Thirst (The Calvettis of New York 1)

I nod, taking in every word she’s saying.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today if we didn’t give up some control.” She shakes her head slightly, causing her short brown curly hair to bounce. “Your specialty is designing handbags. Your talent is undeniable, Dexie. Focus on that and your future business partner will focus on everything else.”

She’s right. I’ve wanted a partner for years. Rhoda and Rocco are both giving me a chance to have that.

“Some people are good at this.” Her fingers run over the edge of my clutch. “Others are good behind the scenes. Don’t get caught up in trying to master it all.”

“I just want to pick the right partner.” I laugh. “Why does choosing a partner feel like the biggest decision of my life?”

“Because it is. You’re trusting another person with your life’s work.” Her hand brushes over mine. “All you have to do is find someone who sees what you’re bringing to the table.”

I gaze down at my red skirt.

My heart tells my perfect partner is Rocco, but the fear of what happens if our personal relationship ends scares the hell out of me.

“I’m not too late to join in on the fun, am I?”

My head pops up at the sound of Rocco’s voice.

“Rocco!” Suzanne glides to her feet. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

They embrace as I push to my feet.

“Dexie.” Rocco turns to me, brushing his lips over my cheek. “How are you?”

Surprised. When we exchanged text messages earlier, he wished me well at the meeting and told me that his day was jam-packed with meetings of his own.

He gestures for Suzanne and me to sit. We both lower in our chairs across the square table from one another. Rocco pulls a chair from another table to sit between us.

“I love this place.” Suzanne twirls her finger in the air. “Lucien has been nothing but gracious.”

I sit back and watch a wide grin slide over Rocco’s lips. “I told you one day I’d own a place like this.”

When Suzanne asked me to meet her at Sérénité, a French restaurant on Tenth Avenue, I searched it out online. The reviews are stellar and I’m all for taking a journey into a new culinary adventure.

I had no idea Rocco owned it.

“We haven’t ordered lunch yet.” Suzanne glides her fingers along the arm of Rocco’s gray suit jacket. “You’ll join us, won’t you?”

There’s a familiarity between them that’s undeniable.

His eyes skim her face before he looks at me. “I’d love to.”

He motions the female server over and in perfect French he orders something that sounds like heaven on a plate.

“Tell me what’s happening with you, Rocco?” Suzanne’s fingers play with the heart-shaped gold pendant around her neck. “Any exciting news to share?”

I wait with bated breath to hear the next words out of his mouth, hoping that it will be something romantic about him seeing a woman across a starry sky and falling breathlessly in love with her.

“Pop and April tied the knot.”

“They’re married?” Her mouth curves into a grin. “I didn’t think your dad would take the plunge again after Irena died.”

April? Irena?

If I felt I had a foot planted firmly in Rocco’s inner circle, I just got my ass kicked out of it by Suzanne.

Her and Rocco are clearly old friends or more.