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Tension tightens her face. ¨Who told you that?¨
I shrug as I don’t want to put anyone in bad relations with any Costa family member.
¨ Doesn’t matter. Listen, I know the last thing you want to do is stand here on a fun night and talk to your ex, but…if you have a moment tomorrow morning, I’d love to take you to breakfast or brunch, depending on when you get up so —¨
¨You want to take me on a date, Alex? Did you lose your fucking mind?¨
Her breathing becomes erratic, as I remember she’s sometimes suffered from anxiety issues.
¨No. A business meeting. Strictly business. I have a couple things I’d love to talk to you about. Trust me, it’ll benefit your studio. Look, I’m trying to do good here.¨ I even prove it by drinking my mineral water in front of her.
She scans me over, which I hope reignites a sexy memory of me. Being this close to her, I can’t help but remember little moments. I have to pocket it as I master this thing called Professionalism. It’s not too hard for me but throw a dark southern Sicilian beauty in the mix, whom I used to love, and I will be working out resistant muscles I haven’t worked out yet. This is a part of the plan. This is howIget better, and success is the only thing I’m in love with.
¨Really, Alex Masters?¨
¨ I’ve grown exceptionally well since I’ve been around you. I’m not here to break hearts or…¨
¨What time? And where tomorrow?¨
Her eyes reflect sincerity as they hold mine in gridlock, warning me what she’s capable of. All she has to do is call one of her egomaniac brothers, and my ass is grass.
¨ Let’s do eleven. I’ll have a car pick you up and take you to Ash Tea House.¨
¨I know you owe me. So I will be there. All ears.¨
¨Are you still in Manhattan?¨
¨No…I live above my art studio.¨
¨Really? How does it feel being so connected to your career?¨
¨ I’m sure you can tell me all about it. After all, you’ve had to change your name to advance yours.¨
She’s still smarter than I’ve given her credit for. And drop-dead gorgeous. I have to be careful with this one.
“I’ll see you then. Benjamin drives a teal Porsche and wears a man bun. He’ll be there ten minutes early with his hazard lights on.”
I lean closer to her. Our bodies are so close I can feel the heat emanating from her. Heavy with an absence of lust, it’s mostly hostility as it pinches at my sides. She’ll suffocate me if I stand this close for too long. ¨Till then.¨
Pulling back, she confirms with a stale, ¨Yup. See you then.¨
Chapter 3
MICOLA
I’mnotsurewhyI’m opening this door again, but it can only be the deep knowing that Alex fucking owes me.
The Matanis are a fuzzy bunch from Messina, Sicily, with a wild past of dipping their heads in the business of others. They also have a history of bringing shame to each other and knowing Alex, his reputation is everything. He will literally do whatever it takes to disassociate himself from shame and crime, hence his last name change. As much as I hate our past, I know he’s not a fan of crime life. He’s not like my brothers in this way; he’s a lot like me. We happen to be born into these families; this would never be our choice. Besides art, at least we have something else in common I can lean against as I’ll be sitting across the table from him.
Benjamin, Alex’s driver, is quiet. He plays classical music as I stare at Saturday morning traffic out the window. It would be easier for me to have hopped the subway, but I would rather use the luxuries Alex is offering for the moment.
Last night didn’t end up as the blur I was afraid it would be after the drink from Alex. Stella and I entertained the pair of married men with bar banter only before we ditched them to go salsa dancing. I was in bed by one-thirty, and I committed to only four drinks which was a success. Now, I’m in a long flowy gray summer dress that doesn’t demand any attention. Intentionally, I look rather plain; I need this meeting to be pure business. I’m confident it will be. And, once again, I am only doing this because Alex owes me. So desperately.
Walking into Ash Tea House is like stepping into a doll’s dream house. It looks nothing like one, but it makes me move with tenderness, careful not to knock anything down. The colors are all pastel with hints of gray and the irony…I was hoping not to stick out, but my dress compliments the colors and the fabric of the dainty tablecloths. Great. I look like I belong here.
Alex is seated with a newspaper in his hand. He looks posh with one leg propped up on his opposing knee. With furrowed eyebrows, he’s clearly engrossed in whatever he’s reading. The meek voice hostess extends her hand out at Alexander’s table, motioning me where to sit. I thank her, and as I set my purse on the table, Alex lifts his eyes up with a wily smile.
¨You never fail at being beautiful.¨
