“I can’t even imagine what that must be like.”
“Like a life sentence. I grew up knowing I was destined to marry this man and that I wouldn’t be allowed to date anyone else. I was expected to be a virgin on my wedding night while my fiancé was entitled to fuck as many women as he liked, both before and after our marriage. It disgusts me.” She swallows a few mouthfuls of water, but it does nothing to disperse the angry set of her mouth. “I fought my parents nonstop over it. Begged them to let me out of it.”
“And did they?”
A bitter laugh escapes her mouth. “No, but fate intervened. Gino Accardi’s wife died when his twins were only three. He needed a new wife to take care of them, and I was desperate to be promised to anyone but the man I was promised to.” A shudder works its way through her, and I want to ask why, but I sense it’s not something she wishes to share. At least not now. “The old bastard worked his magic, getting me out of the earlier arrangement, and within a few months, I was married to Gino and taking care of his boys. I had to drop out of college midway through junior year.”
“Can’t you go back now the boys are older? Or complete it online or by night classes?”
“It’s a possibility. When the boys start high school next year, I intend to convince Gino to let me complete my degree. Then I’ll work on him about med school.”
“If I can do anything to help, let me know.”
She squeezes my hand. “Thank you. I will.” The frustration and anger disappear from her face, replaced with a softer look. “I am so glad you and Ben reconnected. The difference in him is incredible. He—”
“Sorry to interrupt, ladies,” a deep voice says, startling both of us.
“Leo. What are you doing here?” I ask, getting up. I glance into the hallway behind him, hope bubbling in my chest.
“I had to collect some documents for the boss, and he asked me to drop these off.”
I can’t be disappointed Ben isn’t with him when he produces a massive bunch of flowers and a smaller box from behind his back. His smile is genuine as he hands them to me. Leo seems to have thawed to me recently, and I’m glad. I know he is Ben’s best friend, as well as his trusted number two, so it’s important we get along. However, I can’t say I know the man, and there is still a distance between us I would like to eliminate someday soon.
I can’t keep the grin off my face as I bury my nose in the fragrant flowers, setting the box down on my knees.
“Wow. I never thought I’d see this day.” Natalia smiles. “Who knew my brother was such a closet romantic?”
“I think that’s supposed to be a secret,” Leo says, staring at Natalia with a look that can only be described as longing.
Interesting.
I thought I caught him looking at her when she was dancing with Ben at the ball, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. I wonder what the story is there. Surreptitiously, I watch the two of them over the enormous bunch of flowers on my lap.
“Of course.” Natalia’s smile fades out. “God forbid any made man outwardly shows love and affection toward his wife.”
A frown appears on Leo’s face, and he opens his mouth to say something when Rowan notices him, cutting him off before he can form a word.
“Leo!” Rowan shouts, bouncing off the trampoline, and almost face-planting on the ground. He races toward Ben’s right-hand man in his socks. “Is my daddy here?”
“Daddy’s at work, buddy. Sorry,” he says, ruffling his hair. He crouches down to his level when Rowan pouts. “He told me to tell you he’ll be home on Friday for Halloween, and he asked me to give you this.” He hands Rowan a large paper bag of candy, and his eyes pop wide.
“Hand the candy here, Firecracker.” I set my flowers down on the floor by the couch, stretching my arm out. If I don’t take the bag from Rowan now, he will throw a hissy fit.
“But, Mom!” he protests, pouting.
“You can have some now, just not the whole bag.” I don’t want to rain on Ben’s parade, not when he’s being super sweet and thoughtful, but a small bag of candy would suffice, and I’ll need to tell him that for future reference.
“I’d better get back,” Leo says, straightening up. “Ben is waiting on these.” He waves a handful of folders in the air.
“Okay. Thanks for stopping by.”
Leo jerks his head in Alesso’s direction, and he gets up, following Leo out of the room.
Natalia is lost in thought while I dispense a small portion of candy into a bowl for Rowan. Rowan returns to the trampoline, emptying the candy onto it as he lies flat on his tummy, munching away.
“I don’t mean to pry, but did anything ever happen between you and Leo?” I ask, as I open the box he gave me.
“Why do you ask?” she inquires, as I peel back the lid of the box, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face when I see the six lush red-velvet, and peanut-butter-truffle, cupcakes.
