully for a moment. “What about you? What are your weakest and strongest character traits?”

“Skepticism,” she said without hesitation. Then added, “Skepticism.”

“Do you want to explain that?”

“I take pride in being cynical. No one is going to get the best of me. Not if I have anything to say about it. At the same time, I miss the innocence of lack of suspicion. But I'm also eminently practical. Life's events shape us into what we are.”

“I wish there was a way to undo what your father did. Unfortunately, he left you with an unrealistic outlook of the world in general, and guys in particular.”

“What do you mean?”

“Not all men are calculating, unfaithful slime who wouldn't know the meaning of a promise if it bit them in the butt.”

Liz's gaze was drawn to him, his sharp tone. He looked angry. “I'm not sure what you're so riled about. I look at it like that song a few years back, ‘A
Boy Named Sue'—sometimes you have to be hurt to build up calluses that will get you through life.”

“I disagree. Children should be protected from the ugly side of life. Then you introduce them slowly on a need-to-know basis.”

“Well I needed to know,” she said, wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

“What does that mean?”

“It wasn't only my father. I was engaged once upon a time. I thought I had it all figured out. He was an ordinary-looking guy, in pharmaceutical sales. I met him at the hospital. I thought we wanted the same things and the fact that he was Mr. Every-Guy-in-America would work in my favor on the faithfulness scale. It didn't.”

“What happened?” Joe put down his fork and looked at her. There was an intense, angry expression on his face.

Liz felt her heart rate pick up when she realized his anger was for her. Wow. She couldn't ever remember a time when a man championed her, stood in her corner, defended her. This could in no way be construed as a flaw. It could however be a landmine in the field of friendship.

“I found out he was seeing someone else,” she said.

“I'm sorry, Liz.”

She shook her head. “That was a couple years ago. But that substantiates my point. I had the calluses to help me through that.”

“The problem with calluses is that they don't let some of the softer stuff through.”

“You're saying it was my fault he turned to someone else? That I was too tough?”

He shrugged. “I'm saying he was scum. And you're better off without him.”

“Very diplomatic, Mr. Human Resources Director.”

“Thank you.”

“So now you know my darkest secret. Tell me more about you.”

He put his fork down and gave her a serious, intense look. “I pout when I don't get my own way, I don't like vegetables. And I like to eat my dessert first.”

“Wow, a real tough guy,” she said, shaking her head.

“Incorrigible, my mother used to say.”

Liz enjoyed joking with him. She enjoyed it too much. She'd hoped to find something that would halt, or at least slow her descent into liking him a lot. Not only wasn't a cease-fire happening, she was beginning to heat up more. And not just that. She suddenly wanted to take his handsome face in her hands and kiss him until she could hardly breathe. She wanted to feel his warm soft lips. She wanted him to fold her in his arms where she could snuggle safe and secure.

This was a gigantic mistake.

Abruptly, she stood up and brought her plate to the sink. She opened the dishwasher. The next minute Joe was there.

“Liz?” He took her plate, then turned her to face him. The concerned expression in his dark eyes made her want to cry.

“What is it?” he asked. “What's wrong?”

H
ow could she tell him that kissing was her problem?

Specifically kissing him. She was having a devil of a time resisting the urge to wrap her arms around his waist and neck with him until… Don't go there. Turning back would be impossible if that visual took hold. And all because she'd entered the playboy's lair and found out he was endearingly human.

He would get a gigantic charge out of the fact that she hadn't discovered a big, bad flaw to grab hold of, and thus had to conclude that he was really and truly sincere. And now it was entirely possible that the truth of her deep-down feelings would be found out and bared in a toe-curling, heart-stopping, suck the breath from your lungs kiss. And if the above happened, she might just have to take a chance. On a guy. On a guy named Joe.

No. Not a chance. She'd sworn that no guy would ever hurt her again.

“I'm tired is all,” she hedged, meeting his concerned, brown-eyed gaze. That was true. It was the coward's way out to take evasive action, but she was suddenly and completely exhausted. “And then there's my crushing guilt for always thinking the worst of you.”

“Crushing guilt?” One of his dark eyebrows raised questioningly as the corners of his wonderful mouth twitched in his effort not to smile.

She nodded enthusiastically. “It's a heavy burden for a girl to carry around. Takes a toll. And I feel I must apologize once and for all. I need to go on record that you're one of the most decent guys I've ever met.”

He touched her forehead as if checking for fever. “Who are you and what have you done with Liz Anderson, skeptic, doubter, and perky, all-around unbeliever?” He backed up a step, feigning shock. “I don't know what to say.”

“There's a first. I thought you were never at a loss for words. Mr. Glib,” she said with a grin.

“Not this time.”

“It's true. You are a genuinely swell guy who likes children, goes above and beyond the call of duty for a sister in labor whose husband is out of town, and you're nice to your mom. What's not to like?”

“I'm no plaster saint,” he said quickly.

