Angels at the Table (Angels Everywhere #7)(7)

“Where should we meet?” Lucie asked. “At the diner again?”

“No,” he said, and ran his finger down the side of her face. “I’ll admit I’m a bit of a romantic. Let’s meet at the top of the Empire State Building.”

“Why there?” she asked, smiling at his suggestion.

“That’s where I’d like to kiss you again.”

“Okay,” she agreed, “but you understand … I might not come. I hate the thought of you just waiting for me there in the cold.”

“Then don’t keep me waiting.”

“Oh, Aren, I don’t know …”

“Not now you don’t. Give it a week? Okay?”

“Okay.”

Aren walked her down the stairs to the subway and waited with her until her train arrived. Lucie stepped inside and automatically went to the window, pressing her hand against it. Standing on the other side, Aren pressed his palm against hers, with the glass between them. As the train started to move, she blew him a kiss.

How wise he was. A week would give her time to think, time to decide. And how romantic of him to suggest the top of the Empire State Building. Biting down on her lower lip, Lucie wanted so badly to continue their relationship … but the timing was all wrong. Yet, would she ever have a chance like this again? That was a question she was afraid to answer.

Chapter Three

Lucie’s eyes burned as she hurriedly dressed for work after less than three hours’ sleep. Even though she was physically dragging, emotionally she was on an all-time high. She didn’t harbor a single regret. Her trip into the city had been amazing. Meeting Aren had set her heart spinning with possibilities. They’d clicked as if they’d grown up together, rediscovering a deep connection to each other after a long separation.

Before her father died, and before Lucie had started culinary school, she’d dated often. With other men there’d always been that awkward getting-to-know-you period with long pauses in conversation as they struggled to find a connection. It hadn’t been that way with Aren. He’d been so interesting and interested in her. She’d never met a man who wasn’t keen on talking about himself, dominating the conversation and looking to make an impression. Aren had been so comfortable with who he was that he didn’t seem to feel the need to babble on and on about his career or his influential friends. The connection had been there from the very first, which made her decision all the more difficult. How could she walk away from this promising relationship? How would it be possible to maintain even the semblance of one, stretched for time as she already was?

Lucie ran a brush through her dark, shoulder-length hair and then pinned it away from her face, looping the long strands behind her ears. Once she was in the restaurant kitchen, she’d secure it with a net and a chef’s hat. She wore the hat with pride. She’d worked hard for the privilege.

Her mother paused in the doorway to Lucie’s bathroom. “What time did you get in last night?”

“Late.” Lucie wasn’t about to tell her mother exactly what time she’d slipped into bed.

“Did you have fun?”

Sighing, Lucie nodded. “I had the most amazing night.”

Her mother’s face brightened. “I knew getting out would do you a world of good. Lucie, I worry about you and all the hours you work. I’m happy you took my advice and went out with your friends.”

“I’m happy I did, too. Don’t worry about me, really, Mom, it won’t be like this much longer.” Once the restaurant was up and running Lucie would be able to take a breather. She hoped. Heavenly Delights needed to be a success. It was their future, their dream, and Lucie was determined to make it a winner. She simply had to, seeing that her mother had invested so heavily in it. Wendy had trusted Lucie with her life’s savings and life insurance money and Lucie couldn’t, wouldn’t, disappoint her family.

“You met someone, didn’t you?”

“Mom!”

“Didn’t you?”

Reluctantly, Lucie nodded.

“Why so secretive? Tell me about him.”

“Mom, I don’t have time. I’m late already.”

Her mother remained undeterred. “Well, at least tell me how you met.”

Lucie couldn’t have contained a smile if she’d tried. “We met in Times Square at midnight and Aren kissed me.”

Wendy’s eyes widened. “Well, of course. That’s how I met all the men in my life,” she teased.

“I lost Jazmine and Catherine in the crowd and I was standing alone while everyone was ringing in the New Year. People were singing, hugging, and kissing one another. Aren and I bumped against each other and before I knew it we were kissing, too.”

Her mother’s shoulders rose with a deep sigh. “That is probably the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

Lucie finished putting on her makeup, took one last look at herself in the mirror, and decided it was good enough. Once she was finished with work, she’d eat a light dinner and go straight to bed. She needed to be careful in the kitchen, working around knives and fire while sleep deprived.

“When are you seeing Aren again?” her mother asked, following Lucie into the kitchen.

“I … I don’t know. He’s new in town and busy.”