A hurricane of emotions spun through Nicolas, barely allowing him to steady himself outside Emily’s bedroom door. Just as his hand lifted to knock, it swung open.
“What do you want?”
“To apologize.”
Her eyes flew wide as her fists slowly loosened, fingers uncurling one by one.
He went on, high off the memories of the past. “You were right,” he said. “I don’t know what it’s like to perform for love. Never had to. But I know what it’s like to do it for respect, so yes, I am guarded because of my responsibilities. It’s a shit excuse, but I’m still adjusting to someone else knowing all of this.”
He exhaled, the weight of it pressing against his ribs. “It’s the same case for you, right? Suddenly having someone know all about you, see through you? But trust me when I say this, Emily, I wasn’t trying to treat you like everyone else.I’m sorry if it felt like that or if I hurt your feelings. You didn’t deserve it.”
Not after all the times she’d kepthimfrom spiraling. She’d been the constant when everything else felt chaotic. His younger self—naive, hopeful, and hopelessly enamored—owed her that grace. Even if this version of him wasn’t sure how to give it.
She twiddled her fingers. Her eighteen-year-old self startled him for a split second. “Thank you...for apologizing.” Her eyes lifted to meet his, voice soft. “I’m sorry too. For what I said.”
His chest tightened, a slow burn curling within it.Was it heartburn? God, he hoped so.Because if it wasn’t, it’d be something far more dangerous. Something he wouldn’t know how to deal with right now.
“It’s alright.”
He could forgive her. For the sake of his business. For the sake of his duties.But did standing here, breathless before her, fall into any of those categories?
“My parents want to meet you.”
“Really?” She blurted. “Why?”
His lips twitched. “Considering you’re their daughter-in-law it shouldn’t come as much as a surprise.”
“Yes...but by contractual obligations. They know this, right?”
He ignored the way his heart clenched at the reminder. “My mother does, so I assume my father does as well.”
A deep sigh finally left her. “If you require the formalities of it, fine. I did agree that I’d do anything to help out regarding that,” she relented. “When will we be going?”
“How does next week sound?”
16
The wrought-iron gates of the Re estate situated on the edge of Milan swung open, revealing a sun-drenched villa. Emily adjusted her sunglasses as Nicolas reached for her suitcase. He didn’t allow the staff to help, carrying it inside himself.
Alessandra Re walked up to them, looking beautiful in a floral dress and gold jewelry adorning every part of her.
She swept Nicolas into a hug.“Ben tornato a casa, figlio mio,”his mother said, kissing both his cheeks.
Then she turned to Emily, her smile polite. “Welcome. You’ve done a great service to this family.”
Her eyes flitted to Nicolas for a second. His parents knew about the fake marriage, but did he not tell them she was gaining something from this as well? With the way Alessandra looked at her, you’d think Emily had done them a huge favor, expecting nothing in return.
“Um…it was no big deal.”
His mother’s gaze lingered. “I know this arrangement wasn’t born of love. But you two are now bound by law. I expect you’ll both honor that.”
Why did that sound like a bit of a threat?
Anna, Nicolas’s younger sister, bounded down the stairs. Her hair was dark like his, just with more curls.
“Emily!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “I’ve been dying to meet you.”
She gave Emily a hug, surprising her by the display of affection to someone the girl hadn’t met before. Then she stepped back to take her in, head tilting with a mischievous smile. “Wow. You look even better in person.”
