She opened the door. Her place wasn’t a complete pigsty.
“You have suitcases?” Amedeo said.
“Yes.”
Well, she had one. She never took trips so she didn’t need more than that.
“Just get what you absolutely need. I’ll have a moving company do the rest.”
She spun on him. “That’s not necessary.”
“Do you want to chance dealing with Reggie again?” She sighed. She didn’t. He nudged her further into the apartment. “Now, pack and I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“He isn’t worth getting upset about, Amedeo.”
“Leave it to me,” he said then left.
She hurried and packed as much as she could into a suitcase. Not that it would matter. When she started to show, she’d have to buy other clothing. With her suitcase full and her laptop in tow, she found Amedeo coming back up the steps.
“Is everything okay?” she said.
He didn’t look mussed at all. What had he done to Reggie? He held out his hand toward her suitcase. “Everything is fine.”
She pulled her bag closer to her.
“Violet, please let me take your suitcase. You’re pregnant and probably shouldn’t carry things.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll only ask nicely one more time,” he said.
She could see his grave expression and decided not to argue. He could win this small battle. He wasn’t going to be victorious in the war. Not if she had anything to say about it.
He took her suitcase then reached for her laptop bag. “I can handle the laptop. It isn’t heavy.”
“Violet.”
“Okay, fine.”
She handed him the laptop.
***
Most of the time Amedeo liked his job. Today had not been one of them. The power went out in the building for two hours, making it impossible to get work done. Then his server was having issues and the hosting company wasn’t giving him good customer service.
He had his IT department look into getting their own server. It had always chafed him that he wasn’t keeping that in-house. Now he wanted it. He also had the maintenance department look into hooking up a generator to the building.
He’d thought about it after a few hurricanes had come through New Jersey. He’d never done it, but now it was a top priority.
He loosened his tie on the ride home and he wanted to put on a pair of jeans. He mentally reviewed his refrigerator for what he could make for dinner and decided maybe takeout was a good idea. He’d have to see what Violet wanted.
His driver dropped him off at his house.
“I’m not going anywhere tonight, so take the night off,” he told him.
“Thanks, Mr. Killiano.”
“No problem. As always, keep your phone on in case of an emergency.”
“Yes, sir.”
Amedeo climbed out and looked up at his house. He loved this place. It was his sanctuary. Tonight it glowed with lights because Violet was here. He liked the idea that he wasn’t coming home to an empty house. He probably shouldn’t get used to that idea. She was only here temporarily.
He opened the front door to a wonderful smell. Beef something? Stew? He couldn’t quite place it, but his stomach rumbled at the scent. Dropping his keys in the dish by the door, he put his briefcase under that table.
He took in a nice breath through his noise. Damn. That smelled good. Better than takeout.
Walking into the kitchen, he found Violet stirring something on the stove.
“That smells marvelous.”
She jumped. “Hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will. I don’t have to cook it,” he said.
He dropped his now untied tie onto the counter. He’d get it later. He unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt. When he looked up, Violet was staring at him. She shook herself, then put a plate in front of him.
“Thanks,” he said.
“Wine?”
She’d found his cellar and obviously opened one for him. “Sure.”
She poured him a glass, then headed toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I was going to leave you alone. I have some work to do,” she said.
“Stay.”
She looked at him as if she didn’t believe he wanted her to stay.
“Please, Violet. I’d enjoy the company.”
She nodded, then slid onto a stool at the other end of the island in his kitchen. He’d situated it diagonally so it could be as long as possible. Ten feet. He was proud of that. When he cooked for his family they could gather here. He liked the warmth of having them around, though now that he was married, Dante was having them over to his place more.
When he finally told his mother about Violet, he’d invite her over. Might be easier to get to know his mother in this setting rather than her own house. Neutral ground.