Enzo and Carm share a glance.
“You heard?” I ask.
Enzo’s smile slides on easily and Carm outright laughs. “We heard. In all truth, we were going to surprise the two of you when we saw you crossing the street, but then you guys stopped, and we had to hide.”
“Then you heard me.”
“Yeah, and that’s not the way to win Blanca,” Enzo says.
They all shake their heads and I want to ask Dom what he’s shaking his head about. He wasn’t even there.
Enzo glances down the table and then back to me. “Think of the cheesiest romcom out there? Something you’d hear about from someone else and think ‘what kind of idiot would do that?’ You need to do that for Blanca.”
“You gotta smack those feelings right on your chest and tell her what she’s missing without you. Tell her about the man you are and how cut you are that you can’t have her,” Carm says.
It’s true. I’m awake most nights thinking about her. Thinking about where we would be if she wasn’t Sierra’s best friend and I wasn’t Sierra’s ex. That if we met in the city before she reconnected with Sierra, would things be different.
Even worse is the constant hard-on. The beating off in the shower, at night and in the morning. Which only turns to sexual thoughts with her and since I’ve already had her, it’s excruciating to know exactly what I’m missing. It’s not like I can convince myself that she might not suck me off well or that she’s probably too inexperienced or not a team player. I know all that isn’t true. And I know what a rock star she is in bed.
I nod at her brothers, taking it all in.
“Hey, we’ve been there. With that big guy right there it was the like pulling twenty pounds of feelings out of a pinhole. He was the worst.” Enzo points to Dom and he sighs but doesn’t deny it.
“We had a lot of issues, but hey, I’m bringing the first Mancini grandchild to Mama, so guess who her favorite is now?” Dom winks and his hand falls to his wife’s belly where she links her hand with his.
I’m not usually the jealous type but watching them happy makes me wonder what I’m missing with Blanca.
Carm’s ordering another round of drinks when my phone vibrates in my pocket. Seeing my mom’s name, I excuse myself from the table.
“Mom?”
“Oh good. Your dad needs you. He’s acting up and they can’t calm him down. They want one of us to go over there. I told them you’re in Cliffton Heights. I can’t get a hold of Kori and you know I can’t take off. Carol is off on maternity leave and there’s no one to cover for me.”
I run a hand through my hair, stepping out of the way of a man who wants to go to the restroom. “I’m in the city.”
“Oh heavens. Thank goodness. So I’ll tell them you’ll be there in?”
I estimate the train and bus ride from downtown to the Bronx in my head. “Probably an hour.”
“That’s better than if you were in Cliffton Heights. I’m so glad you’re close.”
The thick layer of guilt is clear in her tone. She’s silently saying if you lived in the city, it’d be so much easier.
“I’ll leave now and call you after.”
“Thank you, Ethan. I love you.”
“Love you.” I pocket my phone and turn around only to find Blanca there.
“Everything okay? Was it Mr. Copeland?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. No, it wasn’t Phil. I have to go. Do you mind getting on the train by yourself? I’ll be in the city a bit longer than we thought.” I dig my wallet out and prepare to throw cash down on the table.
I head to where I was sitting.
“Where are you off to?” Carm asks.
“I’ve got something to do. It was great meeting you all.” I shake all their hands and throw some cash on the table.
“Oh no, it’s Dom’s treat.” Enzo winks at him and he sighs.
“You can’t just go. We were in the middle of—”
I ignore Dom when Blanca comes by my side with her purse swung on her arm like she’s coming too. “What are you doing?”
“For the record, that’s certainly not the tone I’d use to win her over.” Enzo’s eyebrows raise.
“I’m coming with you.”
I grab my messenger bag and swing it over my shoulder. “No, you’re not.”
“Strike two,” Carm says. All the brothers’ arms now crossed over their chests.
“Listen, Blanca. It’s a family thing and…”
“You looked upset when you hung up the phone. We’ll go and if you want me to stay in the taxi, I will. I won’t interfere, but it’s senseless for us to take separate trains.”
“You can take our car. We’re heading to the office after this.” Carm pulls out his phone. “Hey babe, Travis is off lunch by now, right?”
Bella lifts her wrist to check the time, probably on a watch that could pay my rent for a year. “Yeah.”
“Perfect.” Carm presses a button on his phone. “Hey Trav. Change of plans, you’re going to pick up my sister and her…” He looks at me and smirks. “Her platonic co-worker at the restaurant here and take them where they need to go and then to the train station. After you’re done, you’re done for the day.”
He says a few other things and clicks. “It’s a black Range Rover. He’s around the corner, so give him a minute or so. My—”
“Our,” Bella clarifies, and everyone laughs. Everyone but me and Blanca.
“Of course. Our company logo is on the side of it.”
“Thanks.” There’s a relief that I’m not at the mercy of a taxi or public transportation. By taking Carm’s driver, I’ll get there earlier, which will hopefully make the orderly and nurses happy.
“No problem. We’ll see you soon,” Bella says.
“At Sunday dinner,” Carm adds.
“Mama’s next,” Dom says, his eyes widening like I should be scared.
“Pops too. Let’s remember, Blanca is his only daughter,” Enzo says and they all grin at one another.
“You should stay with your family,” I tell Blanca, ignoring them for the most part. They weren’t that scary so hopefully it’s the same for her parents should there ever come a time I meet them.
“No.” She hugs and kisses everyone, telling them she’ll see them Sunday.
Without waiting for me, she walks out of the restaurant before me.
“Thank you for everything.” I wave to everyone.
“Remember, open up your chest and let your heart fall out. That’s how you get Blanca,” Carm calls out after me.
We file out of the restaurant and the Range Rover with Carm’s half naked body plastered on it is already waiting for us. Blanca wastes no time in climbing into the backseat, saying her hellos. I get in next to her and both of them stare at me for the destination. I stare at Blanca because she’s about to find out something about me I don’t share with anyone.
“Willow Court Assisted Living in the Bronx.”
Travis nods and pulls away from the curb.
“A grandparent?” Blanca asks.