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“Yes, well, she’s contributing to the art show, so I was always going to have to go. I thought about inviting you, actually, but it seems your mother beat me to the punch.”
“Yeah. That’s my mom, always racing to the finish line. She’s already looking forward to our wedding.”
“That’s interesting,” I drawl.
“More like terrifying.” I hear the subtle doubt in her voice.
“Where’s your head at,dolcezza?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just considering everything. We never explicitly stated an end date for our arrangement.”
Her bringing up the fact that our relationship is fake effectively douses my good mood. But it also serves as a reminder not to get carried away. And especially not to spend the entire day thinking about her and the way she felt in my arms.
“I thought we agreed on keeping it up until we both got what we want.”
“We did? Well, what if I’m not sure what I want?”
That’s an interesting question. I’m not sure what she wants, either. This thing she’s doing with me is temporary at best. If we ended things, her parents would one day be handing her yet another willing bachelor with a sizable inheritance. Doing this with me is a short-term solution for her.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
She hums softly.
“At least we have thestupidart show to look forward to,” I say in a dry tone. “I have to go out of town tomorrow and I’ll be gone for a few days.”
“Oh, but you’ll be back in time for the show?”
“Of course. I probably won’t be able to see you until then.”
I’m equal parts relieved and annoyed. Relieved because I’m fairly sure some time apart would do us some good, but a part of me doesn’t want to be away from her. It’s a conundrum. One I have no idea how to work around.
“It’s fine. I’m sure I can survive a few days without seeing your broody face,” she jokes.
“Very funny,” I say dryly. “I have to go, okay? I’m really busy.”
“Sure. I’d better get to bed. I’m exhausted. Good night, Lo.”
My heart warms at her use of my nickname. If it were anyone else, I’d be warning them against it. Only family members and really close friends get to call me that. But Astoria’s not just anyone. Not anymore.
I hang up the call and quickly get in a workout before going back to making some calls. Romano Santos made a move yesterday, and we have reason to believe he may be planning a gang war. Christian has me making calls to every single one of our associates to alert them to the situation. And tomorrow, I have to head to Connecticut to talk to a business partner.
This week is going to be long as fuck.
* * *
I get backin town in time for the art show, but I’ve spent the past fifteen minutes sitting in my car, waiting for Astoria. She finally deems it fit to appear a few minutes later, looking like every man’s dream. Her dark hair is in a bun atop her head with a few curls framing her face, and she’s wearing a black dress that hugs her curves with a slit in front.
When she slides into the passenger seat of the car, the sight of all her exposed skin has me wanting to do something completely inappropriate. Instead, I force my gaze forward and clear my throat.
“What’s your excuse this time,dolcezza? You’re more than fifteen minutes late. And you can’t use the fact that you’re a doctor since you didn’t go in to work today.”
She grins as she looks at me. “The time got away from me.”
I am not amused. I glare at her to convey that and she rolls her eyes.
“I haven’t seen you in days. Don’t be a grump.”
Without another word, I pull out of the driveway of her parents’ home, heading for the large silver gates.
