Tempted In The City

“They’re a little slow on the delivery, but they’re worth it. I’ve never had a bad meal from them. I think you’ll be pleased.”

“So, was that a no to joining me?”

“Don’t think I can.”

“Okay, but the thing I wanted to talk to you about. It’s kind of a big deal.”

“Shoot.”

“I’m considering a rooftop garden. A decent-sized one, maybe one some of the neighbors could use, as well.” She flipped to the back pages and handed him the binder. While he glanced at the sample gardens, she grabbed her iPhone off her dresser and called the restaurant. Her order was large, but that was what she got for waiting until she was this hungry.

Or Tony could change his mind. No, she had to stop that sort of thinking.

By the time she’d finished giving her address, Tony was seated again, and watching her, a slight smile tugging at his mouth.

“What?”

“You must really like Chinese food.”

“I do.” She laughed. “I even like it for breakfast.”

His brows rose. “Good thing.”

“Don’t knock it until you try it.”

“Hey, I’m the same way. I’ll eat the stuff any time of the day—” He’d been about to say more but stopped himself.

She’d wager anything she’d surprised him. Which wasn’t a bad thing.

Not a bad thing at all.

With her own secret smile, she sat down again. Too late, she realized it might’ve been better for her to have remained standing. They weren’t sitting indecently close or anything—she’d left some space between them—but she could feel the warmth of his body pulling at her, distracting her from the point of the conversation.

She cleared her throat. “I volunteer at the community gardens at the UN,” she said, relieved her voice sounded normal. “Where I work. Obviously, this wouldn’t be as large, but my roof is flat and I’m pretty sure there’s room enough for what I have in mind. What I don’t know is if it’s possible.”

“That’s...a big job. A very... There’s a lot to consider. We’ve done a few, all on restaurant rooftops.”

“I know. I saw on your website.”

He hesitated again and got that inscrutable look on his face. “There are so many things that all have to work for it to be possible. The weight of a garden can be tremendous. We’d need to call in a structural engineer to begin with. Then there are permits, including using a crane on a street that isn’t very wide.”

“I understand. But I’d like to find out if it’s possible before I fall too far in love with the idea.”

“I’ll look into it.”

Something was clearly bothering him. She didn’t think she should ask. It was just as likely to be her imagination. But when he abruptly got to his feet, she knew it wasn’t.

“But now, I really do have to leave.”

Disappointed, Catherine accompanied him downstairs, and when she opened the front door, there was a kid sitting on the bottom step of her stoop. She couldn’t imagine what he was doing there.

He jumped to his feet and looked at Tony. “Hey, Mr. Paladino. Nonna wants you to come over. She’s got something wrong with—” his face, pale under the unflattering outdoor light, scrunched with thought “—something in the kitchen.”

Tony frowned. “When did your grandma send you over? It’s almost seven o’clock.”

The kid, who looked to be around ten, shrugged. “I dunno. She and my mom were arguing about something. Then I was supposed to come here. Wait to catch you before you went home.”

Tony turned to Catherine. “Sorry. This is Ricky Alberti. His grandmother is your neighbor.”

She smiled at the boy. “Nice to meet you.”

When Tony stepped outside, his frown looked even more doleful in the bad light. “You tell your grandma that she should call Gina for an appointment. No. Have her call me. I’ll tell her myself.”

Ricky shrugged again. “’Kay.” Then he was off like a shot.

“I’m sorry about that,” Tony said, sounding irritated despite the easy smile. “He shouldn’t have been hanging around your stoop.”

“It’s no problem. I find it kind of charming, actually. The sign of a tight neighborhood.”

The brief glance toward the neighbor’s house indicated he didn’t agree. Huh. “Well, I’m not thrilled at being at everyone’s beck and call. Anyway, I’ll be going now.” He took two steps down before turning to her again. “Hope you like the dumplings. They’re my favorite.”

Grateful the tension had vanished, she almost asked him to stay and have some of hers, but she stopped herself just in time. “Good night, Tony. Thank you. For tonight.”

He smiled, nodded, but didn’t look at her again. He just hurried away.

She closed the door, and wished very hard that he’d forgotten something. His cell phone. A jacket. To kiss her.

4 (#ulink_16afbb12-9c74-5dfd-a50a-2793cb57fa24)

BY MONDAY AFTERNOON, Tony had finished transferring what he needed to make his father’s old office feel like his own. He’d also gotten more comfortable with being the boss, although there were a few decisions he wished his father could have made.

He heard a low voice in the reception area, one he’d recognize in a blackout. Well, at least the old man had lasted almost a whole week without coming to check up on his empire.

Tony was delighted to see that his mom had come, too, and that Joe was wearing a Hawaiian-print shirt, one he was allowed to wear only on vacations. They were both chatting with Gina as if their separation had been years instead of days. Tony joined them, giving his mother a kiss on the cheek. “Worried the place was falling apart?”

Joe gave him a scowl. “You think I don’t trust you? I trust you. The real question is do you trust you?”

“I’m working on it, Pop. I don’t know if I’ll ever figure out how you kept Luca and Dom in line.”

His mother frowned, although he knew the look was more for effect than anything. “All three of you were no picnic, believe me.”

“I know.” Tony grinned. “Honestly, though, they’ve both been fine. Luca, a little finer than Dominic. You know how he is. The kid thinks he’s Sinatra or something, and he’s tone deaf.”

“Sinatra was from Jersey,” Gina said. “Dom wants to be the king of Little Italy.”

“It’s a small kingdom.” Tony walked over to the whiteboard without really looking at it. “Getting smaller by the day.”

“We’re not going to talk about work,” his mother said. Theresa was really the boss of the family, and everyone knew that. She didn’t mind leaving the details to her brood, but anything big was Ma’s domain.