Page 89 of The Rebel Billionaire

Have a great time. See you in the morning.

I walk through reception to find Alex already waiting, sitting in a chair, looking at his phone.

“Hi,” I say.

“Elise won’t be joining us this evening,” he says, standing up.

The movement sucks the air from the room. Tonight he’s dressed in beige chinos and a white linen shirt, the sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows, exposing tanned forearms. My mouth waters at the sight.

“She just messaged to let me know.”

I’m beginning to wonder if the friend she’s seeing might be none other than Giovanni Esposito. The two seemed very friendly this afternoon, and when I came back into the room, I could have sworn they looked guilty, jumping apart like two naughty teenagers.

Well, good for her. He seems like a nice guy, and she’s fast becoming one of my favourite people at St Clair. Yesterday and today, she made me feel valued, including me in discussions and trusting my opinion.

“My sister is going to join us for dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”

I stop, causing him to bump into me. His hands come out to steady me, sending jolts of awareness through my body.

“Sorry,” he says.

I turn so I can look up into his face, those deep blue eyes locking on mine.

“No, that was my fault. Are you sure you want me along? I’m happy to order room service. You and your sister can have a family reunion,” I say.

He chuckles. “My sister would never forgive me. We’ve spent the day together. She wants to meet the woman who’s replaced Callie and is keeping her brother on his toes.”

Am I keeping him on his toes?

My stomach warms at his words. He talked to his sister about me?

His forehead wrinkles.

I force a smile. “As long as you’re sure I’m not intruding,” I say.

As we walk to the restaurant, my mind replays everything I’ve learned about Gabriella Bianchi.

She’s the youngest daughter of Sophia and Edoardo Bianchi, thirty-two years old, and is studying for her master’s in fashion design in Italy, where she lives with her father, who recently separated from Sophia, although the reason behind their split is unknown.

Our host appears, showing us to our table, deep in the back of the restaurant. I keep my back to the room, not wanting to draw attention to myself. Although I’m in Italy, according to the latest press release, Harper Frazer has been spotted working on a cattle station in the Australian outback. The absurdity alone made me chuckle, not that I’m against the experience. It sounds like an adventure, but really? Good luck to the paparazzi chasing me down.

Alex stands up as a strikingly beautiful woman makes her way towards us. Alex smiles, pulling her in for a hug.

“It’s only been a few hours,” she says, swatting his chest.

Her accent surprises me, as she’s more American-sounding than her brother.

“Hey, I miss not having you around to keep Mother in check,” he says.

“I just have to keep Papà going instead,” she says.

“How’s he doing?”

“Still moping around, hoping she’ll come to her senses.”

His eyes flick to mine, and I drop my gaze to the table, clearly overhearing something that’s a private and personal family matter.

“Gabbi, let me introduce you to Brooke. Brooke, this is my baby sister Gabriella.”