Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Sometimes, Matteo or Sebastian will bring up something about work, but they always stay very vague and talk around situations. I’ve always known there were parts of Nico’s professional life he keeps separate from me. Hospitality, nightlife, restaurant investments, security, he’s always kept it wrapped in vague explanations. For my part, I’ve never asked questions that I don’t want answers to.
Tonight, I catch little glimpses of his professional life in the gaps. They mention a club name I recognize. A problem with a manager. Some complaint about numbers from one location and staffing at another. Matteo says something about a meeting downtown tomorrow and Nico mutters that he’d rather put a fork through his eye.
Sebastian speaks only when he has something to say, which means everyone listens when he does. He doesn’t waste words. I catch myself watching him whenever he talks, like he’s the most fascinating man in the world.
He isn’t charming. Not even a little. And yet there’s something disturbingly compelling about a man who says exactly what he means and not much else.
At one point Matteo asks how work is going, and before I can give my usual vague answer, Nico beats me to it.
“She’s trying to land bigger clients,” he says, like he’s my publicist now. “Luxury hotels, bigger corporate accounts, more high-end private stuff.”
I glare at him. “Thank you for that unauthorized introduction.”
“You’re welcome.” He smirks, tipping his wine to me.
“It’s going well.” I shrug. “I’m busy, which is good. A little exhausting, which is also good, supposedly.”
“It is good,” Nico says.
Matteo laughs into his wine. “He’s very proud of you, you know.”
“Please don’t encourage him,” I say with a wary sigh.
“I’m serious,” Matteo says. Then, with a glance toward Sebastian, “And for what it’s worth, Sebastian is always complaining about mediocre event people, so maybe this is useful timing.”
I look from Matteo to Sebastian. Sebastian meets my eyes across the table.
“Good help is hard to find,” he answers wryly.
I almost laugh. “You don’t mince words, do you?”
“No,” he answers firmly.
“Charming,” I mutter under my breath.
“I’m not trying to be.”
Matteo leans back in his chair, clearly entertained. “He’s impossible to please. I’ve told him this.”
“Then maybe your problem isn’t the event planners,” I challenge, taking another sip of my wine. “Maybe the problem is that you’re a nightmare client.”
Nico laughs so hard he nearly chokes on his wine. Matteo covers his mouth with his hand, shoulders shaking. Even I smile into my glass.
Sebastian does not laugh. He just looks at me with a strange, intent expression that makes my pulse trip over itself.
“Is it so wrong to expect perfection?”
I let out a laugh. “There’s no such thing as a perfect event. Too many variables and personalities to manage. If I don’t have at least three fires to put out on any given night, something is very wrong. My job is to make sure the guests never notice.”
“I notice everything,” he answers definitively.
“Like I said, that sounds like a you problem.”
He watches me with an intrigued, almost tense expression, and I feel a small triumph in it. It’s nice to have my spark back. I can speak my mind with a man without fear of repercussion.
“On that note,” Nico says, clearing his throat. “I’ll go grab the dessert.”
“I’ll get it,” I offer, suddenly needing a little space.
I stand before he can and nearly sprint into the kitchen. I take a deep breath and silently reprimand myself for lusting after my brother’s best friend. That is definitely a stupid move.
When I bring the dessert out, the three of them are whispering among themselves and stop the second they see me. Nicely done, guys. Not suspicious at all. I roll my eyes and set down the plate of cannoli.
We eat dessert quickly, and I realize I’ve actually survived family dinner without much incident. To reward myself, I make my excuses to leave.
“Come on, sis, you can at least stay for a round of Gin Rummy,” Nico complains.
“As much as I’d love to beat you, I really do have an early meeting tomorrow. I want to be fresh.”
“Fine,” he groans. “I’ll see you next week. At least, I’d better.”
I kiss him on the top of his head and head for the door. To my surprise, a chair scrapes behind me. I look over and see Sebastian standing.
“I’ll walk you out,” he offers.
My whole body ignites with nerves. I just nod because I’m speechless. We walk silently through the house until I reach the front door. His presence is so imposing, and he’s even taller than I guessed. Just as I’m about to thank him for the incredibly bizarre gesture, he stops me.
“Listen, I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I’d like to hire you.”
That’s not at all what I expected him to say.
“Okay.” I nod. “What’s the event?”
“A charity gala. You seem like exactly the kind of sharpshooter I need to run it.”