|
Maria and Gabi gathered their packages and headed to the car.
"I’m exhausted," Gabi sighed sinking into the passenger seat. "I’m glad you’re driving." Maria laughed as she drove Gabi home after their long shopping excursion. "So, what do you know about Heather?" Gabi asked trying unsuccessfully to sound casual. Maria shot Gabi a look. "Gabi?" Maria’s voice raised. "Surely you don’t see her as some sort of threat, do you?" Gabi twisted her wedding ring around her finger. "Oh, Gabi…you are insane," Maria guffawed. "You and Antonio are like teenagers on prom night. You guys still can’t keep your hands off each other. What in the world are you worried about?" "I don’t know, Maria...nothing, everything," Gabi said with embarrassment. "It’s just that I’m getting so big and Heather’s so...ugh!" Maria shook her head at her friend. "Antonio thinks you are so...ugh!" Gabi turned to her sister-in-law. "You know that, don’t you?" Gabi shook her head miserably. "I know, I just don’t feel so...ugh!" Maria and Gabi laughed together. Maria pulled up at the townhouse and exited the car helping Gabi carry in her packages. She hugged Gabi tightly. "Now, you just stop being so darn silly, girl. That boy only has eyes for you!" Gabi shook her head with a smile and Maria left. Gabi carried her bags upstairs mumbling to herself all the way about how silly she was being and how it must be all these damn hormones running around her body. She began unpacking her bags when she heard the doorbell ring downstairs. She made her way carefully down the stairs and over to the door. "Oh my God, Ricardo!" she almost shouted seeing him standing on the porch. It had been almost three and a half months since anyone had seen or heard from him. Gabi stood staring at him for a few seconds. "Hi, Gabi," he said quietly, looking down to her expanding waistline. "How are you?" Gabi searched for her words. "Ricardo, where have you been? Are you alright?" Ricardo was touched that Gabi cared enough about him to do anything other than slam the door in his face. "Gabi, we need to talk. I promise, just talk. May I please come in?" Gabi could see that Ricardo was a changed man. The man who stood before her was happy and relaxed, almost a stranger. "Sure, come in." Ricardo walked slowly into the townhouse. "This is beautiful, Gabi," he said sincerely. "Antonio must be doing very well." "Thank you, Ricardo." "Gabi." Ricardo turned around seriously. "I am so sorry about...what happened. I was in a very bad place then." He couldn’t look at her. "Gabi, I’m so ashamed of what I did to you. I know it’s asking a lot for you to forgive me, I understand if you don’t. But please believe me, I have changed a lot in the last few months. I’ve stopped drinking and I’ve been taking better care of myself." Gabi could see that he was telling the truth. "I’ve been away, out of town, doing a hell of a lot of thinking about myself and my family…and you." He raised his eyes to meet hers. "I know that we weren’t meant to be, Gab. It just was so hard for me to see you with my brother. But I can see that you two are very much in love." He nodded toward her belly. "And obviously things are going very well for you." Gabi smiled as she rested her hands on her tummy. "I’m happy for you, Gabi. Really happy. I know that Antonio may never forgive me for what happened, and you may not either, but I just wanted you to know that I am back in town...to stay...and I won’t be a part of your lives if that’s the way you want it." Gabi was completely speechless. She smiled at him gently then walked past him. "We’ve all been very worried about you, Ricardo. No one knew where you were." She turned around to face him. "I was worried about you, Ricardo. I knew that wasn’t you…that you would never do something like that." Ricardo dropped his head. "Antonio has been dealing with a lot of emotions over what happened…so have I. But time heals, Ricardo and I can see that it has healed you, too." Ricardo felt a wave of relief. "Oh, Gabi. I’m so glad to hear you say that. I was so nervous to come here…I was afraid you would still be so angry with me. I’m so sorry, Gabi." Gabi walked over and touched his arm. "It’s okay, Ricardo. Just give me some time to get used to you being here again, but it will all be okay." Ricardo smiled warmly at her. "So, tell me all about the baby," he said proudly. "Am I going to have a niece or a nephew?" Gabi laughed as they sat on the couch. She filled him in on everything that happened since he had been gone. He told her he saw Maria and that was how he found out where they lived. They talked for a long while just getting comfortable with each other again. "I don’t know when Antonio will be home. He’s been working a lot lately." Gabi looked at her watch. "You could wait around if you want." Ricardo stood up. "No, I’ve taken up enough of your time already. Besides, I have to go see mama. I just got back