He knew everyone in this neighborhood by name. He knew when someone was going through a tough time, and he knew before anyone else when a wedding was going to take place. Everyone sought him out for advice. He never turned anyone away. He treated the well known like they were from the neighborhood and the neighborhood people like they were stars. We all miss him terribly.”
His softly spoken words made her eyes burn. “Being that well-loved is a wonderful reward for a life well lived,” she said. “I’m sure he’ll live a long time in the hearts of those who knew him.”
“He’d have probably liked you.” She stilled when Nick’s hand landed on her shoulder. Just as quickly, he dropped it. “He was a good one for bucking traditions. He liked to make people reexamine their preconceptions.”
Feeling oddly exposed, she slid from between him and the wall and faced him. “It must be hard,” she said, “feeling like you have to fill his shoes.” She realized then that they had something in common. The burden of following in their family’s footsteps.
“It’s a challenge, but one I won’t ever walk away from. My parents died when we were kids. Sal and Bennie raised all of us, but as the oldest, I knew I would run D’Angelo’s. Sal saw to it that I was as ready as I could be before he left us.” He eyed her deliberately, and she figured Mama Bennie had told him her story.
Well, fine. She was too tired to argue. Let him think what he wanted about her. He didn’t look away, and neither, she discovered, could she. Despite her fatigue and the distraction of her other problems, she felt energy fairly radiating from him. It made her thinly stretched nerves fray a little bit more. There was no denying the man had sex appeal in spades. And then there was his voice. When he talked passionately, as he had moments ago, all sorts of inappropriate things she’d like to hear him say in that same intimate voice sprung to her mind. On top of everything else, sexual tension had no place in her life.
She broke eye contact and turned toward the desk, intent on finding the phone. She caught sight of herself in a small antique mirror tucked in among the pictures and almost laughed. She looked like a raccoon that had run a marathon. And come in last. Mascara ringed her eyes, her hair was damp and stringy, and her skin was pasty. Except for two pink spots on her cheek and a red nose. From the steam, most likely.
Oh, yeah, sexual tension was going to be a big problem. Not. And he thought she got by on her good looks. Ha!
“I guess I should make that call,” she said. It was definitely time to get out of here and go home. Wherever home was going to be tonight. She wasn’t going to Haddon Hall. A fancy suite at the Drake wasn’t right, either. She’d spent the day as a working girl. She should sleep like one, too. But that left her where?
“Here.”
She jumped at the sound of his voice just behind her. She turned to find him holding the phone. “Thank you.”
“I’ll leave you to your call.”
The heat dropped twenty degrees the instant he shut the door behind him. At least it felt that way. She rested limply against his desk, staring at the phone but thinking about her new boss. There was no denying that he intrigued her. Tough enough to run a successful restaurant, soft enough to let his grandmother walk all over him.
The phone began to beep at her, and she jerked her thoughts to the problem at hand. She pressed the reset button and dialed information. After calling for a cab, she ran down a mental list of possibilities. They were dismally few and generally revolved around her platinum card. The friends she’d made at school were not close. Even if she felt comfortable enough to confide in any of them, which she didn’t, there wasn’t one of them she’d call at this hour of the morning.
A door banged in the hallway. Seconds later a taller, skinnier and somewhat younger version of Nick D’Angelo filled the doorway. He wore ratty black jeans that molded indecently to his long legs, an almost equally ratty T-shirt and a leather jacket.
“Now this is a nice if unexpected surprise,” he said. “I was beginning to think old Niccolo was going monkish on me. So, who are you and why is my brother keeping you trapped in his office? I could rescue you, if you like.” He extended his hand. “Joey D’Angelo, knight in black leather.” His grin was infectious.
Suddenly Sunny didn’t feel quite so exhausted. What was it about D’Angelo men, anyway? She laughed. “I’m afraid my steed is already on its way. But thanks for the kind offer.” She shook his hand.
He held on to her and bowed deeply. “Anytime, fair maiden.” After pressing a warm kiss on the back of her hand, he released her and straightened. “And your name? My big brother doesn’t ever get around to introducing most of his dates to the family. He has some strange idea that we scare the ladies off. Go figure.”
“I’m not so certain he’s afraid you’ll scare them off so much as spirit them away.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “A live one. Nice change, brother.” He laughed. It was as engaging as his grin. It made Sunny wonder what Nick would be like if he loosened up a bit. But then, Joey didn’t have the demands on him that Nick did.
“I like you…what did you say your name was?”
“I didn’t. It’s Sunny.”
“Now there’s a woman with intuitive parents. My folks? Joseph.” He snorted. “Are you kiddin’ me?” He shook his head. His dark hair was so short it didn’t move. Another contrast with his brother. Interesting. She’d have figured Nick for the controlled short hair and Joey for the wilder, messier look. Hmm. But more intrigue she didn’t need. She was not about to get involved with the D’Angelo brothers.
“I think Joseph is a fine name,” she said. “Very strong.”
“Biblical. Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all.”
She laughed. “Somehow I don’t think you’ve let it slow you down all that much.”
He shot her a mock sly grin. “I see my reputation precedes me.” He moved closer. “So, exactly why are you in Nick’s office?”
“I’m a new employee here and I was just making arrangements for a ride.”
“Get out! Nick hired you?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Yes, he did. Why do you ask?”
“I like it when you get all ice princessy on me. Very nice. I bet that makes Nick nuts.”
“I don’t think much fazes your brother. And he hired me because you’re leaving early for school.”
He looked honestly chagrined by the reminder. “I know. But Mama Bennie and Nick understood. I just figured they’d find someone without having to advertise.” He studied her a second. “Unless one of my cousins got married without me knowing, or you’re Italian on your mother’s side about six times removed.”
She laughed again. “Nope. No Italian in my history.”
Joey’s grin returned. “Well, then, I guess my brother finally came to his senses.”
“Actually, it was Mama Bennie who—”
Nick came into the office. “Sunny, your cab is—Hey, Joey.” He caught his brother in an affectionate bear hug. “I thought you were
