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“Have you talked to him about it?”
“Not really. Not like I should.”
“Talk to him. You keep waiting for the right time and it might never come, so just do it. Tell him how you feel. It’ll make you feel better.”
With a quick nod, Nathaniel changed the subject. “So how was your flight?”
“Great if you ignore the fact we took off an hour past our departure time, the woman next to me kept burping up beer and someone’s kids screamed from the time we took off until we landed. Other than that it couldn’t have been more perfect,” she said.
“I told you to let me arrange a private flight for you. Noah’s wife would have gladly sent one of her planes.”
“Noah’s wife is very sweet but she doesn’t know me from Adam. The woman is running a business, not a personal charity service for the friends of her family.”
“Like I won’t be repaying her with free meals when she’s down here.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes skyward. “You’re comparing apples and oranges, Nate. Apples and oranges!”
Nathaniel smiled. Rebecca was the only person allowed to shorten his name. Even his twin brother called him by his full name. Rebecca called him Nate and he called her Bec. It was their thing. Others had tried and had been sorely disappointed when corrected. His family often referred to her by her nickname but never called her such to her face, understanding the significance it held for the two of them.
He was still holding on to her and she allowed herself to settle back against his broad chest. The nearness of him had butterflies fluttering in her midsection and her heart racing like a drumline in her chest. She struggled to contain the rise of emotion that had her knees quivering and her legs turning to rubber.
She bent her arms upward to clutch his, her manicured fingers gripping his forearms. He shifted his hips, widening his stance as his body cradled hers. They stood together, still holding on to each other as they stared out over the landscape. The sight of white-capped waves in the distance was intoxicating. The water rolled and rocked against the craggy landscape. The low roar of the waves and the hiss of spray were soothing, pulling them both into deep thought. Neither spoke, not needing words. They settled easily into the comfort they always found when they were with each other. It felt like home and both couldn’t have been happier.
From the corner of the building Elise cleared her throat. Nathaniel saw her before Rebecca did. He dropped his arms abruptly and took a step back. “Elise, hey! What brings you here?”
Startled, Rebecca turned. The woman eyeing them curiously didn’t look at all pleased. Her teeth were clenched tightly and her cheeks were a vibrant shade of red. She tossed the length of her auburn hair over her shoulders. Rebecca didn’t miss how uncomfortable Nathaniel suddenly looked.
Elise cleared her throat and forced a smile to her face. She carried a small potted plant in her hands. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I knew you had a meeting with your contractor and thought I’d stop by to drop off a little housewarming gift of sorts. To congratulate you on closing today.” She moved forward, passed the plant to Nathaniel and extended her hand toward Rebecca. “Elise Montgomery. And you are?”
Rebecca forced a smile back. “Rebecca. Rebecca Marks.”
Elise looked from her to him and back. “Are you and Nathaniel friends?”
Rebecca smiled. She didn’t bother to answer the question, instead turning toward the man who still looked like he’d been caught with his hands in someone’s cookie jar. “Why don’t I go check out the inside while you deal with your business,” she said, her voice dropping an octave. She held out her hand for the keys.
Nathaniel nodded. “Thanks,” he said as he watched her move down the side of the building and disappear around the corner. He turned back toward Elise.
“You didn’t tell me you were dating someone,” Elise sniped.
“Because I’m not dating anyone.”
“Well, you and that woman looked quite cozy with each other.”
“Elise, you and I are not in a relationship. I really don’t owe you any explanations about anything.”
Elise took a swift inhale of air and held it for a split second before she responded. “I apologize, Nathaniel. You know I care about you and I was hoping you and I might be able to move our friendship toward something more. But I don’t chase after men who don’t want me. If you’re not interested, all you had to do was say so.”
“I told you the truth, Elise. Right now I’m focused on this restaurant. That’s my priority. Everything else will have to take a back seat for a minute. Especially dating and starting a new relationship. I had hoped you would understand that.”
“I wasn’t trying to make things difficult. I just...well...” She giggled nervously. “I guess I was a little jealous,” she said.
