It’s a cop-out. Every fucking word leaving my mouth is a waste of breath.
Her bottom lip trembles as she studies my face. “Why did you call Rhoda and tell her to drop her offer?”
“She couldn’t offer you anything close to what Suzanne is.” I scrub my hand over my face. “I didn’t want you listening to her bullshit when you have a solid offer on the table.”
“You haven’t made your offer yet.” She takes a step closer to me.
My offer is everything her heart desires. I’ll lease a storefront on Fifth Avenue and set up a sewing machine in the middle of it. She can sell one handbag a year for all I care.
All I want is for her to feel fulfilled.
“Do you want me to stay in New York, Rocco?”
My phone rings, pushing her back a step.
I glance down.
Pop’s name dances over the screen.
“I have to take this,” I say, looking into her eyes.
She nods. “Take it.”
I head for the kitchen. “I’ll be right back.”
The phone is to my ear by the time I round the corner. “Pop.”
He sighs heavily. “April’s latest test results are back. I need you here.”
“I’m coming.” I sigh into the phone. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I love you, boy.”
“You too,” I say quietly ending the call.
I rush back to the living room. “I’m sorry about that, Dexie. I’m sorry about everything.”
My words are greeted with silence and an empty room.
She’s gone.
Chapter 54
Dexie
I walk into Calvetti’s and draw a deep breath.
I can do this.
I hope that what I’m about to give Marti will bring a smile to her face.
I left Rocco’s apartment two hours ago after he took a call. I’m sure it was important. That’s not the reason I stormed out and went back to my office at Matiz.
I wanted to scream at him for pulling the strings of my life behind my back.
I needed him to tell me that California isn’t the place for me.
Rocco has never told me he loves me. I haven’t told him either.