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Since I haven’t discussed any of this with my wife yet, I brush off the comment. “I could use someone here full-time to handle the day-to-day with my East Coast clientele.”
“That’s a load of bullshit. A simple confirmation that you’re packing up your place in L.A. is all that I need.”
“No confirmation yet,” I say, even though I’m lining everything up so I can have a future with Gina based here in Manhattan.
He nods. “Have you got a plan worked out for Friday night?”
It’s the same plan I have on the go for tonight. I’ll cook for my wife, and then eat her for dessert. After I’ve thoroughly satisfied her in every way possible, we’ll talk about Dr. Morgan.
There’s no way in hell I can share that plan with my best friend, so I ask a question to answer his. “What’s happening on Friday night?”
“Gina’s surprise birthday party,” he says like I know what the fuck is going on. “You’re the one bringing her to Calvetti’s at eight, right? Marti is planning on closing early for it.”
“What?” I push back from my desk to stand. “Gina’s birthday is Saturday, Dominick. That’s why Isabella has been sending out non-stop emails about the surprise party happening that night.”
He shakes his head. “You neglected to read the last two or three. She switched it to Friday to throw Gina off. She’s worried Gina is on to her.”
I’ve been keeping my wife so busy that I doubt like hell she’s aware that her family is planning a party at all.
“I’ll have her there at eight on Friday night,” I tell him assuredly.
“Don’t tip her off,” he warns with a smile. “Although, Gina’s always dressed as if she’s heading to a party, so no worries there.”
This morning, she was dressed in ripped denim overalls and distressed boots that I recall seeing her in years ago. To top it all off, the smile on her face was the crowning glory of the outfit.
“I can keep a secret, Dominick,” I say with a smirk, because,fuck, can I ever.
“Good.” He rounds my desk to pull me in for a hug.
I’m still not used to his transformation from stoic businessman to loving, smiling-faced groom-to-be, but I’m getting there.
As he steps back from the embrace, he pats my cheek. “You’re my family, Daniel. You know that, right? You’re like a brother to me.”
“I feel the same,” I say to my brother-in-law.
“I’ll get Clay’s contact information to you.” He turns to leave my office. “We need you here, Daniel. We all do. Me, Arietta, Marti, and even Gina. We all love you.”
If the last person on his list does love me, I’m good as gold. I can die a happy man.
CHAPTERFIFTY-ONE
Gina
I walk into my apartment,and I’m instantly greeted with the aroma of something decadent. This time, it’s not my husband’s cologne. It’s food. Someone is cooking something that I can’t wait to indulge in.
“Daniel?” I call out tentatively because Daniel, my sister, and my grandma all have a key to my apartment, and they’re all good cooks.
At least, I think Daniel is a good cook, based on what Dominick used to tell me about the meals he prepared when the two of them shared an apartment.
“In the kitchen!” he calls back. “I’m cooking dinner for you.”
My stomach growls as my heart beats faster.
A man who can cook is a dream come true because until now, I’ve had no interest in learning how to do anything in the kitchen other than make a great cup of coffee. I can’t even really take credit for that since the beans are from Palla on Fifth, and Palla grinds them for me.
I drop my purse on a chair in the living room and head straight to the kitchen.
As soon as I’m standing in the entryway, Daniel glances at me.
