“Well, it can’t be with me. I’m quite certain that it goes against your rules to date an employee.”
“Ah, but what you’re forgetting is that you’re no longer an employee of Amatucci & Associates.” He sighed. “We need to talk.”
“Now’s not the time. I have a fund-raiser to attend. Alone.” She reached for the door handle, but before she could open it, the car started moving.
“And it looks like I’m your ride.”
Her gaze narrowed in on him. “Angelo, there’s nothing left to say. You said it all back in Tuscany.”
“Not everything. Why did you quit without even talking to me?”
“First, I have a question for you. I thought it was strange when an internationally acclaimed rock band wanted to play for our fund-raiser on short notice. No one would tell me how Slammin’ Apples heard about our need for help. Now I know. It was you, wasn’t it?”
He wasn’t so sure by the tone of her voice if this was going to go his way or not. “I was the one who called in a favor or two to have the band show up tonight.”
“That isn’t just any band. They are amazing. They’ve won national awards.”
Angelo was going to take this all as a good sign. “I’m glad that you are pleased.”
Her brows gathered together. “I didn’t ask for your help.”
“Kind of like how I didn’t ask for your help with gaining permission from Louisa to use the chapel.”
She shrugged. “I don’t quit in the middle of projects.”
He hoped this news would thaw her demeanor. “And thanks to you, Monte Calanetti is the official host of the royal wedding.”
“Really?” A big smile bowed her lips and eased her frown lines. “I mean, I’m really happy for them.”
“I knew you would be. Nico and Marianna send along their sincerest thank-yous.” This was his chance to fix things. “I’m sorry about what was said in Tuscany. I never ever meant for you to quit. I need to make things right. You’re far too talented to let go.”
The light in her eyes dimmed. He’d obviously not said the right thing. For a man who made his fortune coming up with just the right words to turn people’s heads and convince them to buy certain products or ideas, why was he messing this up so badly? Why couldn’t he find the words to tell Kayla what she truly meant to him?
And then he knew what it was—what was holding him back. He was afraid that she wouldn’t feel the same. He didn’t want her to close the door on him as his parents had done so many years ago.
But still, he had to do it. He had to put himself out there if he ever wanted to win Kayla back. And that was something he most definitely want
ed. After their month in Tuscany—he couldn’t imagine another day without Kayla’s sunny smile or her beautiful laugh.
Yet before he could sort his thoughts into words, the car pulled to a stop. Without waiting for the driver, Kayla swung the door open.
“Kayla, wait.”
Without a backward glance, she faded into the sea of people waiting to get into the convention center. Though he rushed to get out of the car, by the time he did so she’d vanished—lost in the excited crowd.
He’d lost his chance to speak his piece. Maybe showing her how he felt would be better. He just hoped that his other surprise worked, because he just couldn’t lose her now, not after she’d shown him that there was a different way to live—one with love in it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
KAYLA’S HEART ACHED.
She bit down on the inside of her lower lip, holding in the pain. Her legs were on automatic pilot as they kept moving one after the other, weaving her way through the throng of people. She didn’t have a particular destination in mind. She just needed to put distance between her and Angelo before she crumbled in front of him.
After all they’d shared, how could Angelo look at her and see nothing more than an Amatucci & Associates asset? Was that truly all she was to him? The thought slugged her in the chest, knocking the breath from her.
And the sad thing was, for the longest time that’s what she thought she’d wanted—Angelo to look at her and see her for all of her creative talent. But now things had changed—they’d changed considerably. Now she wanted him to see oh so much more—to see the woman that loved him with all of her heart.
After passing through security, she made her way to the front of the hall where the stage was set up. The kids of the ICL after-school program rushed up to her.