Chapter 56
“What’s happened?” He frowns.
“Your mother offered Violet Coleman twenty million dollars to leave me.”
“I did not,” she lies. I offered her a nondisclosure contract, there’s a big difference.”
Alessio’s eyes widen. “You’re with Violet Coleman now?”
“No, he’s not. He’s having a mental breakdown, that’s what he’s doing.” Mother snaps, infuriated. “He’s going to patch things up with Ariana…that’s if she will even take him back”
“Get out,” I whisper as a thermonuclear atomic bomb comes dangerously close to blowing up.
“I will not stand by and watch you ruin your life,” she spits.
“Good. You’re not invited to, anyway.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” she cries.
“It means that I want nothing to do with you.” I point to the door. “Get out!”
“You fool,” she fires back. “You’re ruining everything you worked so hard for.”
“I’m warning you. If you dare go near Violet or my children again there will be fucking hell to pay. do you hear me?”
“You do not get to speak to me like this.” She picks up her handbag in a huff and marches front my office and slams the door behind her, the office falls silent.
Alessio begins to pace in a panic. That was way too much.”
Adrenaline is surging through my bloodstream, and I’m positive that the whole building just heard that exchange.
So much for keeping it together and being calm.
Fuck.
12:41
Courted by a FO, ure Ather hovorce
Chapter 56
My phone rings on my desk, the name Ellas lights up the screen.
What now?
“Yes,” I snap as I answer it.
“Hello. Umm…Mr. Ferrara.”
“What is it?”
“I just called to let you know that Violet is having lunch with a man,” he says nervously. “He met her
at her work and he had his arm around her as they walked into the restaurant.”
What?
“Who is it?” I growl.
“I believe it’s the man that you told me to watch. Jack Spalding.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention as a fury like never before runs through my blood. “Go inside and sit at the table next to them.”
“Inside the restaurant?”
I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears.
“Do not leave them alone for one fucking second.”
“You look so beautiful today, do you know that?” Jack smiles over the table. “I love you wearing blue.”
“You said that already.” I give him a lopsided smile. “Thank you, though.”
Jack is the nicest man I know, and, damn it, I really want to like him. He’s fair–haired, blue–eyed and handsome, he’s athletic and has every attribute any woman would want, quite the catch really. We’ve been friends for years and recently started to go out occasionally. I know he likes me in’a romantic way…I mean, he doesn’t hide it.
I keep waiting for the zing to hit me, for something to happen that will magically make me see him in a different light.
So far, no such luck.
Cage 56
But I’m not a quitter, I know he would be a great partner, I just have to get my body to catch up with my head. I’m pushing through this until the attraction comes and surely it has to soon, this is our
fifth date.
“What are you having?” I ask as I open the menu.
“Hmm.” He looks over the choices. T’ll have whatever you’re having.”
I glance up. “You don’t want to choose your own?”
T’m happy to do whatever you do.” He smiles dreamily over me as he leans on his hand.
Ugh..don’t.
“Okay, I’m having a salad.” I slam the menu shut. “And a glass of wine.” “Sounds good.”
We fall into an awkward silence, I’m silent and he’s awkward, but honestly who the hell knows anymore, I’ve lost all sphere of reference as to how I’m supposed to feel on a date anymore.
I look out over the people in the restaurant that are all chatting and laughing, excited to be seeing each other. I feel an overwhelming sense of failure.
What the hell is wrong with me?
For once, can’t I just want someone who is good for me? It’s not all about butterflies and chemistry, and damn it, where is the waitress?
“I planted some beans today.” Jack smiles. “You’re going to love them when they’re ready for picking, it’s a real thrill to get your hands dirty in the garden.”
I smile over at dear old Jack, so sweet and kind although utterly clueless about the kind of thrill I’m looking for. “Do you grow all your own vegetables?” I ask
“Every last one, you can come garden with me on the weekend if you want? I’ll show you how to weed properly.”
Dear god…
M
“I’m pretty swamped this weekend, thanks anyway.” I force a smile as I look around the restaurant. Where is the freaking waitress?
Courted by a Hillionaire After Divorce
Chapter 56
Gabriel arrives on Thursday and we’re telling the kids. Nerves swirl in my stomach at just the
thought.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
I glance up from my daydream. “I beg your pardon?”
“What are you doing this weekend?”
have an old friend visiting.”
“Oh great. I’d love to meet them.”
Gabriel would eat you alive and pick his teeth with your bones.
“Sure.” I fake a smile. “I’ll let you know.”
From the corner of my eye, I see the clock tick over. 2:19 a.m.
I thought my sleepless nights of worrying about Gabriel Ferrara were long over.
And yet, here I am.
Lying in the dark, staring at the ceiling like a zombie, hovering somewhere between heaven and hell
O(2)
C