to town this afternoon." He started for the door. "Tell Antonio that I am back and if he wants to talk to me, I’ll be around." He opened the door and walked out onto the porch. "It’s good to see you, Gabi. Good bye." Gabi watched Ricardo leave. She really did see that he was a different person than when she last saw him. She just hoped Antonio could see it too. THE DEEP Antonio and Heather were working late again. The audit was due in three weeks and there were still so many files to be reconciled. Antonio came into his office carrying yet another stack of files. Heather was sitting on the couch twisting her neck from side to side as she rubbed it furiously. Antonio stopped silently by the door. Her golden hair hung against her face and swayed softly as she turned her head. She looked up realizing Antonio was back in the room. He startled as she took notice of him and quickly walked over to his desk. Heather smiled as she dipped her head turning back to the papers before her. "So, I think this is the last of the files for tonight," Antonio said distractedly. "Ben is finishing up the section two files and he should have them for us tomorrow." "Good," Heather replied. "Things are really coming together nicely. I should be finished here just in time for the audit meeting." She stood from the couch and walked over to the window overlooking the ocean. "The beach is so beautiful here. You don’t see much surf back in Chicago." "That’s where you’re from?" Antonio asked with interest. "I’ve never been to Chicago but I hear it’s a great city." "I love Chicago. There is so much architecture, great museums, the Lincoln Park Zoo...I could just go on and on," Heather gushed as Antonio smiled at her enthusiasm. "When I was a little girl, my dad used to take me to Navy Pier and we would sit and watch the sailboats in Lake Michigan. It was my favorite part of the weekend." She looked down sadly. Antonio watched her expression change. "Your father, is he still living?" "No," she said sadly. "He developed cancer when I was 8 and died when I was 10." "I’m sorry," Antonio said softly. "It must have been hard to grow up without your father." "Yes," Heather wiped away a tear as she looked at Antonio. "We were very close." Antonio smiled sympathetically at her. He noticed for the first time how deep blue her eyes were as they glistened from her tears. Heather laughed nervously as she wiped her cheeks dry. She tucked her hair behind her ear with her finger. "Now look, my mascara is running," she joked. "Well, we should really get back to work here. It’s getting awfully late." Antonio looked at the clock. "You know what, why don’t we go get some dinner? I know this great restaurant, Grenadine’s." He stood up from his chair. "We’ve been working you to death since you’ve been here without even a thanks." "You shouldn’t be thanking me, I’m auditing you!" she tossed her head back as she laughed. "Just let me get my purse." She headed out of the office. Antonio couldn’t help but admire her as she left - there was something about her... Antonio asked the waiter for the check as Heather finished the last of her Tira Misu. Antonio smiled as he looked into his lap. "What’s so funny? Do I have cake all over my face?" Heather wiped at her chin with her napkin. "No," Antonio laughed. "It’s just so nice to see a woman actually finish a dessert." Heather rolled her gorgeous blue eyes. "Ha, ha. I’ve never been a shy one about my food. I love to eat and I’m not afraid to admit it." "I couldn’t tell by looking at you," Antonio said admiringly. Heather glanced up at him and caught him blushing from his own comment. "Thank you. That’s very sweet." She dropped her eyes and took a sip of her coffee. "Well, I guess we should get going," he said reluctantly. "It’s pretty late." Antonio walked behind her and pulled out her chair. As she stood up, his hand brushed against her back. Heather felt a charge from his touch. Antonio felt a charge from touching her. She swallowed hard and walked toward the door. Antonio noticed the men in the restaurant following Heather with their eyes. He could understand why. He drove Heather back to her hotel. They shared an uncomfortable silence as Antonio tried to think of something to say. "Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow," Heather said softly. Antonio noticed how sexy her voice was. "Thank you, Antonio. For dinner, it was wonderful." She innocently touched his hand. His eyes fell to her hand touching his as he felt his breath catch in his throat. Heather took a deep breath and removed her hand slowly. "Good night," she said almost whispering. She climbed out of the car and walked up to the hotel. Antonio was unfamiliar with the feeling he had as he watched Heather disappear inside. She was a beautiful woman, smart and funny and he was a happily married man, very happily married. So why did he suddenly feel so very guilty?
|