“Heaven forbid.” She leaned back against the counter and folded her arms over her chest. “But you're not the black-hearted rogue I kept trying to paint you as either. That's all I wanted to say.” She stopped. “No, one more thing while I'm humbling myself. I'm glad to count you among my friends,” she added.

He frowned. “Friends?”

She nodded. “Believe me it's an honor. I don't think I've ever had a guy friend before. Too complicated. But you're different, in a good way.”

“Thanks,” he said. Under his breath she thought she heard him say “I think.”

“And now, my friend, I think it's time for me to go home.” Before she forgot herself and the boundaries of friendship. Before she stepped close to him and lifted her mouth for that kiss she yearned for—and dreaded. Before she couldn't say no to the voice inside her, urging her to see if his mouth was as soft, warm, exciting and stimulating as she remembered.

She had made a lot of mistakes with Joe. But she realized that she truly did want to have him as a friend. And she'd been dead serious when she'd told him that having guy friends got too complicated. One of those complications was wanting to kiss your amigo. She had to get out of here before she made the mother of all mistakes with him.

“Would you take me back to my car?”

“Sure. What are
friends
for?” he said.

He didn't sound happy and she wasn't sure why.

 

Weeks later, Joe was still smarting from her embracing the friends thing with such cheerful tenacity. He knew she was still ducking for cover with that label, but wasn't sure how to coax her from behind her fortress. What could be better than an idyllic garden wedding to bring out the romance in a girl?

It was his brother Nick's wedding day. Family and friends had gathered in his parents' backyard. Now Nick fidgeted beside the rose-covered arbor as Joe stood up with him. Next came Steve Schafer. Joe felt
outnumbered standing between the pro-marriage branch of the family. After him were the confirmed bachelors Luke and Alex, all decked out in traditional black tuxedos.

Joe looked at his older brother. “There's still time to back out.”

Nick shook his head. “No way. I've been waiting too long to see Abby in her white dress. Nothing short of an act of God is going to stop me from making her Mrs. Nick Marchetti.”

Before Joe could stop it, envy twisted in his gut. He searched out Liz in the crowd. She'd ended the evening abruptly the last time he'd seen her at his place and he'd half expected her to back out of coming today. He was grateful that she hadn't. It surprised him how much he'd been looking forward to seeing her, spending time with her.

Before he could give it any more thought, the chamber music quartet began to play the traditional wedding march. Abby's attendants, including her sister Sarah and Marchetti family attorney Madison Wainwright, filed past the onlookers and took their places on the other side of the arbor. Joe happened to glance at his brother Luke who was staring at Ms. Wainwright with an expression that should be marked “adults only.” Interesting, he thought.

Then he looked past the spectators. On the arm of his father, Nick's blond, blue-eyed bride walked down the aisle formed by the rows of guests. Joe spotted Liz, smiling softly at Abby. In a long, full white gown and extended train she was a stunning bride.

Joe thought Liz looked pretty spectacular herself and was in no way shown up by any female present. He'd never seen her dressed up before and had to
admit the calf-length, celery-green sheath with short matching jacket that she wore brought out her big, beautiful hazel eyes. Her pixie hair was a mass of curls and pulled back on one side with a rhinestone clip in a sophisticated, sexy style. Sexy because it made him think about pressing his lips to the side of her face bared to his gaze. What would she say if he did that? he wondered.

But he couldn't. Because he would be a fool to get serious about any woman, he reminded himself. Today the flowers and vows, tomorrow court orders, disclosure, and property settlements.

The minister smiled at Tom Marchetti and the woman who would become his daughter-in-law in a few moments. “Who gives this woman to marry this man?” he asked.

“In the memory of her parents, my wife and I do,” Tom answered in a loud, clear voice. He turned to the bride, then lifted her veil enough to kiss her cheek. “You've been like a daughter to Flo and I for a long time, Abby. We're proud that our oldest son was smart enough to make you an official Marchetti. It makes us very happy that in a couple minutes, it will be legal and binding.”

Joe cringed inwardly. The terms legal and binding made him break out in a cold sweat. Until he glanced at Liz. Then he broke out in something closely resembling lust.

Tom Marchetti took the bride's hand, and placed it in his eldest son's palm. Nick stared at Abby as if he couldn't look at her hard enough. They had been through a lot to be together and Joe sincerely hoped that they would defy statistics and make it as a couple.

When the bride and groom had taken their places in front of the minister, the man opened the book in his hands. He read an inspirational passage about the sanctity of love, vows and fidelity. That should make Liz happy, Joe thought, wishing he could turn around and flash her a grin. Eventually, the preacher got around to the till-death-do-us-part portion of the program.

“Do you Nicholas Thomas Marchetti take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” Nick said.

“And do you Abigail Leigh Ridgeway take this man for your husband?”

“Yes, you bet I do,” Abby said, smiling sweetly up at her groom.

“Then by the power vested in me by the state of California, I pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. You may kiss your bride,” the minister added.

Nick lifted Abby's veil and pushed it back, revealing her lovely face. “Hello, Mrs. Marchetti,” he whispered.

