Thirst (The Calvettis of New York 1)

A smile plays on her lips. “I am too.”

“Can I see you tomorrow?”

She wraps her hand around my forearm. “I’m meeting Rho

da after work tomorrow to talk about my business.”

I should care, but I don’t. Whatever Rhoda proposes won’t match what I have to offer to her.

“Don’t commit.” I drag my thumb over her bottom lip. “I want a chance to show you what I have to offer.”

The elevator dings, announcing its arrival.

“I won’t commit,” she assures me with a gentle kiss to my thumb. “I’ll see you soon.”

I lean down to brush my lips over hers. “In five minutes.”

“I need to sleep.” The weariness in her tone is unmistakable. “Thank you again for everything, Rocco.”

“Sleep well, Dexie.”

Chapter 32

Dexie

My face scrunches. It has little to do with the bitter taste of the cocktail that Rhoda ordered for me.

It has everything to do with the offer she presented me with.

“I can’t do it.” I push the glass away from me. “I just can’t.”

Her arm is in the air waving the bartender over. The man hasn’t had a second of rest since we sat down.

First, it was Rhoda’s drink order. He made it once, twice and finally, the third time was the charm. Rhoda is a stickler when it comes to dirty martinis.

I decided that I wanted a soda water so I could keep a clear mind.

Rhoda frowned at that and took it upon herself to order me a whiskey sour. As the bartender made it, she told him a story about how it was the first drink she ever had.

Tonight will be the last time I ever have it.

“You need to remake this.” Rhoda pushes my glass tumbler at the bartender.

He’s handsome with black-rimmed eyeglasses, muscles for days and a voice that Rhoda can’t seem to get enough of.

I get it. I like the rich baritone sound of it too, but I’d prefer if I had Rhoda’s full attention so we could talk about the offer she threw at me right after I got here.

“You don’t need to remake it.” I clear my throat. “Can I get a soda water?”

“Sure thing,” he says, tapping the palm of his hand on the top of the bar.

“Live a little, Dexie.” Rhoda twirls the martini glass in a circle. “I can see the tension in your shoulders. A cocktail will chase that away.”

My better sense will hitch a ride with it.

I don’t need a drink. I need a business partner.

“Your offer is very generous, Rhoda,” I say with a smile. “I’m just not in a position to give up that much equity.”