The Harbour...Chapter 25: Sorting things out
They had finally disentangled themselves from where they lay on the carpet, and pulling on his sweater, she had gotten up to call the kids.
They were home from the movies and were watching TV, having already done their homework before Maya’s 16th birthday bash on Saturday night. It was was nearly 9:00, she promised to be home by 10:00.
Myrtle was in the house, but Carolyn had become more protective of the children since she and Kyle had split, and especially on school nights, liked to be home when they went to bed.
Maro sat watching her as she spoke to Caitlin, smiling warmly at her when their eyes met.
Her carefully curled hairdo was long gone after their passionate evening on his living room floor. He smiled happily and stretched back out against the cushions. He had never felt so content, so complete, in his life.
Carolyn slid back onto the floor next to him and stroked his chest gently, making his pulse quicken.
His heart honestly felt like it would take flight. “I have to go soon,” she said smiling down at him.
He sat up with what he hoped was a look of abject disappointment.
She chuckled. “Nice try D’Angelo.”
He leaned over and kissed her, letting his lips linger against hers.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you,” she whispered back, her mouth parting into a smile. He gently brushed a hair from her face.
“Sooooo...” she said making a silly face and sitting up. “How much do I need to know about all these women?”
He crinkled his nose, and exhaled deeply, he sat up too, giving her an almost apologetic smile. “I’ll tell you everything you want to know,” he said faced her and looking her straight in her eyes, his expression suddenly serious.
She swallowed deeply, smiling and nodded her eyes shining. She glanced at her watch, and frowned fleetingly.
“Do you want to talk about this tomorrow?” he asked, squeezing her hand. “We can go to breakfast, or better yet, you can come back here and I’ll make you breakfast, and we can talk.”
“I guess it’s best not to even start the conversation right now,” she said with a little smile, glancing at her watch again.
“Well...except...” She continued, taking a deep breath. Marco’s stomach constricted ever so slightly.
“I’m not as concerned about, the others, but the Nina thing...what was that whole...” she frowned. “That whole display about?”
She ran his ran over his face slowly and exhaled.
“Nina,” he said. “Nina...Boy, where do I start?”
He gave her an embarrassed smile, and grabbed her hand.
“Our...our...friendship was...was...completely uncomplicated. Or so I thought,” he said with a dry laugh.
Holding Carolyn’s hands and only occasionally glancing away when he was searching for the right words, Marco explained his unusual relationship with Nina Caliente.
They moved in the same circles in Simmiewood and had known each other for a number of years.
About ten years ago, he was seeking to expand his investment portfolio when he learned in a casual conversation with Nina - one of Simmiewood’s top chefs - that she was trying to open her own restaurant. Their business partnership had formed.
They became friends and a couple of years later they crossed the line and added benefits to their very comfortable relationship.
It was never romantic Marco told Carolyn earnestly; they had never been exclusive.
She asked him tentatively if he knew Nina and Kyle were friends.
He nodded. “He designed the furniture for the new restaurant. I got the impression they were old friends,” he said.
She cleared her throat. “Yes. They lived on the same street where he grew up.”
They looked at each other knowingly. He didn’t ask her the obvious question.
She sighed, and smiled crookedly. “I just didn’t want to know,” she said, seeming to read his thoughts.
“It was easier. I know I was being naive, but I needed...I needed...to protect myself,” she whispered.
He caressed her cheek.
“Nina must care about you very much,” Carolyn continued, pausing as though uncertain what words to use next.
“She called Kyle,” she finally said.
“What?” Marco looked confused.
“She called him in Italy and told him we were getting married.”
“How...how...do you...?”
“He was calling all day...”
Marco’s stomach flipped over and he felt his jaw clench.
“I finally answered,” she said. “Nina had called him.”
Marco didn’t know what train of thought to follow, that Nina had called Kyle, or...
“What did Kyle say?” he asked, his voice tight.
A shadow passed over Carolyn’s face. His pulse quickened.
