12. Rose
ROSE
Iopen my laptop, thankful Dante isn’t sitting too close. After he touched the small of my back, then gripped my elbow, I needed a chance for my heart rate to normalize. Taking a deep breath, I focus on the proposal on my screen and dive into the presentation I have prepared for Dante.
His eyes don’t leave my face as I cover every aspect of his home and the plans I have recommended.
I barely have to look at the screen and instead focus my gaze on his as I walk him through each room of the house.
I pause a few times and ask if he has questions or feedback, but he largely just agrees with what I’ve put together.
I make note of a few items I intentionally left open-ended to get Dante’s input, but overall, his response has been positive.
His only questions seem to be around timing and deliveries, and which companies I will be using.
As I’m wrapping up my presentation, I hear the click of the front door, and within a few seconds, Luca strides into the kitchen, carrying two to-go coffee cups in hand—one hot and one iced. I don’t know if I’m ready to face him. Luckily, Dante can act as a buffer between us.
“Hi, Ro. I brought you some coffee, just how you like it,” Luca adds with a wink.
I can feel Dante tense beside me, and he is about to open his mouth to speak when his phone starts vibrating on the counter.
With an annoyed expression, Dante swipes his phone off the marble island and answers with a brisk, “What?” as he stands from his stool.
Dante walks out of the room to take the phone call, and I can feel my nerves ratchet up immediately now that Luca and I will be alone for the first time since the ill-fated kiss last night.
I really don’t want to do this with him, but I guess it’s better to just address it and move on.
Or I could ignore it. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to ignore it.
“Hello, Luca. Now that Dante and I are in agreement on the designs, I have several items I’d like to go over with you.
They will need to be addressed before I can start having items delivered.
I made a list during our walkthrough yesterday.
Would you prefer I email you the list or would you like to go over them now?
” I say in my most professional, boss bitch tone.
“Ro—Rose, about last night.”
“No, Luca, you don’t have the right to bring that up now.
” My voice is a little louder and harsher than I’d like, but Luca needs to understand how serious I am.
“The time for talking to me about our personal history was last night. Today and moving forward, we are colleagues and nothing more. I have a lot riding on this project, so if we can focus on that, I’d appreciate it. ”
“If that’s what you want, then I will respect your wishes,” Luca responds with a dejected tone and dip of his head.
“Perfect. Let’s start in the entryway.” I walk past him, grabbing the iced coffee from his hand before he can see the tears beginning to well in my eyes. I take the time to quickly swipe under my eyes and compose myself with a long sip of coffee before I launch into my list.