XOXO

Brooks isn’t there yet.

“Why don’t we go and get that cup of coffee?” I open my desk drawer to yank out my purse. “I think we have a lot in common.”

“You’re...you...gamble...” he stutters out a question I can tell he doesn’t have the strength to ask.

Rounding my desk, I set my hand on his forearm. “My dad.”

His eyes catch mine. “You understand, don’t you?”

I understand what it’s like to watch someone you love struggle in a way that leaves you feeling powerless to help.

I nod. “I understand.”

“Dominick takes me to meetings,” he confesses in a low tone. “He waits outside for me.”

I bow my head to try and find my composure.

There’s so much about Dominick I don’t know.

“I can do that too,” I assure him. “You’re not alone. I’m here to help.”

He wraps my arm around his. “Your father must be very proud of you, Arietta.”

“He is,” I say as we start our walk toward the elevator. “But I’m more proud of him.”

***

Dominick beat me back to the office.

I can tell by the look on his face that his meeting with Mr. Borgon went well.

He’s standing in the doorway to his office. His gray suit coat is buttoned, and his hands are in the front pocket of his pants.

He’s sexy-as-hell as he watches me stalk toward him with a coffee for him in one of my hands and a law book tucked under my arm.

I made a quick stop at Past Over on my lunch break.

Lynn had a new book for me. She also told me that she’d have a new shipment of old dresses later in the week.

I approach Dominick with a smile on my face. “You’re back.”

“You’re beautiful,” she says quietly. “You’re also unbelievably kind, Arietta.”

He must have spoken to Brooks.

After I rode the subway with him to a community center where a meeting was being held, I waited outside at a park across the street. I sat on a bench and called my dad to tell him how much I loved him.

Our conversation ended when Brooks emerged from the meeting. I gave him my cell number and told him to call me in the future if he can’t reach Dominick.

He hugged me and thanked me for everything I’d done for him.

I wanted to thank him because he helped me see a side of the man I’m falling in love with that I didn’t know existed until today.

I shove the cup of coffee into his hands. “I was glad to help.”

He sets the coffee on the corner of my desk. “You did more than help. Brooks was pretty damn emotional when he called me. He told me you went above and beyond.”

“He told me you have been doing that for years.”

His gaze locks on mine. “He’s an old friend of my dad’s.”

I take a measured step closer to him. “You’re a good person, Dominick Calvetti.”

“Not as good as you.”

“It’s not a competition,” I say. “We can both be good.”

His lips turn up into a grin. “We were both good last night.”

I lower my voice to almost a whisper. “I can strive to be even better tonight.”

“You’re making me regret a decision I made earlier.” His gaze travels over my body. “I’m leaving town in two hours.”

Disappointment halts my excitement about climbing back into his bed tonight. “You don’t have a trip booked.”

“I do now.” He exhales on a sigh. “Orson Borgon wants me to accompany him on his business trip to Philadelphia. He wants more time to talk things over. I suspect this is a test I need to pass before he signs with Modica.”

I’m not surprised.

Clients have made Dominick jump through hoops for them in the past.

“It’s just for one night?” I ask hopefully.

“He mentioned the possibility of introducing me to his wife and kids. That means a detour to Miami after Philadelphia.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “I’m in if that happens, but I don’t have a timeline. I can’t say for certain when I’ll be back.”

I can’t fault him for any of this. The commission on the Borgon portfolio would be huge.

“I understand, “ I say with a stilted smile.

“Of course you do.” He cups my chin with his hand. “I, on the other hand, don’t understand how I’m going to stand not touching you for more than a few hours.”

“Just imagine our reunion when you get back.” I sigh.

“You’ll spend the night with me when I’m back.”

I love that it’s not a question. It’s an assumption.

“I will,” I agree.

“I’ll use all of my charm to get him to sign as soon as possible. “ He lifts his hand to run a finger over my bottom lip.

“You’re charming?”

His head falls back in laughter. “That will cost you, Arietta.”

“I sure as hell hope so,” I say before I nip at his fingertip. “I can’t wait for you to get back to Manhattan.”