His expression turned serious, thoughtful. “My family’s legacy, I suppose. And making a difference in the community.”
As we finished our dessert, I noticed Antonio’s gaze drifting, his expression troubled.
“Is everything okay?” I asked softly, concern creeping into my voice.
Antonio’s smile faltered. “It’s nothing.”
But I reached out, placing my hand over his. “You can tell me, Antonio.”
He sighed deeply, his eyes locking onto mine. “It’s just family stuff. My mother... she’s been causing some… trouble.”
“Trouble?” I echoed, brow furrowed.
“Yeah. My parents had a nasty divorce years back, and my mother hasn’t been very... reasonable since. She’s resurfaced recently with absurd demands, and I…”
I leaned in, heart pounding. “What kind of demands?” I had a feeling this was connected to the story I was after. And even though guilt twisted in my chest, I wanted—no, needed—to know more.
Antonio lowered his voice. “I don’t know if you’ve heard about the winery on the news, and some of the rumors surrounding it… The person responsible for those rumors is my mother. But no one outside my family knows that yet. She’s threatening to reveal some very sensitive information if she doesn’t get her way.”
My throat tightened as guilt slammed into me. I was the threat he feared. If he ever found out…
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, forcing my voice to sound genuine. “That sounds awful.”
Antonio’s eyes searched mine, vulnerable in a way I hadn’t expected. “I just want to protect my family’s business. We’ve worked so hard to build our reputation.”
“I wish I could wave my hand and make your worries disappear,” I whispered, meaning every word. I never wanted to hurt him—not like this.
He smiled weakly, placing his hand over mine. “Just being here with me is enough. Thank you.” He took a deep breath, and then his eyes lit up again. “Enough about my troubled family. We came here to celebrate.” He lifted his wine glass. “A toast—to the start of something beautiful.”
I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole as I clinked my glass with his.
As the evening drew to a close, Antonio walked me back to his car, his arm around my shoulders, warm and protective.
“Thank you for tonight, Kendra,” he said softly, his voice low and husky. “Thank you for walking back into my life.”
My heart squeezed painfully. “Thanks for dinner. I had a wonderful time.”
Antonio parked at the apartment’s garage, and we walked upstairs together, fingers entwined. Every step made my heart beat faster, every glance made the ache of guilt sharper.
When we reached my door, he turned to face me. “Kendra,” he whispered, his breath brushing against my skin.
I closed my eyes, the world spinning around me. And then, our lips met in a soft, gentle kiss.
Time stood still.
But as we broke apart, reality hit me like a tidal wave. I was playing with fire, and Antonio’s heart was the kindling.
“Goodnight, Kendra,” he murmured, eyes still searching mine, as if he could see every lie buried beneath the surface.
“Goodnight,” I whispered back, my voice barely audible.
I slipped inside and shut the door, leaning heavily against it. I was walking a tightrope, balancing my deceit and my growing feelings for Antonio. And I knew, deep down, that I couldn’t keep this up for much longer.
Chapter Eighteen
Antonio
My hands drummed on the table as my right knee bounced restlessly beneath it. I felt antsy, a gnawing sensation coiling tighter with every passing minute.
