“He wants me. Jacques won’t just bid on me, he’ll win.” I sound exactly like the vindictive debutant bitches I grew up around who were constantly throwing themselves at the D’Agostino boys.
Helen sucks in a breath and I can just imagine the shock on her face at my words.I don’t normally talk like this.
“Candace you’ve gone from shy wallflower to confident temptress overnight.”
I wish it were that. It’s not though.I just know how to handle rich assholes who want sex.
"I know his type."
“Oh, my gosh, this is so juicy.” She laughs louder.“But what if someone outbids him?”
“He won’t allow that to happen.” I know what men like him do.
Jacques is one of those Neanderthals who isn’t used to hearing the word no. He would have seen me as a piece of ass to add to his list of conquests.I'm also certain he just assumed that I was playing hard to get.My interaction with him over the last few days probably made him think I was warming to his continuous advances.That is what will make him want me more, and that competitive streak in him will never allow another man to have me.
What I’ll be doing this week is sowing seeds to cement his interest.The auction is on Saturday. When I tell him I’ll be taking part that will seal the deal.
“Oh, my God. You are on fire.I like it. Candace, you sound like a new woman.”
“I feel like one.” One on a mission for answers and justice.
“What about the brothers, aren’t you worried Massimo or Tristan might say something?”
“Not at all." One more lie. They would go ape shit."They won’t even be there.” And if they were, they'd think I'd lost my mind.
Massimo and Tristan are both married and have their hands full with their babies.They don’t usually concern themselves with these sorts of events, but they definitely wouldn't agree with me entering such a thing.Even if the subject of anything to do with relationships has been approached with care since Dominic left.
I frown and release an exasperated breath.Glancing at the clock on the wall, I wince.It’s nearly ten. Another two hours and I would have gone a whole day without thinking about Dominic D’Agostino.Another two more hours and I could class myself as almost at the point where maybe I was getting over him.
Maybe.
He’s been gone for two years.Moving on should be easy when I think of all the reasons to hate him.The man left me in a hospital bed after he put a bullet in my chest.It was like he stayed around long enough to make sure I was alive, then he just left, leaving me a note telling me not to wait for him.
Even though I put on a brave face, I’m still heartbroken knowing the boy I love deserted me when I needed him the most.
I stifle a groan, shake my mind free of his face, and focus on Jacques.Thinking about Dominic isn’t going to do me any favors.
“I absolutely can’t wait to see how this is going to play out,” Helen says.
“Me too. It’s gonna be fun.”
“It will, and if you don’t mind me saying, a good move for you.Giving another guy a chance will help you move forward.”
She means moving on from Dominic.Before he left, people would have seen us together, but we weren’t a couple then.We were barely a couple at the point we got together, and no one would have seen us.
Helen is the kind of woman who can figure things like that out for herself, though.I’ve also been obvious in my avoidance of forming any new relationships.
“I agree.”
“Make sure we book a shopping date.I want to see your dress before the big night.”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, see you in the morning.”
“See you.”
When we hang up, I set my phone down and press my hand to my chest.I inhale shallow, even breaths.I must look like I’m on the verge of a panic attack or I’m trying to come out of one.With the bizarre plan I'm concocting, I wouldn't be surprised if I did have a full-blown panic attack.