Chapter 27
ALEX
Elise and Brooke are deep in conversation as they enter the restaurant for breakfast. Elise looks up and waves, then guides Brooke towards me and the table I’m occupying.
“Morning, boss,” she says cheerfully, and I wonder whether Giovanni Esposito has anything to do with that.
I saw him dropping her back at the hotel late last night. He was clearly the friend she was meeting. Not that I blame her. They’ve worked closely over the years. He’s only a few years younger than she is. If something develops, I wish them both well.
Our waiter arrives, takes their drink orders, and directs them to the buffet.
“So, how was your meal last night?” she asks, turning to Brooke, who’s been remarkably quiet since she sat down.
“It was lovely,” she says. “The food and wine were everything the reviews promised. Gabbi joined us, which was nice.”
Her mention of the wine makes me wonder whether she intends to use it as an excuse for what transpired at the end of the evening.
A get-out-of-jail-free card. I had a little too much to drink… it was quite out of character.
Elise turns to me. “Gabbi joined you?”
I nod.
“I’m sorry I missed her. How’s her course going?”
“Well,” both Brooke and I answer together before falling into silence.
Brooke gets up and moves to the buffet, leaving us at the table.
Elise looks at me, her eyes questioning.
“Gabbi is loving her course. Hopefully, once she’s finished, she’ll join us,” I say.
“Brooke looks tired this morning,” Elise says, her eyes never leaving my face.
“It was a late night. The past couple of days have been hectic. Add the couple of bottles of wine we had with dinner. I’m sure when she’s back in New York in her own bed, she’ll feel better.”
I look at my friend, who doesn’t look convinced but lets it drop.
Brooke returns to the table. Elise is correct, she does look tired, and I wonder if she got any sleep last night. I know I didn’t. I tossed and turned. At two, I took a cold shower, trying to erase the feel of Brooke in my arms and how right it felt when her lips touched mine.
Fuck!
It was all I could do not to haul her into my arms…but then there was her response. The look of pure horror on her face. It’s why my balls are still blue this morning, her apparent disgust stopping me from taking myself in hand.
Her eyes remain glued to the tablecloth as she sits down. The definite barrier between us. It lets me know that what happened last night, or nearly happened, is not up for discussion.
“Are you all packed?” Elise turns to Brooke.
“Nearly,” she says, turning and offering Elise an overly bright smile. “I’m not hungry. Too much food last night. I think I’ll go and finish packing. I’ll see you both in reception.”
Without so much as a glance in my direction, she gets up and leaves the table.
Elise watches her go with a frown. “Are you sure nothing happened last night?” she presses.
“Nothing,” I lie.
“You didn’t snap at her, criticise her?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why’s it my fault? I’ve no reason to question anything she does. You’ve seen it yourself. She’s Little Miss Efficient.”
“Hmm,” she says, not sounding convinced. “Just remember that. We’re not all like you, married to our jobs.” A look of horror passes over her face. “Oh shit, Alex, I’m sorry.”
Elise and I had already been working together when Loretta left me.
“Don’t worry about it. Water under the bridge, and it’s not something I deny. I am a workaholic.”
“You need to find someone to settle down with. Speaking of which, how’s it going with Aubrey?”
“Fine, but we want different things,” I admit.
Her eyes meet mine. “I was surprised you asked her out. I wouldn’t have pegged her as your type,” she says.
I harrumph. “I’m not sure what my type is,” I tell her with a grimace.
I’m beginning to question that, though, especially since a certain young woman stepped into my life and began invading my every waking thought.
Fuck! No. She’s run scared from the breakfast room, having eaten nothing. Does she blame me? Does she think I was coming onto her? Was I?
I did carry her up the street, enjoying the feel of her in my arms. Did she sense that? Is that what’s freaked her out?
We had fun.
The conversation between the three of us had been easy. Gabbi had liked her, I could tell. She never tells anyone she’ll call them. She’s spent years being stung and sold out by so-called friends. But with Brooke, it was as though Gabbi felt understood.
Even after my sister left, Brooke and I continued talking.
I don’t think I’ve felt that at ease in another person’s company for a long time.
And now that ease between us appears to be gone.
I hate the distance I’ve created. Maybe I should have apologised there and then, but the temptation to take her in my arms and see how it truly felt to kiss her was riding me hard.
I need to forget it. Keep things professional. Getting involved with my PA would be an HR nightmare. Sue would probably throw me off the top of our building, after giving me a lecture about messing around with my subordinates.
As the boys said before I left, “What happens in Italy stays in Italy.” I just need to let Brooke know she’s safe with me and nothing like that will ever happen again.