Return of the Italian Tycoon

“Ms. Hill.” Her name was repeated in chorus.

“Hi.” With so many happy, smiling faces looking at her, it was like a temporary bandage on her broken heart. She forced a smile to her lips. “Is everyone here?”

“Yeah!”

The parents made their way up to her, shaking her hand and thanking her. She wanted to tell them that she hadn’t done this, that it had been Angelo, but every time she opened her mouth to explain someone else thanked her.

And then her parents stepped in front of her. Her mother’s eyes were misty as she smiled at her and her father looked at her. “You’ve done us proud.”

They drew together into a group hug—something she’d grown up doing. No matter how old she got, some things didn’t change.

Kayla pulled back. “But what are you two doing here?”

“Honey—” her mother dabbed at her eyes “—you don’t think that we’d miss this after the invitation you sent.”

Invitation? That she had sent? Something told her that Angelo had orchestrated this, too. Suddenly she wasn’t so upset with him. For him to listen to her and give her this chance to show her parents what she’d accomplished while in New York touched her deeply. She wished he was around so that she could apologize for overreacting in the limo. More than that, she wanted to thank him.

The lights dimmed and one of the security guards approached her. They guided her through the barrier, around the stage and up a set of steps. When she stepped on the stage, she was awed by the number of people in the audience. She wondered if Angelo was out there somewhere or if he’d given up and gone home. The thought of him giving up on her left her deeply saddened.

Oh, boy. This wasn’t good. She couldn’t think about Angelo. Not here. Not now. She had to keep it together for all of the excited faces in the audience who were counting on her to pull this off. She’d made it this far—just a little longer.

And then as if perfectly timed, pink-and-silver balloons fell from the ceiling, scattering across the stage. What in the world?

The head of the outreach program stood at the microphone. Mr. Wilson was an older gentleman who’d already raised his family. Now he and his wife spent their time helping the children enrolled in the program.

“Kayla, join me.” He turned to the audience. “Everyone, please give the mastermind behind this amazing event a round of applause.”

The clapping and cheers were unbelievable. And it would have been so much better if Angelo was standing next to her—after all, he’d been the one to save the fund-raiser. Not her.

As she peered at the countless smiling faces, her gaze connected with Angelo’s. Her heart picked up its pace. What was he still doing here?

When quiet settled over the crowd, Mr. Wilson continued. “Kayla, would you like to say something?”

Though her insides quivered with nerves, she moved up to the microphone. Back at her apartment, she’d planned out what to say, but now standing here in front of thousands of people, including Angelo, the words totally escaped her.

She swallowed hard and relied on her gut. “I want to say a huge thank-you to everyone who helped with this event. Those people who helped with the planning and the organizing, please stand.” Afraid to start naming names and forgetting someone, she stuck with generalities. “This was most definitely a group effort, and what a fabulous group. So please give them a round of applause.”

She handed the microphone back to Mr. Wilson before she herself started clapping. Her gaze moved back to the last place she’d seen Angelo, but he was no longer there. She searched the immediate area but saw no sign of him. Her heart sank.

And then a familiar voice came across the speaker system. “Kayla, I know I say everything wrong when it comes to you. But I want you to know that I think you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

Just then Angelo stepped on the stage and approached her. Her heart pounded in her chest. He stopped in front of her.

“What are you doing?” Heat flamed in her cheeks.

“Kayla, you’ve opened my eyes and my heart to the way life can be if I let down my guard.” He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “I couldn’t imagine doing that with anyone but you.”

Kayla’s eyes grew misty. It was a good thing that Angelo was holding her hand or she might have fallen over, because everything from her neck down felt like gelatin.

He handed the microphone back to Mr. Wilson as the band started to play. “Can I have this dance?”

He wanted to dance right here? Right now? In front of everyone?

Surely this all had to be a dream. If so, what did it matter if she accepted? She nodded and he pulled her into his arms as the band played a romantic ballad.

Angelo stared deeply into her eyes. “I never thought it was possible for me to feel this way, but I love you.”

A tear of joy splashed on her cheek, a trait she inherited from her mother. “I love you, too.”