“Liana, you don’t have to?—”
“No, it’s fine,” I say, cutting Teo off. “I have a wedding to plan, so you can imagine how busy I am. You’ll receive your invites soon with all the information.”
Holding out my coat, Massimo helps me get into it, then grabs my purse and hands it to me.
“I’ll see you guys later,” I say, and allow Massimo to lead me out of the restaurant, hand in hand.
Once we’ve stepped out into the night, I turn to Massimo and pull my hand from his grasp. “What were you thinking coming here?” I demand.
“I told you. I needed to get you your ring. Plus, I figured you could use some support telling your family about us.”
“How did you even know we were here?”
“Good guess?”
“Condition number one,” I remind him.
He lets out a steamy breath of air that dissipates into the cool night. “Fine. I called every restaurant I knew you could be at asking if there was a reservation under DiMaggio.”
My jaw drops open. “Seriously?”
Massimo shrugs. “It wasn’t hard. I only had to call three places before I found your reservation. You’re a creature of habit, and I know this is one of your favorite restaurants.”
I narrow my gaze, not liking the fact he knows this is one of my favorite places to eat. “I feel like giving that information to someone has to be illegal.”
“Nothing’s illegal for a man like me,belleza.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t call me that.”
“Why not? Does it bring back memories you’ve spent years trying to bury?”
I lift my chin. “Yes, terrible ones, so stop calling me that.”
Massimo takes a step toward me, invading my space. I should take a step back, but I hold my ground, not willing to show any weakness to this man. Sliding a finger underneath my chin, he lifts it just a hair and gazes deep into my eyes. The vulnerability I feel from the intimate act doesn’t sit well with me, but I do my best to push that feeling as deep down as I can, in hopes it’ll never resurface again.
“I don’t think you mean that. That night, you wanted me just as bad as I wanted you.” He lowers his head so his lips are nearly touching mine. When he speaks, his hot breath skims across mymouth, making me want more. “We shared something special. You’d be wise to stop fighting it. After all, we are about to become husband and wife.”
Those words pull me out of the moment, and I push him back.
“On paper only.You’dbe wise to remember that.”
A deep chuckle leaves his lips. “Whatever you say,mia moglie.”
Rolling my eyes, I turn around, ignoring him. As I walk down the street, he calls out to me. “Where are you going?”
“Home,” I say over my shoulder.
“Let me drive you.”
Hurried footsteps sound from behind me until Massimo is grabbing me by my arm, spinning me around.
“I only live a few blocks from here,” I say.
Massimo eyes the nude heels I’m wearing. “I know that, but you sure you want to walk in those shoes, and on a chilly night like tonight?”
“I said three blocks, not three miles. We’re so close I can see my apartment from here.”
“Fine, then I’ll walk with you.”
