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“Did Kenji pay you to work at his pop-up?”
“I kept my tips.”
He gave my hair a gentle tug. “I won’t allow you to sacrifice yourself any longer, Saoirse. I know that’s your whole vibe, but—”
“What are you talking about? That’s not my vibe.”
The look he leveled me with saidget real. “The first time I met you, you’d purposely spilled your drink on yourself to allow a woman who wasn’t even your friend to be the center of attention. Don’t tell me it’s not your vibe.”
“I wouldn’t call it a vibe…” But he wasn’t wrong. “Anyway, you’re lucky I’m the way I am since you’re benefiting from it.”
His chest made a rumbling sound. “I hope you’ve found it’s worth it.”
“The orgasms more than make up for having you as a ball and chain.”
This time, the tug was less than gentle. “I’m serious, Saoirse. Recognize your worth. You have valuable knowledge Kenji and the rest of the people have taken advantage of when they should be paying for it.”
“And they will. That’s why Miles is my partner. He’ll be the one to discuss money since I’m apparently incapable of it.”
“You’re capable of anything.”
I sucked in a sharp gasp. The confidence in his low tone settled in my chest.
Luca believed in me.
He really, truly believed in me.
“I’m terrified, Luca.”
“You have no reason to be.”
“I don’t?” I sputtered a laugh. “I have been thinking about doing something like this for years. And now that I am, I wonder who the hell I think I am to have the audacity to believe I can. I can’t even imagine telling my mother about any of this. I can almost hear her reaction now.”
“Her reaction doesn’t matter. You’re Saoirse Rossi.”
My nose scrunched while my stomach whooshed. “I like when you call me that.”
“Mmm.” He wrapped my hair around his finger. “Listen to me, pretty girl. You grew up with the Kelly name and all the expectations that came with it. But the thing is, you’ll never be your mother’s image. She’s got Peter to take up that mantle. You won’t be your father’s image either. Lock has that taken care of.”
“Yeah,” I whispered.
“You’re Saoirse Rossi now. You get to start anew and be the womanyouwant to be. There are no expectations, no pressure. It’s up to you to shape your path. I want you to know I’m fucking proud of you. I admire the strength it takes to strike out on your own. You might be scared, but I’ve got your back, so there’s no need for you to fear.”
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from crying. Luca was being sweet and freaking wonderful. I didn’t want to make him regret it by bursting into tears.
“I think that was exactly what I needed to hear.” I shifted to sit sideways so I could brush his hair from his forehead and drop my hand to cup his jaw. “I have your back too, you know. You can lay your shitty days on me, or rant, or whatever you need. I want to be that for you too.”
He leaned his face into my palm and slowly exhaled. “I could get used to you way too easily.”
“I’m not going away, even when this is over.” My stomach twisted at the thought. “So get used to me.”
“Don’t think I have a choice.” His intense gaze locked on mine. “I’m going to draw you now. Are you up for sitting still for me?”
“I’m not one to be still.” I stroked my fingers along the rough stubble on his cheek. “But for you, I’ll try.”
“That’s all I ask.”
The next night, Luca came home and invited me down to his studio with him. Even though we had been able to spend our lunch at the Davenport, he still wanted to hang out.
