Her mother, on the other hand, I like to visit. I probably make it every other week. I bring her flowers and talk to her about what’s going on with me. Nonna has always been the person I share my joys and frustrations with. When I was a kid she’d sit with me in the kitchen after school or practice, and we’d talk. She always has advice for me, and these days, she loves to talk about her kids and grandkids.
It isn’t much later when my father calls. I’d love to ignore it, but he’ll only keep calling.
“Hello, Father.”
“Junior,” he bellows into the phone. I hate that he calls me Junior. I’m not his junior. I’m named for his father, and I’m a third. “I saw you in the paper with the housekeeper’s daughter. Are you playing with the help again?” There’s a slight slur to his voice, which means he started early.
I roll my eyes. “Marcella may be Nona’s daughter, but she’s far from being the help.”
“She’s not good for your political future. We talked about this. You need to marry a woman with a good pedigree. She needs to come from the right family, with the right last name and the right schools. Elite schools.”
“Yes, that’s what you tell me. But I don’t want to marry at all. Right now, I’m spending time with Marcella.”
“Son, I’ve heard through the grapevine that Henry Darlington is talking about appointing either you or Jared Cole to replace him when he heads to DC next month. It provides a lot of credence if you’re the governor of the most populated state when you run for president. If you can fix some of the problems the past few administrations have created, you could write your ticket right to Washington, DC.”
“I understand that. But whether or not I’m governor, I can get to DC a lot of ways.”
“Son, don’t you want this?” my father asks.
“Of course I do. I’m heading out of town to go skiing for the week. I’ll figure out how I want to move forward while I’m there.”
“I just hope it’s with one of those pretty little ladies you have lined up and not the housekeeper’s daughter.”
So, my father is in on what’s happening. I don’t trust him. He only has his self-interests at heart. He’s determined to live his dream through me. “Look, Dad, I need to run. I’ve got people waiting to meet with me.”
“You know the sign of a powerful man is when people wait for him.”
“I know, Dad. I’ll see you at the club tomorrow night.”
“See you then, and go out with one of those girls. Feel her out, if you know what I mean.” He snickers and hangs up.
I’ve always struggled to find his redeeming qualities. The only one I can come up with is that rather than live on my mother’s money, he worked in the public sector. He was always about giving back.
I make it through my remaining morning meetings, and as lunchtime approaches, I think about Marcella again.
Me: Hi. You free for lunch today?
Marcella: Depends. I don’t want to be close to your offices. One of the WBC partners is running a deposition for one of my old clients, and they’re not very happy.
Me: We could head over to that place we used to go when we were kids for burgers.
Marcella: The Diner?
Me: Why not? I promise you won’t run into anyone you know there.
Marcella: What time?
Me: How about now? I can leave the office.
Marcella: The first one there gets the table.
When I arrive, there’s Ginny, the waitress from when we were teenagers. I love still living here in the city where I grew up.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the troublemaker who’s done well for himself,” she says.
I look over my shoulder, but I’m the only one standing here. “You remember me?”
“Sure I do. You were always with—and here she comes.”
Marcella walks in, backlit by the sunshine so it looks like she has a halo. She’s an angel, all right.
“You two lovebirds want the back table?”
Marcella turns red.
“That would be fantastic,” I tell her.
Ginny points us toward the back, and we follow her. “You always looked good together. How long have you two been married?”
Marcella shakes her head. “We’re not. In fact, we pretty much hate each other.”
“I don’t hate you—I never have,” I tell her.
Ginny cocks her head. “You two were always so sweet. I thought for sure… Well, I hope you figure it out.”
“How do you remember us?” I ask.
“I knew you were Supervisor Clifton’s kid. He went out with my sister a few times. Now you’re some big-time lawyer in town.” She turns to Marcella. “And I’ve seen you in the paper. You’re a lawyer now too, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am, actually.”
“Did you hear about that law firm that fired that female partner and everyone walked out?” Ginny asks. “I hope she sues them and shows those men she deserved what she earned.”
We sit at the table and she hands us menus, which don’t seem to have changed since we were kids. “I’ll let you get to your meeting. Flag me down when you’re ready.” Ginny walks away, talking to a few other patrons and pouring coffee.
Marcella leans across the table. “I can’t believe she remembered us.”
“How did she know who my dad was in those days?” I shake my head. I blanch at the thought that her sister could be the mother of one of my half-siblings.
“What are you thinking?” Marcella asks, studying the menu.
“Cheeseburger and fries.”
“I always loved the chicken fingers they make here.”
I wave Ginny back over, and we order.
“I see you’ve both broadened your palates,” she says.
I chuckle, and Marcella shrugs.
Once she walks away, I focus on Marcella. She’s in jeans and a frilly cotton blouse with buttons up the front and a long, gray sweater. “You look beautiful today.”
“You’re not getting in my pants.”
I hold my hands up. “I was only telling you what I see.”
“You sweet talk all the women with those emerald green eyes and kissable lips.”
“You think my lips are kissable?”
“Sure, but I already know your tongue is forked.”
I grab my heart and scowl as if she’s harpooned me. She smiles, and it lights up the room.
“Eve had a very good time with the devil,” I point out.
“Says who?”
“Come on. Look around you. The world is full of pleasure.”
“Real pleasure or fake pleasure?” she asks, raising an eyebrow. “You’re full of one-liners, all with the goal of getting into my panties.”
“We were young the last time I got in your panties. I’ve learned a few things since then that I’m happy to show you.”
Her eyes fill with desire, and my cock immediately hardens. She feels the same pull I do.
“I have no doubt,” she says. “And I’ve learned not to be seduced by fast-talking men.”