He forced himself to smile. Before he could respond, a large man with a lumberjack haircut and full beard called his name, moving swiftly toward them. “Stallion! My man!”
“Carl, hey! It’s good to see you,” Nathaniel said, moving to shake the other man’s hand. “I appreciate you coming.”
“I’m excited. This place is spectacular!” Carl said as he looked around, taking in the view. He tilted his head toward Elise. “Hello there. I’m Carl.”
“Elise Montgomery, this is Carl Parker. Carl, Elise is my real estate agent,” Nathaniel said, making the formal introductions.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Carl. I’m surprised we’ve not met before. Is your business here in Carmel?”
Carl shook his head. “No. My firm is based in Los Angeles. Nathaniel and I are old friends. We met in college when we were pledging the same fraternity. We’ve been brothers ever since. I actually built his house in LA and when he told me about his plans for this place I jumped at the opportunity to do the renovations he wants.”
Nathaniel nodded. “I’ve got first-rate friends like that,” he said.
There was suddenly a knock on the glass windows. The trio turned to look as Rebecca stood inside waving excitedly.
“You didn’t tell me our girl was going to be here,” Carl exclaimed as he waved back.
Nathaniel grinned. “Who else could do my marketing and promotion?”
“It was nice to meet you, Elise,” Carl said. He pointed toward the building. “I’m going to go say hello to Rebecca. Just let me know when you’re ready to talk business,” he said.
Nathaniel nodded. “I’ll be right in.”
Elise was still staring at him eagerly, wearing an air of desperation like a beloved perfume. Nathaniel forced a smile onto his face. “Thank you for the plant,” he said as he gestured with the potted fern in his hand.
“You’re going to call me, right?”
He nodded. “I will. I promise.”
Nathaniel watched as Elise threw him one last look over her shoulder. He sighed, a gust of air billowing into the ocean breeze.
Despite his good intentions he instinctively knew Elise would never be in his life the way she hoped to be. Whether it was ever said or not, he would always compare holding a woman in his arms to what it felt like to hold Rebecca. Because just before they’d been interrupted, his holding tight to Rebecca had felt like he’d won the best prize at the state fair.
Chapter 2
When Nathaniel finally made it inside the space that would soon be his new restaurant, Rebecca and Carl were laughing heartily. It had been a good long minute since the two had last seen each other and they were enjoying their moment to catch up.
As he stood watching the two of them it felt like old times. College had brought them into each other’s lives. They’d all become fast friends and the bond had continued well after graduation despite the distance and time that had separated them over the years.
Watching Rebecca as she bantered back and forth with Carl made him smile. She’d always been quick with the one-liners. Her sense of humor had often kept them all laughing and she had one of the most infectious smiles. There was something about her that always made him feel that no matter the challenge things would be okay. She had a way of putting him at ease and he trusted her implicitly.
She laughed again, tossing her head back against her shoulders. She was truly stunning, he thought as light danced across her face and joy shimmered in her dark eyes. And she was wearing the hell out of a vibrant green, form-fitting, off-the-shoulder spandex dress that stopped midknee and flattered her chocolate-brown complexion. She wore four-inch heels that accentuated her thick calves and lengthened her long legs even more. She was the epitome of what he and the boys called thick. Her breasts were the size of small watermelons, multiple handfuls with spillage and then some. Her childbearing hips and rotund behind were wide and full, like beach balls smooshed tightly together. He thought about the fullness that had pressed comfortably against his groin, the lush cushion that had necessitated some restraint on his part. She’d been abundantly blessed and he had always admired how comfortable she was in her skin.
In college, skinnier women who were starving themselves for what they deemed perfect bodies had found her confidence intimidating. Jealousy had reared its head many times and she’d been the brunt of mean-spirited comments and jokes about her weight. Rebecca hadn’t been fazed by any of it. The former high school prom queen, cotillion debutante, choir soloist and Miss California runner-up had clapped back at her critics with a bright smile as she enjoyed every aspect of her existence, living her life to the fullest, unconcerned with what anyone else thought about her. Rebecca was his best friend and he felt immensely blessed that she still gave him the time of day.