“Mr. Marchetti,” she answered.

Then Nick pressed his lips to his bride's and bent her back over his arm for a lengthy liplock that didn't end until laughter, catcalls and whistles got the couple's attention.

Laughing breathlessly, the bride and groom turned to face their guests. The minister introduced them. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Nick Marchetti.”

Applause filled the air as the newly married couple walked down the aisle. Joe held his arm out for the maid of honor, Abby's teenage sister, Sarah. They
followed his brother and new sister-in-law, exiting between the rows of guests.

Before he could make his way to Liz, the photographer herded the wedding party into the house for an official picture-taking session. One by one, each member of the family took a turn posing with the wedding couple. Somehow Joe wound up last. When it was finally over, he went back outside, anxious to find Liz. Music was playing and guests were dancing on the floor that had been set up in the far corner of the yard by the arbor.

The sun had gone down and the lights surrounding the yard were all lit. It was a romantic, fairy tale atmosphere. Unfortunately, it made finding the woman he'd brought a challenge. Because she was five foot nothing and surrounded by people a lot taller. He finally spotted her with Alex and Luke.

It registered quickly that she was laughing and talking with them. Completely relaxed. He'd barely had a chance to say two words to her. And there she was yukking it up with his siblings—his single male siblings. Alex and Luke were only entertaining her as he'd asked them earlier. Why did it bother him seeing her with them?

Suddenly it sank in. He wasn't annoyed with his brothers. He was ticked that Liz was so relaxed with them even though she'd spent very little time in their company. He'd practically had to do cartwheels and a stand-up comedy act to get her to admit that she'd been wrong about him. And there she was having a great time with his brothers. Was her presence at the wedding because of his family? Were the meddling Marchettis the lure instead of himself?

“Hell of a thing,” he muttered. Jealous of his own family.

Flo Marchetti appeared beside him. “He who hesitates, gets left in the dust.”

Joe glanced to his right and found his mother watching him quizzically. “What does that mean?” he asked.

“It means that I
wish
you had to watch out for your brother Alex.”

“Not Luke?” he said. “I thought women came on to him for his bad boy looks and boyish charm.”

Flo shook her head. “Unless I'm wrong, and that so rarely happens in matters of the heart, Luke is well on his way to falling like a ton of bricks. And not for Liz,” she clarified.

“I hope you're wrong,” Joe said, observing his youngest brother who laughed at something Liz said. “And it doesn't matter who,” Joe lied, his gut still twisting at the sight of Liz next to his brother. “I hate to see him fall for anyone.”

“So you're still a confirmed bachelor?” Flo commented with a sigh, shaking her head in disgust. “I thought when you brought Liz to Stephanie's party, and now the wedding, that maybe you'd changed your mind.”

“No way,” he said too vehemently. His mother would never know that he'd begun to think “what if” with Liz. If Flo Marchetti got hold of that info, there would be no peace, no place he could hide. “Down, Ma. Someone had to take up the banner now that Nick bit the dust. I'm second in line. It's my job to avoid marriage like the plague and set the standard for my younger, impressionable siblings.”

“I see,” she said, in a tone that told him she didn't
see at all and refused to believe a word he uttered. “And that's why you're about to walk over there and do battle with your brothers for your date.”

He stared at her. “Now I know where Rosie got her overly developed flair for the dramatic.” His mother opened her mouth to protest, and he cut her off. “Who's the girl Luke is well on his way to falling for?” He'd long ago learned to take the maternal heat off by deflecting it to one of his brothers.

His mother gave him a horrified look. “Just never you mind about Luke. I would
almost
like to see Alex give you a run for your money with Liz. I'm worried about him. There's no one special, poor boy. I don't think he's ever gotten over Beth.”

“I know,” he said, feeling for his brother.

“But there's nothing we can do for him tonight,” Flo said. “Why don't you go ask Liz to dance?”

“Good idea, Ma,” he answered.

“That's the spirit, dear.” His mother patted his cheek.

Joe walked over to the trio. “Hi,” he said, slanting his siblings a glance. “Thanks for keeping Liz company. But I'm here to claim a dance with the woman I brought.” He stared right at Liz, daring her to decline. She didn't say a word, but he thought she tensed.

“She's all yours, bro,” Alex said. “I'm going to see how Abby's sister is doing. Mom wanted me to keep an eye on Sarah.”

Luke ran a hand through his hair. “I asked Madison to dance. She turned me down flat. Still says the last thing she needs is to get involved with another Marchetti man.” He grinned. “But I think I'll try to change her mind. No guts, no glory.”

His two brothers disappeared into the crowd and suddenly Joe and Liz stood alone. “Would you like to dance?” he asked.

“Okay,” she said, somewhat distracted as she looked in the direction his brothers had gone. “Why would Madison say that, about another Marchetti man?”

“She used to date Nick before he and Abby got together.” He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

Liz craned her neck looking around at the couples. “Interesting that Abby asked her to be a bridesmaid.”