“You failed to mention that, my friend.” Caleb arches a brow in Cristian’s direction.
“Like I said earlier, Accardi, Sloane’s private life is no one’s business but her own.”
“Are you exclusive?” Giulio leans forward with his elbows propped on his knees, flashing me a flirty grin.
A laugh bursts from my chest. “What part ofcasually datingandnot seriousgave you that impression?” I want Cristian jealous, but the lie could backfire if I’m not careful.
“Great, so if I was to say…hypothetically ask you out to dinner, you might not be opposed to it?” Giulio asks with an expanding grin.
Holy fuck, this is so not helping. “Umm.” It’s not that Giulio isn’t dateable. He’s a good-looking guy. Well dressed with good taste, obvious money, and charm, and he seems to have a fun personality. But he’s not my target, and I don’t think going on a date with one of my boss’s friends will positively support my goals in any way. I glance briefly at Cristian. Steam is practically billowing from his ears, but I’m not sure if he’s offended on my behalf or if he’s jealous. “I’m flattered, Giulio, but I don’t think that would be appropriate given my position as Elio’s nanny.”
Relief is written all over Cristian’s face. Caleb is grinning like he’s privy to some private joke. Elisa is eyeballing her husband and issuing some silent warning. Joshua is sitting back on the couch, with his ankle resting on his knee, looking unfazed as he takes it all in. Gia is drinking her wine and watching all our reactions carefully, and I get the sense nothing gets past her.
“You’re too old for her anyway,” Cristian says.
Giulio’s lips tease into another grin. “I’m only a few years older than you.”
Cristian’s shoulders stiffen. “What has that got to do with anything?”
“Age is just a number,” Caleb says. “Look how happy Valentina and Fiero are, and the age gap between them is much larger.”
“Change the subject,” Cristian barks, tightening his grip on his beer bottle.
“So, back to kids, Sloane,” Caleb says, and Cristian snaps, jumping up and jabbing his finger between Caleb and Giulio. “You’re both meddling pricks.” He drains his beer and sets it down on the table. “I’m going out for a walk.” He storms off, leaving tense silence in the air.
“That was cruel,” Elisa says, staring at her husband. “You should go after him.”
“Let me.” I climb to my feet, putting my wineglass down. “I could use a walk too.” I rush off in the direction Cristian went, grabbing my new coat and gloves on the way.
When I step outside, my boss is nowhere in sight, and I haven’t got a clue where he might’ve gone.
“I know where he is,” Gia says, appearing at my back. “Come on. I’ll walk you over to him.”
“Thanks.” I fall into step beside her, and we don’t talk for a few seconds until Gia breaks the silence.
“I’m sorry about those idiots back there.” She rubs her bare hands together. “It might seem like they’re stirring up trouble, but it’s only because they care about Cristian. We all do. He’s one of the good guys, and he deserves all the happiness in the world.”
“I get that, and you don’t need to apologize.” My breath forms little puffy clouds in the chilly nighttime air as we take a left and step onto a path that cuts across the large shared garden at the rear of both properties. “I’m guessing his ex did a real number on him,” I add, throwing out the bait.
Surprise splays across Gia’s face. “He told you about Aliya?”
I nod. “She sounds like a selfish bitch.”
“Aliya disappointed us all. They were dating for two years, and I thought of her as a friend. She was fun, smart, ambitious. We all thought she really loved Cristian, but she showed her true colors when he adopted Elio. She didn’t say anything at first. We think she thought he wouldn’t go through with it or that the Da Rosa family would take him in. But as soon as the adoption papers were signed and Cristian took Elio home, she changed her tune. I’ve never been so disgusted in another woman. None of us speaks to her anymore.”
“At least she didn’t pretend. That would’ve been worse.” The irony isn’t lost on me.
“True. She spared him that pain, Elio too.”
“I don’t know how anyone could reject either of them. I haven’t known them long, but it’s long enough to know the truth. Any woman would be lucky to have them in her life.”
“Does that sentiment extend to you?” she asks, slowing down as we reach the woods.
I purposely frown. “I’m not sure I follow.”
“Don’t do that. We’ve all seen the looks passing between you. The attraction is obvious.”
“I’m the nanny, Gia. Cristian ismy boss.”
