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I didn’t know what had come over me. I had never been so attracted to somebody before. I guess seeing Furio, a spoon-fed billionaire heir who didn’t have to work a day in his life, donating a metric fuck-ton of money to a cancer charity really ticked off a lot of boxes for me.
I had neglected to bring a change of clothes with me, so I had to leave the hotel early the next morning. Furio tried to get up and accompany me downstairs, because he said it was the gentlemanly thing to do, but I put a hand on his chest and insisted he relax.
“You’ve done enough,” I said, kissing him goodbye. The Uber driver gave me a long look of judgment, probably because I was doing the stereotypical walk of shame in last night’s dress, but I was too happy to give a shit.
Let him judge, I thought.I have everything I could ever want in life.
The sun was just coming up by the time I got home. Michelle was eating breakfast in the kitchen while watching a makeup tutorial video on her phone. She paused it when I walked inside.
“How was last night,your majesty?”She got up and hastily gave what looked like a curtsy in her sweatpants.
“Stop it, Shelly,” I said. “It’s not that big a deal.”
She gave me a hug, then returned to her bowl of cereal. “You know whatisa big deal? Donating a bajillion dollars to a cancer charity in dad’s name!”
I blinked. “You knew about that?”
“I might have spent some time last night Googling your Italian Romeo,” she said, smiling. “The donation was on the news page.”
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? Fifty million dollars donated to a cancer charity. And not one of those awareness charities, either. One that actually fundsresearch!”
“Are you actuallyswooningright now?” she asked.
“Of course I am!” I grabbed an energy drink out of the fridge. The top hissed as I opened it. “I’m surprised you’re not as excited about it as I am.”
“I am,” she said carefully. “Last night I couldn’t believe it. It’s amazing, Amber, it really is.”
“But…?”
“But, are you sure he’s donating for the right reason? Doesn’t it take away from the purity of it if he’s making a grand gesture to win your heart?”
“I spent all night wrapping my head around that exact question,” I admitted. “Yeah, he’s trying to win me over. And it’s working. But who cares? A good deed should still be appreciated, even if it wasn’t done for entirely altruistic reasons.”
“I know, and I agree,” she said. She sounded like she was analyzing one of her finance textbooks. “But is that what you want? Someone who throws their money around in big gestures?”
“If Furio werejustthat, a hollow man who made these gestures, then I would agree with your point,” I admitted. “But he’s not just that. He’s sweet, and loving, andsuper duper insanely hot. He’s the whole package.”
“I’m sure you appreciate hiswhole package.”
I hefted my energy drink like I was going to chuck it at her. She laughed, and then shook her head.
“You spent your life taking care of me, big sis. Especially these last few years since…” She trailed off. “I’m just trying to return the favor and look out for you.”
I went over and hugged her again. “I appreciate that you’re looking out for me. And I hear you, I do. I promise I won’t make my choice for the wrong reasons.”
“Youaregoing to have to make a choice eventually, right?” she asked. “You can’t keep dating all three of them forever.”
“I know,” I said, but it felt like a lie as I said it.
I showered, changed clothes, and went to the office. Despite the early hour, it was a beehive of activity already. I was greeted by everyone I passed, friendly hellos and polite comments. It was strange beingthe boss. I wasn’t at the top, obviously, but I was damn near close to it.
I looked down at my jeans and sweatshirt.Maybe I ought to start dressing the part.Michelle would really start making fun of me, then.
The workday was full of meetings and passed quickly. I gave Jude a suggestive lick of my lips when I passed his office, and his freckled face lit up like I had made his day. Owen was in his office with the door closed for most of the afternoon, and I didn’t see him until he swung by my door around four.
“I’m taking you to the Warriors game tonight,” he said. A statement rather than a request. “To talk about your future with the company.” He punctuated it with a wink.
“Absolutely,” I agreed. “To discuss my future.”
