Ruthless (The Calvettis of New York 2)

Bella: We never made it to Brooklyn.

I know it’s rude to make small text talk with Barrett while I’m on a date with Dale, but it’s not even seven p.m. and I’ve already had dinner. I’m ready to go home.

Alone.

Dale isn’t going to get to first base tonight.

“What do you want to do after dinner?” Dale wiggles his brows at me.

I scratch my chin. “My boss needs me to go into the office extra early tomorrow, so I have to go home soon.”

His gaze drops to his watch. “It’s six fifty.”

I resist the urge to look at my phone when it buzzes again.

“Are you free tomorrow night?” He asks before I can come up with a believable excuse about why our date is ending. “I’ll buy you a drink after you’re done work for the day. I don’t know many people in New York.”

The corners of his lips dip into a frown. I think he’s trying to go for a lonely puppy dog look.

Max and I are supposed to go to a movie tomorrow night, but we can squeeze in a drink with Dale before that. “Text me where and when and I’ll be there.”

His entire face lights up with a smile.

I should be all over this, and him. He’s single, good-looking, and he works in the mayor’s office in Philadelphia. He seems like an all-around great guy, but he doesn’t light a spark inside of me.

I move to stand, but Dale is on his feet before I’m out of my chair.

“I can see you home, Bella,” he offers. “I don’t mind.”

I give my head a shake. “Thank you, but I can make it on my own.”

Disappointment flits over his expression. “I’ll text you in the morning about our drink tomorrow night.”

I reach in to give him a chaste peck on the cheek. “Thanks for dinner, Dale.”

He sighs. “Every minute was my pleasure.”

My phone buzzes again as I step away. I look down at the screen to find two messages from my boss.

Barrett: Does a man fall into the clueless category of one and done if he doesn’t realize that you’re a direct descendant of Martina Calvetti, founder of Calvetti’s?

I laugh out loud as I exit the restaurant.

Navigating through the pedestrian traffic, I read the other text.

Barrett: I’ll take your silence as a yes. Be at your desk by 8 a.m. tomorrow.

Shaking my head, I drop my phone in my purse.

The extra five figures a year is worth getting out of bed an hour early. I can handle anything Barrett Adler throws my way.

Chapter 11

Bella

I arrive at my desk at one minute before eight. I planned that on purpose. I was hanging out in the lobby with my sister before I got on the elevator.

Gina has a meeting around the corner with a fashion designer.