Page 35 of Cocky Brutal Sinner

Worse than that, she seems…interesting. Talented, lovely, and sweet. If I met her anywhere else, I’d want to know more about her. Maybe even be friends.

Alessandra smiles, looking satisfied. Her set up has gone exactly according to plan. Pleased, she turns her attention to my half of the table, her eyes settling on Eden. “I don’t think we’ve met,” Alessandra says.

Eden extends a hand. “I’m Eden. I’m an old friend of Brinley’s.”

She gestures to me, and Alessandra’s eyes finally land on me.

“I remember Brinley. You’re Luke’s sister. You own a coffeeshop, yes?” Alessandra asks me. Instinctively, I straighten my shoulders. Even though this whole night has been a disaster, I still can’t shake that unavoidable hope. Please, let my boyfriend’s mom like me.

“A café,” I say, at the same time that Eden says, “A bookshop.”

Alessandra’s eyes dart between us. “Which one?”

“Both. It’s a bookshop with a small café in the back,” I explain.

“How nice. I’m sure it’s very cute,” Alessandra says, before pivoting to look over at Giulia. “Beau, tesoro, did you tell Giulia about the imported wines you were adding to the menu?”

That’s it. I’m dismissed with just a few words, the girl who runs the cute little bookshop. Not a serious person. Not someone Alessandra would ever imagine being paired with her son. I might as well be invisible.

My eyes burn, tears threatening to make a humiliating appearance. Because I’ve been here before. I know exactly what it feels like to stand in a room full of people who’ve decided I don’t matter, who look right through me like I’m furniture, or a punchline, or nothing at all. I learned that lesson from this exact group of men, years ago. The pain has scarred over by now, but it won’t ever be gone—not really.

My phone buzzes, and I quickly open it under the table. As I expected, it’s from “Kathy.”

Beau

I’m so sorry. I had no idea they were coming.

A stone drops in my stomach. That means he’s not surprised by Giulia’s existence, just the timing of her showing up now, when I’d be in attendance. He could have at least warned me.

Brinley

You mean you knew you’d be Shanghaied by a sexy Italian at some point.

Beau

Is she sexy? I didn’t notice.

Brinley

Of course you did. Every man in a square mile of her went AWOOGA when she brushed her hair back over her shoulders.

Beau

I only have eyes for you, Brinley baby. You know that.

Brinley

So, how long has your mother been trying to set you up with this woman? Or were you betrothed from birth?

“Who are you texting?” Pippa asks, leaning over next to me.

My heart rate instantly doubles as I flip my phone face-down. Shit, did she see anything incriminating? Did her reporter’s nose for a story tell her I’m hiding something?

“My supplier,” I say, as smoothly as I can. “Inventory thing.”

“What’s the point of running your own business if you can’t take a night off work?” Ryan asks.

“Independence,” Pippa says. “Not having to get bossed around by anyone.”