Page 38 of The Art of Ruin

“How?”

I think about the way he moved through the kitchen, the way he caught the bowl without looking, the way his voice softened upstairs where he thought no one could hear. “Complicated,” I say finally.

Isabella hums like she hears more than I’m saying. “Be careful, Case.”

“I am. Believe me, I’m still nursing my wounds. The last thing I want is a romantic entanglement, no matter how swoony your brother-in-law is.”

“Good. And for the record, my offer to make Jasper’s weaselly little life a nightmare still stands.”

“Don’t waste your time. He isn’t worth it.”

“No, he isn’t, but you are. Have you heard from him?”

I think of all the unread texts on my phone and all the calls I’ve ignored and sigh. “He texts and calls a few times a day, but I ignore them.”

“You need to block his ass.”

“I know, but I’m worried if I do that, he’ll turn up. Jasper is very determined when he wants something. I’ve gone from being the safe little girlfriend on the side to someone he wants but can’t have. I don’t want to cause problems for Adriano.”

Isabella snorts. “Please. Adriano would eat him for breakfast, and you know it.”

“I do, but I don’t want him to know. This is my job, and I want to keep my disaster of a personal life out of it.”

“Okay, fair enough, but if he continues, then I’m sending Rossi after him and maybe a few of Nico’s men.”

“Izz, stop. I don’t want Nico involved. Jasper could cause problems for ISM. He has a lot of power and influence.”

“Maybe in L.A., but this is New York and our sharks have sharper teeth. Especially mine.”

“Be that as it may, let me handle this.”

“Fine… for now.”

It’s as good as I’m going to get for now. I just have to be careful what I say to Izz. She’s protective of those she loves, and I don’t want my drama landing on her doorstep.

“Now, back to Adriano. Does he sleep in a suit? Because I’m convinced he does.”

I look toward the door, toward the house beyond it, toward the life I’ve stepped into, whether I’m ready or not. “I’m not here for anything except the job,” I say, more to myself than to her. “So I have no clue how he sleeps. I’m on a male hiatus.”

“I know.”

But her voice carries just enough doubt to make something in my chest tighten again.

We talk a little longer, easier things, familiar things, until the edges of the day soften enough that I can breathe without thinking about it.

When I hang up, the room feels quieter again.

But not empty, not like before.

I set my phone aside and lie back, staring at the ceiling, letting the day settle into place. I head to my small kitchen, check the fridge, and find everything I need to make grilled cheese. Comfort at its finest. As I settle on my comfy couch and let the gooey cheese dribble down my chin, I reflect on my day and my conversation with Isabella.

This is a good job, a safe place. It’s the clean start I need to get my head straight and figure out my next moves. I love beinga nanny, but seeing my traitorous ex with his baby also made me realize I want a family, and this job doesn’t fit with that. I’m almost twenty-seven, and I need a plan, but for now I have a safety net.

That’s all this is.

That’s all it’s going to be. This is not my forever. It’s my for now, and a pang lands in my chest.

I close my eyes before I can question that too closely.