Page 43 of Tryst
I glimpsed back over my shoulder. Aiden was talking to a girl at the table beside ours. Isaac was chatting with Maddie. Turning back to Mr. Bernardi, I smiled, nodding.
Placing my hand in his, we shuffled into the elevator with others who were leaving. He stroked the back of my hand with his thumb as we rode to the street level and stepped off. Once in the alley, he tugged me toward the sidewalk. The line had grown longer. We rounded the corner, and he stopped. He never let go of my hand. In fact, he was holding it tighter than before.
I leaned on the wall, peering up into his dark eyes. “What are you doing in New York?”
“I haven’t been able to get you out of my head.” Eyes watering, he stroked my cheek. “I was coming here to listen to music. I heard it’s the place to be and you know I love jazz. My hotel is just down the road. I was going to look for you tomorrow. I got in tonight. Since your dad is who he is, I figured it would be easy to find you.” He chuckled, tilting his head. “I guess I was right.”
“I’m…just surprised.” Suddenly, I felt guilty he’d lost his job because of me. “Mr. Bernar—”
“No.” He circled his thumb on my jaw. “Call me Nick. My name is Niccolò but only my mother calls me that.”
“I’m not sure I can call you that.” I pursed my lips, chewing the inside of my bottom lip. “I have so many questions.”
His forehead creased with worry. “We can go get food and—”
“Who the fuck are you?!”
I spun around. “Antonio, you scared the crap outta me.” I giggled. “This is my friend, Mr. B—Nick.”
Mr. Bernardi extended his hand. “Hey, man. Nice to meet you.”
Antonio pinned his lit cigarette between his lips and crossed his arms high on his chest, narrowing his raged glare on him. He was no longer the friendly or charming man I’d met before tonight. A darkness loomed in his sinister eyes.
Mr. Bernardi lowered his hand. “Tough crowd.”
Wanting to keep peace, I strained to stay jovial. “How did you know I was out here?”
Antonio peeled his gaze from Mr. Bernardi, lowering it on me. His expression remained rigid. “I asked your friends where you were. Maddie’s brother told me you were out here with some guy.”
“I assure you I’m okay.” I snickered, resting a hand on his tense forearm. “We’re friends from college.”
“College?” His attention tightened on Mr. Bernardi once again. “A little old for college, aren’t you?”
“Antonio,” I sighed, dropping my hand. “I’m safe.”
Holy shit, he’s protective!It was weird. The man barely knew me, yet he lingered over me like a jealous boyfriend. He took a drag of his cigarette then lowered it to his side, flickering his gaze between Mr. Bernardi and me.
“It’s fine. Please tell my friends it’s okay.” I took Mr. Bernardi’s hand in mine and led him down the sidewalk, away from whatever Antonio was fretting over. Scared to look over my shoulder to see if he was still watching, I kept my eyes ahead, picking up the pace.
“Wow, he was, um...defensive about you.” He withdrew his hand, offering me his arm instead.
I hooked my hand in the crook of his elbow. “Yeah, no idea what that was about, actually.”
“You and him a thing?” The amusement in his voice seemed friendly, not at all bitter.
I cackled loudly. “Uh, no. He works there. I barely know him.”
“For someone who barely knows you, he sure seemed obsessed.”
I playfully flipped my hair, trying my best to make light of the situation. “Yeah, yeah, just like you were.” I froze. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry, I—”
“Eliza, relax.” He licked his lips, meeting my gaze. “Would you like to go grab some coffee or food?”
“You know I’d never turn down coffee.”
“Or food,” he joked. “There’s a little café around the corner from my hotel. It’s a short walk this way.”
As we strolled along the sidewalk, he was rather quiet. I didn’t know what to say, so I remained silent as well. It was odd he wasn’t mad about being terminated from his job because of us. So many burning questions ran through my mind. We soon came to a stop in front of a quaint and welcoming restaurant.See You Latte Café.