“We have nothing left to discuss.”
“Listen, I messed up and I’m sorry.” He pulled a huge bouquet of red roses from behind his back. “These are for you.”
Bianca’s eyes paused on the flowers before meeting his gaze once more. He couldn’t read her thoughts. It was as though she’d put up a protective wall and now he had to find a way to breach it.
&
nbsp; “Please go, Leo. It’s over. It was a mistake.” She turned and walked away.
He desperately wanted to follow her—to tell her that nothing was over between them. They were just getting started, but her two protective siblings weren’t about to let him get past them.
He placed the flowers on a stand by the door. “I’ll be back.”
He wasn’t giving up. He loved Bianca. And she loved him too. She was afraid of the results of the DNA test and he had to prove to her that they didn’t matter to him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE FLOWERS STARTED showing up the next day.
“I don’t know where to put them all,” Gia said. “It’s starting to look like a florist shop in here.” Gia looked at Bianca with sympathy in her eyes. “I know he screwed up, big time, but would it hurt to hear him out?”
Before Bianca could answer there was a knock at the door. She didn’t have to wonder. She knew who was there—the florist. Again.
Bianca moved toward the door. “Don’t worry. I’ll have them take the flowers away.”
She swung open the door, but the words lodged in her throat. There stood Leo.
“You can’t be here,” she said. “A guest might see you and it’ll end up on social media.”
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“Why are you making this so difficult?” Every time she saw him, the feeling of loss washed over her. How was she ever going to forget him—her very own Prince Charming?
“Just hear me out. That’s all I’m asking. And then if you still want me to go, I will.” He could see the indecision reflected in Bianca’s eyes. “Please.”
“Okay. We can go outside—”
“I have a car.” When her eyes widened in surprise, he added, “It’s getting late. I thought we could talk over dinner.”
“I don’t know.”
“Go with him,” Gia said. “Give him a chance. We don’t have room for more flowers.”
Maybe it was the best way to set things straight with him. Bianca glanced down at her skinny jeans and purple top. “I should change.”
“You look perfect,” Leo said. “You’re always beautiful.”
Meanwhile, her sister stood to the side, urging them out the door.
Bianca said, “A quick dinner and then you’ll leave?” When he nodded, she added, “And no more flowers?”
“I promise.”
She grabbed her purse and shoes. Then they were out the door. She noticed him messaging someone as they headed toward the car. Then he slipped the phone in his pocket and opened the car door for her.
Why was he making this so difficult?
Bianca’s heart ached.