Chapter Five #2
“Hmm. That’s strange.”
“What is?” I ask.
“There’s almost nothing about him online.”
“How is that possible?” I lean closer. “Everything is on Google.”
“Apparently not Gualtiero De Marco.” She turns the phone so I can see. “It just says he’s the CEO of the De Marco Corporation, headquartered in Catania. That’s it. Even his company website is vague.”
“What does the company do?”
“A bit of everything. Venture capital, cybersecurity. They also own hotels and nightclubs.”
I wrinkle my nose. “That’s an odd mix. And nothing about his personal life?”
“Nothing,” Rhia says.
The word lands heavier than it should.
“That’s… strange,” I murmur. I’d expected to see his arm linked with a revolving door of beautiful women.
“He might be intensely private,” she offers lightly. “That would actually suit you, wouldn’t it?”
“What does that have to do with anything?” I scoff. “It’s not like I’m dating the man.”
“Yet,” Rhia says, grinning.
I roll my eyes.
She slips her phone away and leans closer.
“I saw the way he looked at you. And the way you looked back. The air was practically crackling. Don’t even try to deny it.”
I open my mouth to protest, but she barrels on.
“There’s something there, El. I can tell. I recognize it these days.”
She sighs dramatically.
“And to think I was just across the street when you saved that sinfully hot man’s life. I’ll never forgive myself for missing the moment my best friend’s life changed forever.”
God, she really is dramatic.
“Just imagine,” she continues dreamily, “years from now, when you’re married to Signor De Marco with half a dozen bambinos, you’ll look back on today and thank me for accepting his dinner invitation. The beginning of a great love story.”
I stare at her. “You’ve officially lost it,” I mutter. “And I thought I had an overactive imagination. This isn’t a Hallmark movie, Rhi.”
She ignores me completely. “I wonder where I’ll be living.”
“Wherever I am,” I say automatically. “You’re stuck with me for eternity. You’d better live nearby.”
“That goes without saying.” She brightens. “I’m sure Lex would like Sicily.”
She picks up her phone and starts typing, far too pleased with herself.
“What are you doing?” I ask warily.
“Texting Lex.”
“Why?”
Instead of answering, she turns the screen toward me.
Rhia: Would you move to Sicily with me?
“Whoa. Hold it right there.” I tilt my head back and appeal silently to the sky.
“Seriously, Rhi. What’s gotten into you?” I say. “I just poured my heart out about my concerns, and you’re already riding off into the sunset.”
“El, I’ve never seen you react like this to anyone,” she counters gently. “And that includes your exes. Gualtiero is completely taken with you. Why wouldn’t I dream big?”
She leans closer. “Why aren’t you more excited? An outrageously handsome man wants you. You’ve admitted you’re attracted to him too. What’s holding you back? What are you actually afraid of?”
“Rhia, come on.” I shake my head. “You’re usually more realistic than this. We live in different places. We come from different cultures. At best, this would be a vacation fling. A tryst. An escapade. And I don’t do those.”
“Do I need to remind you that my happily ever after started as a vacation escapade?” she shoots back. “If something’s meant to be, there’s always a way.”
“Your situation was different. Lex has a job that lets him live wherever he wants.”
“You’re not chained to Dublin either,” she says. “You can train dogs anywhere.”
“Yes, but my life is there,” I argue. “And Knox wouldn’t cope with the heat.”
My Highland bull, the absurd prize I won in a speed-stacking competition on our Scotland trip, is basically an oversized puppy these days. He lives at Rhia’s parents’ place, and despite his menacing horns, he’s all affection.
“More importantly,” I add, “you’re there. And you can’t just uproot your company.”
She waves that away. “I can create campaigns from anywhere. Think big, El. I can expand. Open subsidiaries.” She rubs her hands together, delighted with herself.
God, she really is on a mission.
“You need to come back to earth,” I tell her. “I met the man less than half an hour ago, and I already feel in over my head. It’s way too soon to talk about moving countries and business expansions.”
I hesitate, then add more quietly, “If… and that’s a big if… I even go to dinner with him tomorrow, he could turn out to be a complete jerk. Or he could lose interest once he actually gets to know me. I’m probably nothing like the women he dates.”
“Maybe not,” Rhia says softly. “But that might be exactly why he’s drawn to you.”
She holds my gaze. “And even if it turns out to be nothing more than a fling, why not let yourself have it? You haven’t been with anyone since Marco, and you kicked his sorry ass to the curb two years ago.”
She looks at me sternly.
“Two years, El,” she emphasizes. “I didn’t push you because you weren’t interested in anyone. But this?” She gestures at me. “It’s written all over you.”
She smiles, not unkindly.
“You need to break your drought.”
Then she gives me a small, decisive nod.
“Just do it.”