Second Chance at Love(21)

Spinning around he looked down at Karen, his dark eyes twinkling with excitement at seeing her. And before he knew it he was picking her up in her bulking light gray down coat and giving her a tight squeeze. He was not disappointed when she wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her up against his body. Giving her a quick kiss on the lips, he just had to let her know, “Baby, I missed you like crazy. What took you so long getting to me?”



Karen giggled. Leaning back, she kissed his nose. “Aw, baby I missed you more.” Hugging him again Karen rested her chin against his shoulder, giving her an up close and personal view of Miss Thang. Sure enough, just as she’d thought, big hair, big boobie girl was giving her the evil eye. Interesting. Karen stared right back. Lifting an amused brow, she said, “I’m sorry love, but traffic was a mess. I got here as fast as I could.”



Sliding down the front of his leather-covered chest, she took his hand in hers as she faced the other woman. “Dom, who’s this?”



Was that a hint of jealousy I heard in my baby’s voice? How cute. “Karen, this is Gina Tucci. We used to date back in the day. We were even going to get married. Gina, this is my lady, Karen Johnston.”



The gleam of satisfaction glittering in Gina’s eyes was doused. She hadn’t expected for Dom to be so upfront and honest with his lady. She had wanted to be the one to throw up in Karen’s face that she and Dom had had a serious past. One not to be bested, Gina just had to brag, “Yes, Dommie and I were engaged. I was his first love.” The evil smirk she wore was meant to get under Karen’s skin. And it did.



Oh no this stank heifer didn’t! She just couldn’t say, ‘it’s nice to meet you.’ No the ignorant hussy had to throw up in my face that she was Dom’s first love. I see I’m gonna have to shut this chick down. Karen’s smile was saccharine sweet. “Girl, that was some teenage, puppy love stuff. Dom’s all grown up now and getting some grown up loving. Umm…you may have been his first love…but I’m his last and only love.” Karen cocked her head to the side and gave Gina a wink. “Lucky me, huh?” She couldn’t help the tiny smirk curling her lips. I crack me up. I sure ‘nuff can talk some trash.



Dom coughed, covering up a chuckle. Karen was something else. He would have never guessed her to be the razor tongue type. He had to do something and quick to diffuse what was about to be a very ugly scene. Gina wasn’t exactly a punk. When angered she had a nasty, foul mouth and didn’t care what she said or how she said it. If he didn’t separate the two they might be hissing and showing claws any second. Taking Karen’s hand, he told Gina it was good seeing her again and to take care.



Boy did that get Gina’s dander up. Just who did Dom think he was dismissing her? Better yet, who did this woman think she was talking to her like this? Her face turned crimson and it appeared as if her hair expanded even bigger. She didn’t know what to do with herself. Gina was really a pretty woman, but from the ugly scowl she wore no one would have ever known it. And the words she was about to spew were just as ugly. Turning to Dom, she lashed out. “You were never good enough for me anyway. You think just because you’re Dominic Peretti’s son you’re one of us. You’ll never be one of us. You’re better off in the ghetto with your black bitch.”



Karen was in shock as she watched Gina storm out of the restaurant. Did she just really call her a black bitch? Well…yeah she did, taunted the voice in her head. Turning to Dom, she was fired up, getting ready to throw a hissy fit. Just what kind of bimbos was he used to being involved with anyway? Before she could get a word out she stopped dead in her tracks. Dom’s strong, handsome jaw was clenched in anger. His dark eyes had gone from twinkling to dangerously ominous. Karen’s heart went out to him. Gina’s words had been beyond ugly and acrid. Gently touching his arm, she apologized. “Dom, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything to her.” A shiver passed through Karen as she remembered Gina’s nasty word. “We don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”



Karen was torn between running after Gina and beating her down and staying by Dom’s side.



“No, we’re not going anywhere. We met for lunch. We’re having lunch.”



Karen gave him a weak smile. “Ok.”



Settled at the table, Karen held Dom’s hand as they blessed their food. The two sat in silence as they ate their Cosi’s sandwich and salad combos. Putting her fork down, Karen broke the silence when she asked, “Dom, what was that all about?”