Blaze (Heat #3)(21)

There was a tiny baby growing inside of her. My brother or sister.

I close my eyes before I open them and look directly at him. "Did she blame me?"

"She did," he answers without hesitation. "She told me that you were angry and pushed her. I didn't believe her. We fought about it."

"I'm sorry, "I say quietly. "I'm sorry about the baby."

"We went to Rome because she wanted to heal." He rubs his fingers over his brow. "When we were there she told me about the restraining order. She told me she didn't want you near her when we came back to New York."

I nod. "You came back sometimes. I saw it in the Times. I saw you on television."

His gaze falls to the watch on his wrist. "Each time I wanted to call. Each time Asta told me she'd leave me if I did. She reminded me that she'd lost the only child she'd ever have."

"You didn't try to have another baby?"

"We tried for years after." He taps the face of the watch with his finger. "Then a doctor in Florence told her that it wasn't going to happen. The first pregnancy was a miracle he said. A second wasn't possible."

I swipe away a tear that is falling down my cheek. "I didn't know about any of this."

"I never wanted you to feel that it was your fault. It was an accident. Asta needed someone to blame for her loss and that someone was you."

"Do you forgive me?" My voice is shaky.

"I'm the one looking for forgiveness." He slides his hand across the table. "I failed as your father. I let my grief be my guide. If anyone needs to beg for forgiveness, it's me."

***

I set the box in my hand on the kitchen island when I hear Sophia's key in the door. I'd taken a detour on my way back from Magari, stopping to pick up a gift that I should have bought a long time ago.

"How did it go?" She's breathless as she approaches me from behind. "Is everything good? Did you two get along?"

I pivot on my heel to face her. I push a breath of air out from between my lips.

Her eyes skim my face. "You've been crying, Den. Tell me what it is. What the hell happened?"

"We talked about the past." I kick off my heels. "I understand more now. I think he does too."

She reaches up to run the pad of her thumb over the skin under my eye. "Your mascara smudged a bit. I can clean it up for you."

I shake my head. "I'm going to shower soon. I need to wash today away."

"I'll be here to talk if you need me." The worry in her blue eyes matches her voice. "I'm a great listener, Den."

"You're the best listener," I say with a small smile. "Are we having dinner together tonight?"

She hesitates, her eyes scanning my face. I know she wants to know more about what happened between me and Sergio but my heart feels like it's been slivered into a thousand pieces. Talking about it won't help. I need to absorb it quietly, on my own.

"Do you want to go out?" Her face brightens. "We could go eat greasy cheeseburgers and then catch a movie."

"If I eat a cheeseburger and popcorn will I fit in the dress you made me for Nova's launch?"

"It'll fit," she shoots back. "There's not much to it, so you're good."

"There's not much to it?" I grin. "It's not a club, Sophia. It's the opening of a restaurant."

"I got that memo, Chef." She turns on her heel. "Trust me. You'll look like a million bucks."





CHAPTER 24


"I didn't expect to see you before tonight." I step back from the open door of my apartment to let Tyler in. "I thought you'd be rushing to get everything in order for the soft launch."

"I am." He kisses me softly before he walks toward the kitchen. "I needed to see you. I've missed your beautiful face."

I've missed his face too, and not just because it's handsome. We've talked on the phone a few times since my lunch with Sergio. I didn't tell Tyler about the baby because stealing his focus from launch night would be selfish. We'll have plenty of time to talk once tonight is over. The restaurant doesn't officially open for another week. Tonight is a test run to work out all the bumps and setbacks, even though I seriously doubt there will be any.

"How are you feeling?" I ask excitedly. "Can you believe you'll be serving food at Nova tonight?"

"It's surreal." He looks around the room. "Will you cook for me here on the weekend? You can make that trout dish that I love."

"I'll make you anything you want, Chef." I circle my arms around his neck. "I might even bake another cake to make up for the missed birthday celebration."

"The naked missed birthday celebration?"

"That's the one." I tap my fingers on the front of his shirt. "It will be a birthday and Nova launch private party just for the two of us."

He closes his eyes as he draws in a heavy breath. "Someone f*cked things up, Cadence. It was one of the people from the PR firm."

"Shit," I wince. "Is it bad? What happened?"

"I gave them a list of people in the industry I want there tonight." He inches back, his hands dropping from my waist. "Trevino's coming."