Rebecca calling his name pulled him from the reflections he’d fallen into. He looked up to find her staring at him, her hands clutching her waistline, her hips pushed to one side. Her thick, jet-black hair hung to her midback, lush waves with the slightest hint of curl. He smiled as she tossed a few stray strands over her shoulder.
“I want it known, for the record, that Carl doesn’t like your new girlfriend.”
Carl laughed and choked at the same time. He held up an open hand. “I did not say that!”
Nathaniel shook his head. “Elise is not my girlfriend.”
“I couldn’t tell with the way she started interrogating me,” Rebecca said, her brow raised slightly.
Nathaniel’s grin was wide, a deep crevice in the center of his face highlighting his perfect white teeth and the dimples in his cheeks. “She asked you one question, Bec. You’re being a little dramatic.”
“Me? Dramatic?” Rebecca crossed her arms over her chest. “I am never dramatic!”
“I know that’s a lie,” Nathaniel quipped. He moved toward the bar and took a seat.
“Carl also said she looks like a poodle that’s been wound up too tight. That pinched face was not cute!”
The other man was still laughing heartily. He shook his head, his hands waving back and forth as he tried to catch his breath.
Nathaniel chuckled. “He did not. I know you, Bec.”
She moved to where he sat and pulled up the stool beside him. “So, really, what’s up with you and Susie Homemaker.”
“Nothing. Yet. She helped me find this place and we’ve talked about maybe hanging out together after I get the restaurant open. It’s nothing serious though.”
“You and your women never are,” Rebecca teased.
Nathaniel shrugged. “This could be different. You never now. It’s about time I thought about settling down. Right?”
Carl shook his head. “You really don’t want to do that. Trust me,” he said. “Marriage isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be.”
“Says the man who is on his fourth wife!” Rebecca said with a laugh.
“Angel is my third wife, thank you very much. Lisa or Terry might be my fourth wife. Not quite sure yet.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes skyward. “You are such a man!”
“And you are seriously making us all look bad,” Nathaniel interjected.
The trio laughed, falling back into their easy way of being with each other. Despite how long it had been since they were last together it was like old times all over again. After a few minutes catching up, Nathaniel and Carl moved to take a tour of the building so that Nathaniel could point out the changes and renovations he wanted done fast and quick.
Rebecca stared after him. Everything about Nathaniel Stallion made her heart skip beats. Nathaniel had always been a man who dazzled without even knowing that he had that kind of swag. In school, he’d been the studious type, focused on his grades and his future. His twin brother Nicholas had garnered the attention on and off the football field. Nathaniel had been the serious brother, not nearly as outgoing and a little slow for the lengthy list of females enamored with his dark eyes.
He had an athletic build, his body a strong, solid mass of rock-hard muscle. Regular workouts kept him in fit shape. He was tall, with legs like solid tree trunks and a café au lait complexion that was as much coffee as it was cream. She watched as he scaled a ladder. He wore denim jeans and the view from where she sat was quite delectable. She bit down against her bottom lip to stall the quiver of heat that suddenly pierced her feminine spirit.
Wanting Nathaniel from a distance was one thing. Wanting him when he was close enough to reach out and touch was something else. For a split second Rebecca found herself questioning whether or not coming to help had been a smart decision. And then she thought about the other woman who clearly had her sights set on something happening between her and Nathaniel. He had said yet. Which meant he was actually considering the prospect of something happening with him and his new buddy Elise. The thought made Rebecca cringe with irritation and envy.
She blew a soft sigh. Nathaniel was much more than just her best friend. She couldn’t imagine her life without him and she always feared that a serious relationship with another woman might be the end of the bond they shared. She loved him and she knew he cared about her just as deeply. But Nathaniel had never looked at her as anything more than a friend. And as she thought about it, Rebecca realized, she had never before given him any reason to see her any differently.
* * *
“So have you finally decided on the name yet?” Rebecca sat on Nathaniel’s family room sofa, watching as he moved about casually in his kitchen.
