proposition? Frowning, she stared down incredulously at the phone. Did I get the account manager position or not? she wondered, leaning against the granite countertop. “I’m sorry, Mr. Morretti, but I’m afraid I don’t understand. What is this pertaining to?”
“I’d rather not discuss it over the phone.”
Discuss what? I have no clue what you’re talking about!
“Let’s meet at Dolce Vita for drinks at eight o’clock.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes, is that a problem?”
“Mom, look, I washed my hands with soap!” Ava stood beside the pantry door, waving her hands frantically in the air, hopping up and down as if she was on a pogo stick. “Can I have some cookies now?”
To quiet her daughter, Jariah pressed a finger to her lips, and steered her over to the table. “Is it okay if I call you back in an hour? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”
“That’s no problem at all,” he said, his tone calm. “I’ll talk to you then.”
Jariah hung up and rested her phone on the kitchen counter. What was that all about? she wondered. What is Nicco Morretti up to? As Jariah fixed Ava a plate, she replayed her conversation with the cocky CEO in her head, trying to figure out if she’d missed something. But there was nothing to miss. Their conversation had been brief, and he’d been vague and mysterious throughout. The only way to find out what Nicco Morretti wanted was to meet him tonight at his restaurant, but first she had to find a babysitter.
Once Ava was eating dinner, Jariah slipped out of the kitchen and went into her bedroom. It was times like this that Jariah wished she could talk to her parents. She longed to hear her mother’s voice and her father’s booming laugh, but she knew they would never take her call. They had cut her out of their lives, and their bitter rejection still stung months later.
Ignoring the heaviness in her chest, Jariah flopped down on the bed, punched in her neighbor’s phone number and waited anxiously for the call to connect. Cousins, Sadie and Felicia Robinson were good old-fashioned country girls, and Jariah loved hanging out with them. And so did her daughter. The cousins fussed over her, snuck her junk food when they thought Jariah wasn’t looking, and gave Ava free reign of their town house.
“Hey, Sadie, how are you?” Jariah asked, greeting the thirty-five-year-old boutique owner with the fun-loving personality.
“I’m great. I was just about to make dinner. How is my sweet little honey pie doing?”
“Ava’s fine, giving me sass and attitude as usual.”
“Good for her!” Sadie cheered. “She needs to stand up for herself. You’re way too strict.”
“I have to be. Her dad is a total pushover,” Jariah explained, feeling compelled to defend herself. “Ava throws a fit and he caves like a house of cards!”
The women laughed.
“Is Felicia still at work?” Jariah asked.
“No, she has a date.”
“Another one? That’s the third one this week and it’s only Tuesday!”
“I know, tell me about it,” Sadie quipped, her voice losing its cheer. “And the guy who picked her up tonight was a total hottie. Was driving a sports car and everything.”
“You sound jealous.”
“Why would I be jealous? I have a date, too.”
“You do? With who?”
“The remote control!” Sadie giggled. “Dating in the City starts in fifteen minutes, and I can’t wait to see what happens between Nelson Hamilton and the chick from...”
Jariah checked the time on the digital alarm clock, saw that it was almost six o’clock, and knew she had to rush things along. “Sadie, I need a favor,” she began, clearing her throat. “Can you babysit Ava for me tonight? I know its short notice, but the CEO of Morretti Incorporated just called and asked me to meet him for drinks.”
“No problem, girl. I’ll be right over.”
“There’s no rush. I don’t need to leave for another hour.”
“I know,” she said, “but I can smell your cooking all the way over here, and I’m hungrier than a plus-sized model on a no-carb diet!”
* * *
Jariah glanced at her wristwatch, and then tossed a look over her shoulder for the third time since arriving at Dolce Vita. When she’d entered the ritzy restaurant lounge and informed the hostess that she was meeting Nicco Morretti, the freckled brunette had greeted her warmly and escorted her to a secluded table in front of the picture window.
To pass the time, Jariah logged on to the internet and resumed reading an article she’d found that afternoon about Morretti Inc. Thanks to the magazine, she knew tons of information about the company and it’s handsome CEO with the bold personality. Knowing the good, the bad and the ugly about Nicco Morretti made Jariah feel prepared and more confident about meeting him for drinks at his downtown restaurant.
A rich, heady aroma sweetened the air. A waitress sashayed through the lounge pushing a dessert cart, and Jariah hungrily licked her lips. A loud cheer went up from the table behind her, but she didn’t pay the group any mind.
Dolce Vita was large, boisterous and busy, but the candle-lit tables, Italian marble and sable-brown decor created an intimate vibe. The restaurant lounge was the perfect setting for a romantic date, or a surprise marriage proposal, and as Jariah sat there, bored out of her mind, she reflected on the pitiful state of her love life. Is Wesley right? Am I going to regret dumping him one day and beg him to take me back?
Banishing the thought to the furthest corner of her mind, Jariah picked up her cocktail glass and slowly sipped through her straw. She longed to have someone special in her life, a man who would love her unconditionally. As she glanced around the room and saw all the starry-eyed couples toasting with wine flutes held high, she felt a stab of envy. Am I ever going to meet Mr. Right? Or am I destined to spend my nights alone with no one to keep me company but my daughter and my girlfriends?
Her thoughts turned to her parents, but instead of pushing her memories aside, she dialed their home number. As usual, the answering machine clicked on, and when it did, she took a deep breath and mustered all the cheer she had inside her. “Hi, Mom, and Dad, it’s me, Jariah. I was just thinking about you, and wanted you to know that Ava and I miss you very much. We’d love to hear from you, so please give us a call. Bye.”
Jariah pressed the end button on her phone and dropped it back into her purse.
“Can I interest you in another pineapple martini?”
“No, just the bill, thank you.”
The waiter’s eyes were wide with alarm, but he nodded and scurried off. He was back seconds later with the hostess in tow, fidgeting nervously with his hands.
“I just got off the phone with Mr. Morretti, and he asked me to apologize on his behalf,” the hostess said, her tone contrite.
