Page 50 of Tailored for You

With the three of them gone, Martina pointed to the table.

“Sit.” She jabbed a finger at the chairs and walked back to the kitchen.

“Come on,” Enzo said, placing a hand on my lower back and guiding me back to the table. “I want to see your designs.”

I did my best to focus on Enzo, but I couldn't shake the dark cloud that had settled over lunch.

Eyes were on me, from other guests of New York high society to Charles. I didn’t need to turn around to know he was staring; it was like a sear across my back.

“Can we leave?” I asked, and guilt hit me. Enzo spent half his day with me, never leaving my side and giving me space to work. I didn’t want to come across as ungrateful, but the faster I got out of this restaurant, the easier I could breathe.

“Yes.” He nodded, standing up and coming around to my side of the table. “But only if you really want to. Not because others are making you feel uncomfortable in places they don’t belong.”

“It’s not that,” I said. Enzo helped pull my chair out, and I stood. He reached for my hand, guiding me out of La Luna.

The minute the door closed behind us, the cloud that hung over me disappeared, chased away by the sunshine.

“Serena,” Minnie called out.

I cleared my throat, turning to her as she hurried out after us.

“Hey, Minnie,” I said, trying and failing to smile at her. I needed to get away from her—not because of Minnie herself, but because Charles would follow, and I didn’t have another confrontation in me.

“Oh, sweetheart, I hate that he’s like this.” She took my free hand, her eyes dropping where Enzo still held the other, a smile spreading across her face. “If I could, I’d beat some sense into him, but to be honest, I don’t think that would work either. Anyway, I wanted to check on you. Lord knows when Apple is around, I want to hide. She’s vile, but I’m on a number of charity boards with her mother, and I need to keep the peace.”

I nodded. Minnie had outlined it all early in my relationship with Charles.

“This isn’t the time, but can we have lunch or dinner sometime soon? Charles’ finances will change, but that will not affect his financial responsibilities to you.” Minnie placed a hand lightly on my arm. “You will always have Chuck and me.”

“What do you mean? Is there something I should be worried about?” I asked, suddenly panicking, my thoughts racing through everything Charles was required to cover.

“You are taken care of, I promise. Harper’s school and the financial support, which isn’t enough in my opinion, won’t change at all.” Minnie sighed, tilting her head to the sky. “We warned him to get his act together. That showing up to work wasn’t enough.” She stared at me, lips in a tight line, and shrugged. “There’s a morality clause in his trust fund that we can exercise if we feel it’s appropriate. It’s gotten to that point.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, alarm bells ringing in my head.

“He’s a father. He has a child and responsibilities to Harper. You should have told me he wasn’t exercising his visitation, that he wasn’t showing up when he was supposed to. Instead, he’s out,” she waved her hand around before bringing it back to my wrist and giving it a soft squeeze, “partying and making every excuse under the sun on why he’s a terrible father and Chuck and I won’t allow it anymore.”

The door slammed open. Charles stormed out, face flushed.

“This is a mistake, Mom,” he snarled at Minnie. He trailed her arm to where it touched me. With a menacing step forward, he sent me the most hateful stare I’d ever received. “This is all your fault.”

Enzo was in front of me, blocking Charles. “Take a step back.”

“Or what?” Charles challenged.

Frozen, I waited to see what Enzo would do. He was stronger, faster, and I had no doubt that he could wipe the floor with Charles.

“Charles,” Apple called out as she exited the restaurant. “My driver is coming around the corner.” She looked at Minnie, and it was like I didn’t exist to her, which was fine by me. “Minnie, always a pleasure,” she said with as much of a smile as her Botoxed face would allow.

“Is it though?” Minnie said with a wince.

Apple walked to the curb, Charles following her. Their heads were bent together, whispering and glancing back at us until a black town car pulled up.

“Well, I think I’ll go have a martini.” Minnie turned and walked back into La Luna.

Donovan pulled up a moment later. Enzo ushered me into the car.

Enzo leaned toward me, placing his arm on the headrest, almost wrapping it around me. “Are you okay?”