“The name?”
“For the restaurant. What do you plan to call it? I know there were two at the top of your list that you really liked. Which one did you decide on?”
Nathaniel lifted his gaze to stare at her. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail and her feet were bare. She had changed into a T-shirt and sweatpants and looked quite comfortable where she rested, her legs extended atop the ottoman. A playlist of soft jazz and blues billowed through the air, painting the walls with a bold hint of chill.
The afternoon had gone longer than either had anticipated. The list of things needed to meet his deadline with the restaurant had gotten more and more extensive as they and Carl had brainstormed together. Most of the work Carl needed to do was cosmetic: minor woodwork repairs and paint. Only one major wall needed to be blown out to open the dining room and both the men’s and women’s bathrooms would be gutted and completely replaced with new fixtures and tile. There was also the installation of the stage and dance floor that he’d insisted on. With the exception of a few appliances already scheduled to be replaced the kitchen was top-notch.
Staffing was being handled by an outside agency, and the list of potential employees ready to be interviewed had exploded hours after their advertisement had hit the local newspaper. Rebecca had already begun the marketing and promotional plan, starting with the setup of the website and social media pages.
“I need the business name, Nate.”
“Dinner.”
“Excuse me?”
“Dinner. I’m calling the restaurant Dinner.”
There was a moment of pause as Rebecca reflected on his comment. She muttered softly under her breath. “Thank you for calling Dinner. Welcome to Dinner. Let’s go to Dinner for dinner!” She jotted notes into the lined pad on her lap. Her voice rose an octave. “Why did you choose Dinner? Why not The Melting Pot or one of the others?”
“Dinner just felt right. When you think about the menu and the ambience the restaurant will have, it just works.” He stepped into the room, swiping his hands against a dishcloth. “Why? Don’t you like it?”
“Actually, I think it’s perfect. And I had a feeling, after our last conversation, that it was the one you were leaning toward which is why I had my team do some mockups of the logos and signage. I think you’re going to be pretty pleased.” She gestured with a file folder of documents that she’d pulled from the leather attaché at the foot of the chair.
Nathaniel moved to her side, dropping down onto the sofa beside her. He took the folder from her hands and began to flip through its contents. As he studied the documents inside, a wave of emotion suddenly consumed him. It was rife with exhilaration and a hint of anxiety. A single, solitary tear rolled past his lashes.
“Is everything okay?” Rebecca asked, her tone consoling. “Are they that bad?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Actually, they’re that good. I’m very impressed.”
“Is that’s why you’re all teary?”
“I’m not teary, Bec!”
“Could have fooled me,” she said, her warm smile encouraging his. She knew him and knew something was on his mind. Something needing to be said.
Nathaniel spun his body lengthwise and rested his head in her lap. He settled himself comfortably against her as he flipped through the folder a second time. “I really like this second set. It’s perfect.”
Rebecca nodded. “That’s my favorite, too. It’s bold yet the edges are just soft enough. It’s inviting. And it looks amazing on the menu!”
Nathaniel shifted his eyes upward to stare at her. He let the folder fall down against his abdomen. He heaved a deep breath and then a second as he seemed to be gathering his thoughts and searching for the right words. Rebecca let him ponder the moment and waited patiently for him to say what was bothering him.
“This is really happening, Bec,” he said finally, an air of awe in his tone. “It’s been five years since I first thought about doing this and now it’s really about to happen.”
“It is, and it’s going to be a major success. You’ve already had five years to work out the kinks.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “I can only hope it’ll be that easy.”
“Look, you have plotted every possible scenario of what could go wrong. You have laid the groundwork for contingency plans B, C and D, if A doesn’t work out. You’ve got this.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I know,” Bec said as she brushed her index finger across his brow.
Nathaniel suddenly lifted himself upright, spinning his feet back to the floor. “Do we need to bring in your luggage?”
“I dropped my stuff off at the hotel earlier.”
“The hotel?”
Rebecca nodded. “I’ve got a room at the La Playa while I’m here.”
