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I refocused on work because, at the end of the day, I needed this job. Leo was a distraction I didn’t need.
* * *
On Friday night, Evie insisted on wearing her nicest dress and asked me to blow-dry and curl her hair. I spent so much time on her, I barely had time to find something to wear myself. I was still getting ready when a knock sounded on the door with a corresponding text from Leo letting me know it was him.
“You can answer it. It’s Leo,” I called to Evie, who unlocked and opened the door. I heard her shriek of joy and Leo’s deep voice, but I stayed in the bathroom, putting on some mascara.
I’d put on a black cocktail dress that I wore to evening weddings. It felt a little weird getting dolled up to go out, and even stranger to be going out with my daughter. At the same time, my heart thudded dangerously in my chest. I liked the anticipation of going out with a man, even if I wasn’t sure where he stood or what any of this meant.
I would enjoy the restaurant, the meal, and the company. And when he told me he was only interested in me as a family friend, I’d have to be okay with it. It was always best to temper expectations. I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
There was no better life out there for me. This was what I’d chosen and where I’d always be. I depended on the Giovannis for everything: my jobs, childcare, and my home.
“You almost ready?” A deep rumble from the doorway to the bathroom briefly startled me.
“Almost,” I said brightly, hoping he’d give me a few minutes to pull myself together. It hurt to remind myself of our situation, but it was necessary. Dreaming about a different life didn’t change anything. It just made the eventual crash that much worse.
“Sei bellisima,” Leo murmured.
The Italian words on his lips heated my body. Desire curled in my belly as I met his gaze in the mirror.
“Thank you,” I said as I set the mascara wand on the counter and turned to face him. He wore black slacks and a crisp white shirt opened at the collar. He was striking.
He stepped closer to me, his hand lifting, hesitating, and then brushing a strand of hair out of my face. “There are no words.Non ho parole.”
“Mommy,” Evie said, coming into the bathroom. “I’m starving.”
I smiled apologetically at Leo. “I wouldn’t let her eat any snacks this afternoon. I didn’t want her to spoil her dinner.”
“We’d better go then.” Leo winked at me, then turned and lifted Evie into his arms. ”I wouldn’t want you to starve.”
Evie giggled. “Put me down.”
“Never!” he cried as he carried her out of the bathroom, giving me a few seconds of much-needed time to myself.
I took a few deep breaths in a vain attempt to calm my racing heart. Leo usually wore a dress shirt and pants when he worked at the restaurant, but this was different. I could smell the faint scent of his aftershave, as if he’d recently showered to go out with me. His shirt and pants were neatly pressed, not rumpled from a long day at work.
I took one more deep breath before smoothing my hands over my skirt, then walked into the hallway. In the foyer, Leo held Evie’s hand as she bent over to slide on her dress shoes. My heart squeezed in my chest at the sight.
Evie deserved to have a father figure in her life. Someone who put her first.
Leo lifted his gaze and met mine over Evie’s head, and something electric passed between us. It felt like he could see through me, see my hopes and dreams, my desire for a man in our lives. He knew how important Evie was to me and what this meant to me. I hoped he wasn’t just playing big brother but was truly interested in us.
I smiled tremulously. “Ready to go?”
Without waiting for an answer, I slipped on the pumps I’d set by the door this afternoon and grabbed my silver purse with the chain I’d splurged on for weddings.
“You look like a princess,” Evie said as she faced me.
“You do too.”
“You both are beautiful.Siete bellissime.” Leo’s deep voice resonated in my chest.
“Thank you.” I loved the compliment, but I enjoyed it even more in Italian.
He opened the door, still holding Evie’s hand. I locked the door and followed them down the steps. There was a red sports car parked at the bottom.
“Is this yours?” I asked Leo when he opened the rear passenger side door.
