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“You okay?” Sophia’s standing in the entrance to the hall, watching me.
I glance over and shrug. “Yeah, I’m fine. That was Michael.”
“Did he offer you your job back?”
“Sure did.”
“And what did you say?”
“What do you think I said?” I blink back tears. “Come on. You know I can’t work anymore.”
“Oh, babe.” She walks over and hugs me tight as I start crying. “I’m so, so sorry. I know that place meant a lot to you.”
“It’s not even that,” I say, hugging her back and feeling like all my bones are in the process of breaking one by one. “It’s more that I’m finished, you know? The options are all gone. I’m marrying Saul Rossi and that’s it. I’ll be a Rossi forever.”
“It could be good, right? You’ll have kids. That’ll be amazing. And you’ll be a part of a powerful and important family, right at the heart of it all. Maya and Chiara would literally murder to be in your position.” Sophia doesn’t add that she’d probably strangle one of the homeless people I’m always trying to help if it meant bagging a Rossi brother.
“You’re right.” I rub my eyes and take a deep breath. “God, I’m a mess. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t do this.”
“It’s okay. You’re getting married to a stranger in a few weeks. I’d be freaking out too.”
“Would you though?”
“Eh, probably not. You know me. I love a good ceremony.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “Can you tell Chiara and Maya that I don’t feel good? Make up some excuse. I don’t want them to see me like this.”
“Sure, I can do that, but they get it too.”
“I know they do. I’m just embarrassed and feeling stupid.”
Sophia hugs me tighter. “Don’t worry. You’ll always have me here to cover for you, even if your last name is Rossi.”
I sob again and that only makes Sophia apologize a thousand times, but it isn’t her fault. The thought of losing my name, the reality of what’s going to happen, it kills me.
I’ll never work for Michael again. No more nonprofit. No more charities, no more dreams. Just like Gian said.
I don’t even know if Saul will let me volunteer.
Which is horrible to think about—I’ll need the permission of my freaking husband to doanything.
I head up to my room while Sophia goes to make excuses for me. She’s amazing and I don’t deserve her. I promise myself that I’ll pick whatever dress she wants, just to make her happy, even if it’s that ugly mermaid thing.
But when I’m alone with my door shut and locked, I sit on my bed cross-legged and scroll through my phone’s contacts until I find his name. Gian’s still in there, still underSexy Cheater, a reference to our first meeting. I chew my lip as I pick his name and open up a text screen. Our old messages are all long gone. I’m thankful for that.
My hands are shaking as I type.
Me: Tell me right now. Did you mean what you said at my engagement party?
He responds two minutes later when I’m curled up under the covers, fairly certain I just made a horrible mistake.
It’s still him. Still his same number from all those years ago. And the reply makes me want to scream.
Gian: I meant every word. The offer stands.
Chapter 9
Gian