“So, how did you change clothes?” he asked, confusion washing over his expression.
“You know I always keep something with me, just in case. I always carry a change of clothes in the gym bag that I keep with me.”
“Just in case what?”
“In case I meet someone and need to make a quick change,” she said sarcastically.
Nathaniel shook his head. “You didn’t need to get a hotel. You know you can stay here. I have two guest bedrooms.”
“I can’t stay here.”
“Yes, you can. You know you’re always welcome.”
“I do know that. But I can’t stay here.”
“Why not?”
“I can’t.”
“You’re being ridiculous, Bec.”
“Maybe I am, Nate, but I’m still staying at the hotel.”
The two sat staring at each other. Rebecca wished she could explain and have it make sense. She knew if she tried, it would only make the moment more awkward between them. She also knew that deep down Nathaniel probably didn’t want an explanation, both grateful they wouldn’t have to go through the rituals friends do when they intrude on each other’s private spaces. She changed the subject.
“So tell me about this woman.”
“Who? Elise?”
“Don’t play dumb. You know exactly who I’m talking about.”
He rolled his eyes. “There’s nothing to tell. Not really.”
“Did she help you find this place too?”
Nathaniel shook his head. “No. One of my fraternity brothers owns the agency she works for. He helped find me the house. She just happened to be the listing agent for the restaurant.”
“Do you like her?”
Nathaniel shifted his gaze back to hers to stare. Rebecca was eyeing him intently, eager for him to respond. He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t really know her.”
“Are you trying to know her?”
“Not at the moment. I’m focused on my business and that’s all.”
There was a moment of silence as she pondered his response. He broke the silence.
“Are you still dating that Michael guy?”
“His name is Maxwell.”
“Yeah. Whatever. You two still an item?”
“We were never an item. We went out a few times then it got weird.”
“Weird how?”
“Just when I was thinking about taking things to the next level he started acting strangely.”
“What do you mean?”
She snatched her eyes from his, her stare skipping around the room. “It was embarrassing, actually.”
Nathaniel shifted himself around to stare at her. “Okay, spill it. What did he do and why is this the first time I’m hearing about it?”
“I don’t tell you everything, Nate.”
“That’s your first mistake,” he said matter-of-factly. “Had you asked for help I might have been able to save your relationship.”
Rebecca laughed. “Who said I wanted to save it?”
He eyed her with a raised brow. “So what did what’s-his-name do?”
“When we talked about having sex, he asked me if I would be willing to wear a strap-on dildo and peg him.”
“I don’t even know what that means but it doesn’t even sound kosher.”
“You know what pegging is, Doctor Stallion.”
“Like hell I do! Educate me, please.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “He wanted me to wear a rubber dick to penetrate him anally. That’s pegging.”
Nathaniel blinked his eyes, his lashes batting rapidly. He suddenly burst out laughing. “Well! I can see your problem with that.”
A smirk crossed Rebecca’s face “Thank you.”
“But your first mistake was talking about having sex. If you need to make it a discussion, he’s not the guy for you. And it’s the first time, too? You’re too spontaneous for that. If he was the right guy it would have come to you naturally.”
“So, you don’t discuss sex with your partners before you have sex?”
“Of course, I do. It’s important to know what my woman likes so that I can please her.”
“But you don’t talk about it before you do it? You don’t discuss possible consequences, expectations, nothing?”
“I talk about where she wants me to put my tongue.”
“You are such a pervert!”
Nathaniel laughed as Rebecca changed the subject.
“It was really great catching up with Carl. I missed him.”
“You two live less than an hour from each other. It doesn’t make sense that your paths never cross.”
Rebecca shrugged. “Things have always been a little weird with us since he made that pass at me.”
“Was that before wife number two or after? I can’t remember.”
“After. He was engaged to wife number three when it happened.”
“In his defense he was plastered. I don’t think he’s drunk that much since.”
“That’s no defense.”
Nathaniel shrugged, his broad shoulders reaching for the ceiling. “You just need to do a better job keeping up with your friends. And that includes me.”