Not expecting that.
“That’s intense. Is that what you’re thinking about? Death?”
“Are you asking for real?—”
“For real.”
“I was appreciating the food,” she said. “The oregano and garlic are strong, but don’t overpower the dish, the intensity of the ripe tomatoes, the full-flavored meat. Then, my thoughts jumped to drinks with Donskoy and our plan, but the intensity in your eyes made me think about how you feel about me… and how I feel about you.”
“Women are complicated creatures.”
“I am, for sure.” She leaned forward. “Sometimes, I have to stop and think about who I am before I speak. That makes a big difference.” After another bite of fish, she asked, “What were you thinking about?”
“You,” he replied. “I was thinking about you.”
She offered an adorable smile. “A fascinating topic.” Then, the light in her eyes faded. “I’ve guarded my heart for a long time. I’m not sure you’re the right person to protect it… in the long run.”
“You won’t know unless you take the leap.”
She nodded slowly. “I know.”
“You have to trust your gut, your heart. I would hope the way I treat you counts for something.”
She stabbed at the small Caesar salad, piercing the romaine with her fork. “It counts a lot.” After a beat, she asked, “Do you ever get scared?”
“No,” he replied. “I have no fear. You?”
She sipped the wine. “I’m not an emotionally-based person. I have to think through and solve problems quickly. I have emotions, but I don’t lead with them. If I’m freaking out about being found out—like at work—I wouldn’t be able to do my job all while doing myactualjob, which is why I’m there in the first place.”
“You’re very smart,” he said.
“Thank you. You’re very smart. Cunning too.”
“In my world, that’s the only way to be,” he said.
Teddy checked on them, topped off their waters, and cleared the appetizer plates.
“I want you to see my life in Italy,” Gabriel said. “The businesses I built from nothing. I need you to go into this with eyes wide open.”
She took the last bite of lasagna, set down her fork. After she swallowed, she peered at him for a few seconds. “I went into Langley’s database and read your file. I haven’t talked to Sydney, but she was named. I know who you are and what you’re about.”
He laid his hand on the table, palm up. She slid her gaze to his hand, then placed hers on top. He closed his fingers aroundhers and gave her a little squeeze. “We have time to figure it all out.”
“If we love each other and we choose each other, we’ll make it work.”
He pulled her hand off the table, leaned over, and kissed her soft skin. “Just a warning… if I set my sights on something—anything—a business venture, a home that’s not on the market, an enemy… and now a woman, I will get my way. I do not lose. Ever.”
“I’m not something you can win.”
“No, that’s where you’re wrong. You are the prize of all prizes. The one person I must work to earn andkeepher love, respect, friendship, and trust every single day for the rest of my life.”
She said nothing, but the silence didn’t concern him. She had however long she needed to choose him.
And she would. He was one hundred percent confident she would.
His phone rang. “This might be about our evening.” He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket, glanced at the screen, and put the call on speaker. “Hello.”
“Mr. Santini?”
