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But how do I bring it up without him thinking I’m obsessing over her? And I’m still unsure how to explain how I feel. But I’ll try.
“Hey, Ezra, can I ask you something?” I ask.
“Well, I am on the phone.”
“You remember Antonio, don’t you?”
“Yeah, you invested in his company.”
“Well, he has a daughter, a beautiful daughter. And I know that I can’t go after her, but I really want to. She’s put me in my place a couple of times, and I still want her.”
Ezra is quiet for a while, as if he is in shock, and I’m not surprised if he is. Our parents thought they’d never have more than one grandchild because of how their sons strayed from commitment, but I was worse than Dane and Ezra, as I’d always been. Ezra probably hasn’t thought he’d hear words like this from me in a million years.
“I wish I could tell you something that would help,” he says. “But there’s not much that I can say, Ivan. Every situation and person is different. Not to sound like a chick, but you really have to do what you feel is right.”
I frown even though Ezra can’t see it through the phone. I’m a little bit frustrated with the advice that he’s given me. “You’re right, man, you do sound like a chick,” I comment. “Is that the best advice you can give me?”
Ezra laughs. “I wish I had some sage words, but I don’t,” he says. “Well, actually, I do. If you like this girl, Ivan, go after her. Trust me, don’t let anything hold you back from getting what you want because you’ll regret it. Hell, maybe settling down will be good for you for a change.”
Years ago, Ezra let a woman get away. He doesn’t like to admit it, but it took him years to get over her. Now, she’s married with a family of her own. Would she and Ezra have worked out? I don’t know, but we’ll never know. I don’t want that to be me. I don’t want to live with what-ifs.
I nod. “You’re right.”
I hear a faint voice in the background. “I have to go. Paige is calling me.”
“Okay, thanks for the advice.”
“One more piece of advice. A one-night stand is not the answer.”
The line goes dead.
I look at the phone and think about his words. Most of it seems like utter bullshit, but if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s to go after what I want. And nothing is going to stop me from getting it. Cassidy may be my best friend’s daughter, but I will find a way to make her mine and deal with the consequences later.
I pour myself a large mug of coffee from the carafe on the table. Last night was another sleepless night for me. Thoughts of Cassidy plague my mind. The breakfast spread is different from what it usually is. I look around, and Nina is nowhere to be seen. Antonio comes out of the kitchen carrying a platter of eggs and toast.
"Good morning," he says.
"Good morning." I look at the eggs and can already tell they are overcooked. "Where's Nina?"
He sits down at the table. "She had to leave early this morning." He shakes his head. "Her youngest son had to be rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy."
I stand up and walk over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Is he okay?" Nina has worked with Antonio for years, and I know she was a great support after the death of his wife.
Antonio takes a deep breath. "I hope so. I told her to call me as soon as she has news." He looks at the breakfast. "Sorry about the pitiful breakfast. I'm not much of a cook."
I clap him on the back and take my seat. "Don't worry about it. You could have woken me up. My mother is a chef, and I'm an excellent cook."
He shakes his head. "You're my guest." He places some eggs on his plate and grabs a piece of toast. "I'm not going to have you make breakfast for us."
Cassidy enters the dining room. She is wearing a fitted white dress with spaghetti straps and an empire waist. Her auburn hair falls freely around her shoulders and cascades over her back. She is wearing subtle makeup with a soft blush highlighting her cheeks and golden eyeshadow accentuating her eyes.
My breath catches in my throat. Does she have any idea how effortlessly beautiful she is? No matter how much I wish she didn't have a hold on me, her beauty captivates me in an unexplainable way.
She looks at the eggs and toast and asks where Nina is. Antonio explains what happened, and Cassidy gasps.
"He's going to be okay." Antonio is at her side for a moment, and I wish it could be me with my arms around her. "She's going to call us as soon as she has an update."
She sniffles and nods.
