Cristiano eyes me carefully, as if making sure I’m worth his time. Then he softly says, “I’ve been thinking about your non-profitidea.”
According to Mia, Cristiano knows more about this world than anyone she knows. She trusts him, so I decide to do the same.
“I will be grateful for any help you can offer.”
Mia squeezes my thigh as if she’s thrilled with how I’m handling this conversation.
Cristiano’s expression gentles. “I know a child psychologist who focuses on early trauma in foster kids. She’s got a whole setup—counseling, school partnerships, foster parent support. Might be worth reaching out and seeing if maybe you can open a branch here as she’s based out of Montpellier.”
Mia lights up beside me. “Do you think she’d meet with us?”
Cristiano grins, his eyes filled with affection for Mia. I try not to growl at him. The man’s trying to help me, and it’s obvious he cares for my wife—I just don’t like that he exists.
“Yes. I talked to her about what you were thinking, and she’d love to partner on building something here in Burlington. She also…wouldn’t mind support on the accounting end at her place, if you still want to do that sort of work, Aiden.”
Mia’s face brightens. “This is so awesome. Isn’t it, Aiden?”
I’m lost in her beautiful gray eyes. “It is,” I murmur.
“Stop it!” Katya nudges me with her elbow.
“Stop what?” I absently rub the side of my stomach where she poked me.
“Looking at her like she’s a lamb chop.” Cristiano picked up a lamb chop to make his point.
“He’s right.” I brush my lips close to Mia’s ear so only she can hear me. “I do want to eat you.”
She turns a lovely shade of pink, and both Katya and Cristiano tease herandme. I don’t mind. They’re seeingusas a couple, and that’s just fine with me.
As the evening progresses, Cristiano tells me that he’d like to come with me when we meet his contact.
“Why?” Katya’s eyes narrow.
“Miss Curiosity Killed The Cat, it’s because I like the work she’s doing.”
“More like he likesher,” Katya teases.
Mia had told me that since Cristiano’s fiancée passed away, he’d not been able to get back into the dating scene. He’d been on one date and then had pulled back into himself. It sounds like he’s interested in this woman.
Good! Then he can stay the fuck away from my wife.
“She’s…interesting.” Cristiano looks decidedly uncomfortable.
Katya mock-gasps. “Cristiano Rivas is developing a crush? Someone alert the tabloids!”
“I’m too old for crushes,” Cristiano protests, amused.
“What’s her name?” Mia puts her hand on Cristiano’s. I don’t like that at all.
I’ve never been the possessive type, except with Mia…and it hits me then, how I’d have reacted if she’d kissed another man, had wanted to. The searing pain I feel at just thinking about it, I know cannot compare to what I did to her.
“Carolina Grantham.” Cristiano glowers at Katya, who’s making kissy sounds.
I feel sick.Reallysick.
How is it that I hadn’t thought about how I’d feel if she did to me what I did to her?
Because you’re a selfish motherfucker?
