The corner of his mouth lifts. “Trust me, there’s nothing about you I can ever forget.” He kisses my forehead. “Ready?”
I’m apprehensive as he leads me to the boardroom. After yesterday’s surprise, I’m not sure what to expect today.
He opens the door and lets me enter. When I step over the threshold, I stop dead in my tracks. The woman who sits at the boardroom table is the one I saw with Dante, the one he took to the Italian restaurant.
“Tatiana.” Dante places a hand on my back and guides me deeper into the room. “I’d like you to meet Lexi.”
The blonde stands and offers me a wide smile and a hand. “Mrs. Morici, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Snapping out of the shock that immobilizes me, I force myself to shake her hand.
I look at Dante for an explanation as we sit down.
“Lexi has done some headhunting for me before.” He cups my hand where it rests on the table. “I took the liberty of asking her to put together a list of candidates for your new business.”
My lips part. “My new business?”
He locks his fingers around my wrist and rubs a thumb over my pulse point. “The home organizing venture.”
For some reason, I find the way in which he touches me hotter than if he’d held my hand. The caress is so him, both dominant and soothing. It makes it hard for me to focus on anything else.
“What?” I ask through dry lips.
His smile is patient. “You said you wanted a job. This is what you’re good at.”
“Do you mean…?”
He tightens his hold on my arm, making my heartbeat quicken. “My lawyer will help with the setup and registration. Lexi can help with employing the right people. I have no doubt you’ll make a success of it.” He adds with a gentle note, “If that’s what you want.”
Lexi pushes a file toward me. “From the briefing Dante gave me, I’ve selected good candidates for the finance and HR departments as well as the executive staff. We can refine and expand the organogram to fit your business vision and professional needs. I’m here to listen and advise you. It’s my job to make sure you get the best possible team to help you succeed.”
Dante’s deep voice fills every part of me. “What do you think, Tatiana?”
I’m thinking how relieved I am, how stupid I’ve been to be jealous, to not have trusted my husband. I’m thinking how grateful I am, and how lucky. I’m thinking how guilty I feel for ever doubting him when I should’ve simply looked into my heart for the truth. I’m also thinking how scared yet excited I am, and how strangely nostalgic this feels but also right.
I put my free hand on his thigh. “Thank you.”
His muscles bunch beneath my palm, his gaze devouring me. “Happy birthday again, darling.”
We talk about the global vision and service offerings I have in mind. I’m surprised how clear everything is in my head. I already know the mission statement and what I want to achieve. All I have to do is put everything on paper.
Building a business from scratch, an enterprise that will be mine, is exhilarating. The challenge not only gives me the sense of purpose and independence I wanted but also freedom and joy. Lexi, who has extensive experience in getting startups on their feet, pledges her services until the new business is running smoothly.
When we wrap up the meeting, Lexi comes around the table to shake hands on the deal. “I’m looking forward to working with you, Mrs. Morici. I have to say, when Dante told me about the project, I got really excited about it. I was worried you’d have your own contacts and might’ve preferred to work with someone else. I’m glad it’s me. I believe the business has great potential, and I’m honored to be part of the creation.”
“Please, call me Tatiana. I’m looking forward to working with you too.” I can’t help but notice her stylish black dress and killer heels. She looks as if she’s just stepped out of a fashion magazine. “Nice shoes, by the way.”
“Thanks.” She flashes a row of pearly, straight teeth. “They’re Dior.” Winking, she whispers, “I got them on sale.”
Oh, I like her. I get the feeling we’ll make a good team.
Dante has a bottle of champagne waiting on ice. He must’ve been sure that Lexi and I would get on.
He was right.
He knows me better than anyone.
As I clink my glass to his, my heart overflows with gratitude. Can life get any better than this? Despite the memory loss and the demons my mind can’t face, I’m deliriously happy. I have Dante and Noah—my precious, beautiful family—and soon, I’ll be my own boss. Reality is even better than when I was a lovesick girl who dreamed about becoming Dante’s wife. I’m unarguably the luckiest woman alive.
