40. Niccolò
40
NICCOLò
L iana opens the back door to let us back into her store. “You came back just in time,” she says, hurrying us inside.
“Is everything okay?” Isabella asks, her eyes wide in alert.
Pushing us down the hall, back toward her office, she says, “I’ve been watching Gianni on the security camera, and he’s getting antsy. He’s been walking around the boutique looking around like he’s expecting to find someone lurking that shouldn’t be.”
“Great,” Isabella mutters.
“I think you should go out on the floor and make an appearance. He’s walking around like he’s some security guard—which, I guess he is—but he’s scaring off my customers. He’s starting to get suspicious.”
“Yeah, absolutely. I’ll go do that,” Isabella says.
“Just go out there, settle the beast, and that should buy you and Nicco another hour or so.”
Isabella glances at me with a nervous look in her eye and says, “Unless you have somewhere else to be?”
“Not at all,” I say. “We need to finish what we were talking about earlier.”
Isabella’s and my conversation was cut short when Liana called about Gianni. We figured it was best to get back before the guy smartened up and started looking for Isabella.
“I’ll be right back,” she says before darting out the door.
As soon as it shuts, Liana’s heated gaze is on mine. “What did you do?” she snaps.
“Why do you assume I did something?” I ask her nonchalantly.
“Oh, do not play coy with me, Niccolò Silvestri.” She points toward the door. “You did something to her. I can feel the energy shift between the two of you. What happened?”
Knowing I have no reason to hide this, I say, “She’s worried we can never be together due to the history between our families.”
Liana is silent, then gives me a few short nods. “That does make sense.” Her accusatory behavior seems to simmer down at my reasonable explanation. “Well?” she says.
“Well, what?”
Liana props one hand on her hip and uses her other hand for theatrics, holding it up at me while she says, “What did you tell her? Clearly not the right thing, or else she would’ve come back here happy.”
“Relax, Liana. You think after three years away from my girl I wouldn’t have a plan when I came back here?”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she raises a brow at me. “A plan.”
I give her a cocky smirk. “Of course, a plan .”
“Well, don’t be shy, Nicco. Share it with the room.”
“I haven’t even told Isabella my plan yet. What makes you think I’m going to tell you?”
“I’m nosy, Nicco.”
“I know that, Liana,” I say, and I can’t help but laugh.
Liana and I got close when Isabella and I started dating. I used to kind of see her as a little sister. The way we used to go back and forth with each other like this really showcased that part of our relationship. This is the first time in years we’ve fallen back into the playful role with one another. It feels like I’m starting to get the life I used to have back.
“You’re infuriating,” she says, narrowing her gaze on me.
“I’m sure Isabella will tell you as soon as I tell her.”
“Obviously, which is why you should just tell me now.”
Before I can slide another word into this argument, the office door opens and Isabella’s beautiful face pops in. “Okay, Gianni’s handled.” She glances at me before darting her gaze back to her cousin’s. “We should be okay for a bit.”
“Great,” Liana says, clasping her hands together. “Now that you’re back, I guess I’ll just go and continue playing with some fabric.” She walks up to Isabella and gives her forearm a light squeeze before whispering, “Make that boy talk, and then fill me in on everything later.” As if I can’t hear her.
Isabella gives her a small nod before turning her attention back to me.
“So,” she says, gesturing to the couch, “should we sit?”
We each take a seat on the soft ivory cushions, angling our bodies so we’re facing each other.
“You wanted to finish the conversation we were having earlier…”
“I did… I do,” I correct. “Look, Isabella, I know what my dad did to you and your family is unforgivable. He deserves everything that he has coming to him.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“What I mean is, while I was in Sicily, I came up with a plan for when I’d be back. It’s the only way I knew you and I could be together, and it’s finally coming to a head.”