Return of the Italian Tycoon
He cleared his throat. “You know, just because I’m here doesn’t mean you can’t take a phone call from home now and then.”
She shook her head. “It...it was nothing.”
“Are you sure about that? I get the distinct feeling that the call was definitely something.”
“I told you it’s nothing important.” Her voice rose with each syllable. “Why are you making such a big deal of it?”
“I just thought it might be important.”
Her gaze didn’t meet his. Her voice was heated and her words were rushed. “It’s nothing for you to worry about. Besides, we have work to do.”
He’d never witnessed Kayla losing her composure—ever. What was wrong with her? And why wouldn’t she open up to him?
“Kayla, if you need a break—”
“I don’t.” She ran her fingers through her long red curls before twisting the strands around her fingertip. “Can we get back to work?”
His jaw tightened. These heated exchanges reminded him of his parents, and not in a good way. Kayla had just reinforced his determination to remain single. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with a turbulent relationship.
“Work sounds like a good idea.” He turned to his laptop. Before he could even type in his password, Kayla softly called out his name. In fact, her voice was so soft that he was sure he’d imagined it. He glanced over his shoulder to find her standing next to him.
Her gaze was downcast and her fingers were laced together. “I’m sorry for snapping. I didn’t mean to grouch at you. I...I—”
Before she could go any further, he uttered, “It’s okay. We’re both under a lot of pressure, working night and day to get this pitch perfected.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Thanks for understanding. It won’t happen again.”
He didn’t doubt that she meant it, but he was a realist and knew that blowups happened even in the best of relationships. So where did they go from here?
When he didn’t immediately say anything, she added, “The phone call was a friend. I’ll deal with it later.”
Not about to repeat their earlier argument, he let her comment slide. “Then let’s get back to work. We have the menu to work into the layout.”
He didn’t miss the way she played with her hair—the telltale sign she was nervous. Oh, that call was definitely something important. All of his suspicions were now confirmed. So what could be so important that it had her jumping for the phone, and yet she refused to take the call in front of him? A boyfriend? But she’d already stated categorically that she didn’t have one, and he believed her.
So what had her nervous and fidgeting with her hair? What didn’t she want him to know? And why was he more concerned about her blasted phone calls and mysterious ways than he was about this presentation that was quickly approaching?
He really needed to get his head in this game or Monte Calanetti would lose the pitch before they even gave their presentation in Halencia. But with Kayla so close by it was difficult at times to remember that she was here to work and not to fulfill his growing fantasies.
* * *
Moonbeams danced upon the window sheers as Kayla leaned back in her chair. They’d been working on this pitch night and day, trying to make it beyond amazing. A yawn passed her lips. Not even coffee was helping her at this point.
“You should call it a night.” Angelo stared at her over the top of his laptop. “I’ve got this.”
Not about to let him think she wasn’t as dedicated to this project as he was, she said, “If you’re staying up, so am I.”
He sent her an I-don’t-believe-you’re-so-stubborn look. “If you insist—”
“I do.” She crossed her arms. Even that movement took a lot of effort.
He arched a brow, but he didn’t argue. “How about we take a break? I’m starved.”
“Sounds good to me, but I don’t think there’s any room service at this hour.”
“Who needs room service? There’s still half of a pizza in the fridge.”
“Oh. I forgot.”