Page 38 of Dante

I pull in a breath, but I’m pretty sure he’s teasing.

“Now let’s continue our promenade,” he says.

As we move forward, I sneak a wistful glance back at the couple reunited with their puppy. Maybe one day Dante will change his mind.

CHAPTER 14

GINA

At twelve noon on Monday, I’m just about to leave for my appointment with Antoine when Angie texts me: Gina, I’m downstairs. You’re almost late for your shopping trip.

I type a quick response. How did you know about that?!

Angie: Come down already.

I take a deep breath and reply. Dante won’t like this. He disliked the dress you chose at that Soho salon. He hired Antoine because he wanted me to have “a more proper image.”

Angie: No worries, I won’t say a word.

I meet Angie in the lobby, and we flag down a cab because Thomas is “on a job,” according to Dante.

Twenty minutes later, we arrive in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. This close to Christmas, the street’s a riot of noise and color.

Two men in Santa suits walk arm in arm. On my right, a Salvation Army worker in another Santa suit sings a rap version of “Frosty the Snowman” while he rings his bell.

Angie makes quick work of pulling me through the crowd of people lined three deep in front of the store’s display windows.

“What are they trying to see?” I ask, craning my neck at the crowd.

Angie rolls her eyes. “The Christmas display. It’s pretty elaborate. Big draw to the city.”

I’m grateful when Angie pushes open the enormous doors and we enter the store. “Dante said to meet him on the seventh floor...”

“I know exactly where to go,” she says, leading me to the elevator. “You’re so lucky to have Antoine,” she adds, giving me his resume as we ascend.

“How do you know so much about him?”

She shrugs. “He dresses all the ladies in the Ricci family. The ones married to the big guys, at least. My aunties usually take me on their rendezvous with them.”

“Aunties? Siblings of your parents?”

“Not that close. More like distant relatives.”

“If you have no real connection to them, why bother accompanying them? Sounds boring to me.”

“Oh, it is. But they like having me around. I’m family, even if it’s distant family. And they need someone to listen to them complain about their husbands.”

The door opens before I can ask any more. I immediately spot a tall, very handsome man in a Fedora standing near a sign that says Private Services. Angie rushes over to him.

“Angie, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Couldn’t resist another chance to see you in action. Antoine LaRue, I’d like you to meet my new cousin, Mrs. Ricci. Cousin Gina, this is Antoine.”

“So nice to meet you, Mr. LaRue,” I say.

“Enchanté,” Antoine says, kissing my hand in the continental fashion. “Please address me as Antoine.”

“Then please call me Gina.”