“And I love that. But I’m talking about our careers and our future.”
His promise means everything to me, but I’m also a pragmatist. It takes everything in me to actively ignore the ever-present thought in my brain of “men will almost always let you down.” I know that doesn’t apply to Gio. Fear creepsin nonetheless, reminding me that I’ve attached myself to yetanothersuccessful man—this time, in my actual industry.
“I don’t want us to publicly reveal our relationship right now, either,” I break the news softly.
Gio raises an eyebrow. “Lamont met his husband at work. He doesn’t have a policy.”
“True. But Lamont is the CEO of his own brand. I don’t want to give him any reason to think I’m slacking off as I figure out my next move. Or for anyone to think I’m dating someone for advantages. I’ve worked so hard to separate myself from Daniel. I want people to think that I’m worthy because of my own skills, not see my successes only in connection with you.” I pause. “It’s important, Gio. This has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me.”
He sighs. “I understand. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
I reach up to caress his cheek. “Thank you.”
“But I don’t have tolikeit.”
I giggle. “I’d expect nothing less.”
Chapter 37
Giovanni
Two years.
One careless sentence I barely remember saying has been hurting the woman I love fortwo years. I turn the memory over and over in my head like I can go back and change it. The words may be hazy, but the pained expression on her face is devastatingly clear. Her dimple disappeared, the fire in her eyes faded, and then that smile I despise, thatpoliteandpracticedsmile, fastened itself to her face.
Tessa may have moved on after my apology, but feelings of guilt still linger inside me as I grapple with the idea that she never knew how much I admired her work—admiredher.
She never knew.Fortwo years.
And I’ll spend a lifetime making it up to her.
Tessa saunters around the bedroom in my plush ivory robe, looking clean and refreshed. Her skin is still slightly damp from the shower. Seeing her step intomyroom, wearingmyrobe, asmygirlfriend, is more than I could’ve hoped. And the thought of what’sunderher robe causes me to adjust my athletic shorts.
She heaves a dramatic sigh. “Your shower is heavenly. I want to live in your shower. I’m thinking of marrying your shower and buying your shower health insurance. Might even give your shower little shower babies. Also, I found ahair dryerin your bathroom. How did you not have a line of women outside your door applying to be your girlfriend?”
I smile, shaking my head. “You need to raise your standards.”
“Well, they’re raised now. They’re as raised as the hills of Brescia.”
“Talk about the hillsonemore time…”
She chuckles, walking toward me. “I’ll never let it go. When I die, my estate lawyer will require you to mention The Hills of Brescia in my eulogy. You’ve scarred me for life, and I must return the favor.”
I snort. “What do you want to do this evening?”
“Definitely not bike,” she mumbles, giving me a cheeky look.
That’sit. I reach out and tickle her sides to a loud squeal before complete silence—my favorite laugh in the world.
“Enough, woman. Enough about the hills!” I shout.
“Okay, okay! Mercy!” she cries, and I remove my hands from her sides.
“Well? Tell me then, what do you want to do for the rest of today?” I pull her to me and rub gentle circles on her back.
“You promised me a call with your parents that never happened. Time to pay up,” Tessa demands.
I grin. It’ll be fun to talk to them now that we’re actually together. I grab her hand and lead her to the couch in the main room. We both sit down, and I retrieve my phone from the coffee table. “You ready?”
