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“No!” I say a little too quickly. “No, I mean, I really have to go. You know?”
She rolls her eyes. “You ate the shrimp, didn’t you? Babe, I told you, it’s been sitting out for hours.”
“You know I can’t resist a pink sea creature.”
“Just hurry up. I’ll stall the mafia squad while you take care of business.”
“Thanks. Love you!” I hurry off, away from the crowd, waving at a couple of people who try to greet me. I can’t believe I just used potential food poisoning as an excuse, but it’s only Sophia. I’m at the point where basically nothing embarrasses me with her anymore.
I head down the hall toward the bathroom then pause outside the unmarked door on the left.
I don’t know where it leads. But I know Gian’s going to be there soon. I’m not ready for this conversation, but if I ever want closure before he ghosts me and fucks off back to Vegas, this is probably my best shot.
I look back at the crowd. My future husband is in there somewhere. Saul, a decent enough guy. Not my dream. Far from ideal. But serviceable. The sort of match a girl like me is supposed to want. The total opposite of Gian.
I turn the knob and hurry down a dark hallway.
Chapter 6
Gian
This is beyond fucked. It’s my own brother’s engagement party, and I’m meeting with his fiancée in a dark, empty office, far from everyone else. I pace back and forth behind the desk, ignoring the photographs of a bald man and his average wife and their three boring-looking kids. Union Boss Dan Fanelli, a real piece of shit. Thanks for the office, Dan.
I don’t think she’ll show. If she was smart, she’d stay the fuck away, and I wouldn’t blame her. It’d even be a relief, not having to face her again, not having to look her in the eye and talk and keep my hands from pulling her against me the way I desperately want to.
I stopped that ten years ago for a reason, and I can’t start it again.
But I’m pretty sure this is going to break me.
The door rattles. I hesitate, afraid that it’s going to be Don Rinaldo, worried that instead of showing up, Allegra decided to tell her father what I wanted her to do.
And part of me hopes she did. That would put an end to this and I can start sleeping at night. I’ll leave Philly, fly back to Vegas, and try to bury these ghosts the best I can.
Instead, the door opens, and she steps through.
Fucking hell.
Allegra is gorgeous. I can’t stop my heart from racing. I can’t suppress the thrill I feel in my guts. She steps forward, chewing on her lip the way she does when she’s nervous. I’ve thought about our time together endlessly in the time since, replayed every moment, every kiss, every touch. I’ve seen the look in her eyes a thousand times. Part fear, part need, part hurt.
I wish she hadn’t come, and I’m so fucking happy she did.
“Hey,” she says. “I’m here.”
“You’re here.” I don’t move. If I get closer, I’m afraid I’ll do something stupid. She’s wearing another dress, this one a deep burgundy, with a modest neckline and a skirt that hugs her hips. “I’m happy you came.”
“Are you? Because you’re looking at me like I’m the most disgusting thing in the world.”
I grimace and shake my head. “Not at all.”
“If you think you aged gracefully, let me tell you something.” A glimmer of a smile.
“We both know I’ve only gotten more handsome.” I run a hand over my stubble-covered cheeks. “No more baby fat.”
“Not that you ever had any.”
“How are you, Allegra?”
She considers my question. I hate this and I love it. I’m breaking all my rules and fucking myself for a very long time, but being here in this room with her, even with a desk keeping us separate, feels better than anything has in years.
