Mia was gone, but Cosimo was still by the bar. He smirked at me and tipped his head in the direction of the dining room.
I found her in there by the salad bar, alone. The moment she noticed me, she stiffened.
“What are you doing?” she said out of the corner of her mouth.
“Rumor is, he had a nasty bout of chlamydia last year. Thought you’d appreciate the heads-up.”
“Who?”
“The guy you were speaking to earlier.”
She let out a sharp breath and glared at me. “Forgive me for thinking you’re full of shit.”
I grinned. I liked her sweetness, but I liked her fire even more.
“You’re swearing. Is that a new thing?”
“I’ve had to expand my vocabulary when it comes to you.” She grabbed a plate at the salad bar and started piling on romaine.
I also grabbed a plate and opened my hand for her to pass me the tongs.
“Romolo, we’re in public. Please leave me alone.”
“Can’t I also get some food? You want me to starve just because you’re here?”
Her lips pressed together. “Fine.”
I started filling my plate. “How have things been the last few days?”
“Busy.” She didn’t look at me.
“You’re not going to ask how my day has been?”
“No. You do realize I had no choice but to show up at this dinner, right?”
“Are you implying I could have bowed out?” I asked. “And miss the opportunity to wear this masterpiece you made for me?”
“A masterpiece? The only thing you said after I gave it to you was, ‘It’ll do.’” A bitter note slipped into her voice.
Ah. That explained the hostility.
Yeah. I’d fucked that up.
“Mia, it’s brilliant. But you know that. You don’t need my validation.”
Her hand stilled over the tomatoes, the serving spoon hovering midair. A flicker of surprise crossed her face before she buried it beneath that cool, composed exterior. “You’re right. I don’t. Just like I don’t need you issuing me warnings about anyone.”
Oh, but she did. She was too trusting. Too naïve. And I didn’t know why I cared.
I’d already done the heroic—blerg—deed of protecting her from my family. Now I wanted to protect her from others?
Maybe I was having a quarter-life crisis?
“Damn it,” I muttered.
She drizzled some dressing onto her salad. “What now?”
“Nothing. By the way, I’m talking to my cousin Caterina this week. You’ll be compensated generously for your work.”
