“I met Billy and Antonio before. They seem a bit pompous or stuck up at first but then they loosened up. Definitely trust issues there. But you got the first three to break down those walls. I wonder what will get the fourth brother to cave in?” Eliza Grace asked as she stared at Missy Ann.
“I don’t even know if I’m really ready for this type of relationship,” Missy Ann said and then exhaled.
“What do you mean not ready? You’ve held out for a long time. Months ago you thought that Salvatore and Finn were around you because they felt bad for you. Then they introduce you to their brothers, which sounded like a pretty big deal. Did you like it when Billy kissed you?”
Missy Ann didn’t reply right away. She was in denial.
“He caught me off guard.”
“It sounded like he didn’t plan it either and it happened. Nothing was forced. If it were forced, don’t you think Antonio would have kissed you by now? You’ve been working there for two weeks.”
“He’s had some opportunities, but I’m telling you, Eliza Grace, he doesn’t feel the same feelings for me his brothers do. I’m not going to get in the way of their relationship as siblings. It will lead to disaster and I think I’ve engaged in enough disaster already.”
“Hmm…maybe there’s more to him holding back. I wonder if my guys know or maybe Kenneth might know. He’s known Antonio for years and has even worked for him with legal stuff.”
“Well, don’t go asking. I don’t need to add to the man’s arsenal against me.”
“Arsenal? You haven’t done anything wrong for the man to dislike you.”
“Well, it’s the way I catch him watching me. I feel guilty or something. Like last night, I was talking with two of the bartenders Salvatore and I just hired and the one guy is kind of flirty, totally good looking, but personable. The ladies are going to love him behind the bar serving drinks. Well, he placed his hand on my shoulder and then flirted a little. No big deal. Like I said, it’s his personality and then I shake my head at him and laugh. When I turned my head, there was Antonio, watching me in a dead stare. I raised my hand to give a little wave and sure enough, the jerk turned away from me as if I wasn’t even important. It was so frustrating.”
“Maybe he was jealous?”
“Distrustful, assuming, angry all the time, those are the words that come to mind.”
“Maybe you should be careful when you’re alone with him.”
Missy Ann swallowed hard. “I don’t think he would hurt me. Do you think he could be completely different than his brothers? Maybe he already sees me as a threat to their relationship? You know, not all ménage relationships work out.”
“I know some fail, but usually those were started for the wrong reasons. It’s not just about the sex.”
“Oh God,” Missy Ann said and covered her face with her hands. Eliza Grace chuckled.
“Hey, don’t be scared of that part. When the time is right you’ll know it. Look how long I held out, and believe me it was so worth it. You have to know it’s right and that you love them, otherwise there’s room for disaster as you like to refer to it.”
Missy Ann nodded her head then leaned back in the massage chair as her nails dried. She had a lot to think about. She didn’t, couldn’t understand why Antonio didn’t like her, at all.
* * * *
“What is she doing talking to him?” Antonio asked Billy. They were standing by the bar finalizing a list of lighting fixtures for the restaurant in the bathrooms. Missy Ann was talking to the beer guys from one of the local breweries. Teddy was young, like Missy Ann, and he was definitely flirting with her. His partner, Murry, was standing close to her and then he placed his hand on her hip as they looked at the clipboard. Antonio watched her step from his hold but in a way that didn’t get the message across that she didn’t want him touching her. He watched the whole thing take place and then Murry licked his lips and watched her.
He had enough as he handed the clipboard to Salvatore and headed over toward Missy Ann, Teddy, and Murry.
“Hey, Antonio, how is it going?” Teddy asked and Antonio gave the guy a dirty look.
“What’s going on? Did you decide on a selection of beers yet?” he asked and gave Missy Ann the once-over. The pale white blouse she wore with her black slim fitting dress pants was practically see through. It appeared she wore a white camisole over it but he could make out the deep cleavage of her breasts. She hid her figure well.
“I think we have about twelve to really consider. But I was explaining to Teddy and Murry that you and Salvatore have the final say on the number of selections. I think it’s best if we choose four for now and then see how our clientele respond. The last thing we need is beer to sit around and spoil. You have to be careful with microbrewery beer,” Missy Ann said.
Murry took her hand and brought it against his chest. “But Teddy and I were trying to explain that if she gave us this opportunity we could prove that all the beers would be your best sellers.”
She shook her head and pulled her hand away from Murry.
“Well, that’s not Missy Ann’s decision to make. She’s a manager, not an owner,” Antonio stated firmly and then felt guilty as it seemed his comment came across as an insult against her instead of a warning to back off to Murry and Teddy.
“Well then, I guess we’ll leave the samples with you guys to take your time and test. We appreciate the opportunity to sell our beer at your new restaurant,” Murry said and then looked at Missy Ann with a sympathetic smile. “I’ll be in touch to find out what your bosses think. Then maybe you’ll say yes to a date with us,” Murry said and winked then Teddy gave her a wink and they took their stuff and left.
So they even asked her out and she didn’t say yes. Why?