Chapter Six
A few days later, Julia checked the messages on her phone from the window seat on a public bus. She wasn’t worried about missing her stop since she knew the route well. This was a ride she took as many days as she could. Down to the Diamond District with her bag that doubled as a display case for her jewelry.
Her phone rang.
“Julia.” Her father’s ever-cheerful voice rang clear across the miles. “What are you up to today?”
She smiled into the phone. “The usual. I try to pitch to one new jewelry store each day.”
“You must be a pro by now.”
“Or something,” she said with some irony. She didn’t know if she was getting better at pitching her jewelry, but she was definitely becoming more experienced doing it.
“I am so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. Eventually one of the stores is going to buy my line. Or, I will have the dubious title of being one of the few people who has met every single jeweler in New York City.”
“Just be yourself, Julia. That’s the best sales pitch.”
“I’m not sure I should take advice from someone Mom used to hide from customers.”
“That’s only because when they asked me for my opinion I would give them my honest answer. Your mother is much more diplomatic than I am.”
“How is she?”
Her father was quiet for a moment. “She had a good day yesterday. I took her to the ocean. Do you remember the beach she always took you to when you were little? The one with the abandoned stone building next to it? You used to picnic in front of it. Then you always begged her to take you inside. She’d tell you that it wasn’t a good idea, but the two of you would go in anyway. She told me it was your fault. You used to pretend you knew the last owners and would insist that you’d promised you would take care of their old place. Your mother always did have a weak spot for dreamers.”
“She told you that yesterday?”
“No, honey, she didn’t remember the place.”
Julia bit her lip and looked sadly down at her lap. For just a moment, she had let herself believe in what she knew was impossible. “I thought you said she was doing much better on her new medication.”
Her father’s tone was gentle. “She is. We had a good day together. That’s what’s important right now. She’s happy. That’s all I care about. I want that for you too, Julia. Whether it’s in New York or here with us . . . whether you sell every piece of jewelry you make, or you discover you want something else entirely, it doesn’t matter. Just find something that makes you happy.”
The bus began to fill and a woman sat down in the seat next to Julia. The glare the woman gave her was a not-so-subtle hint to end the call. “I have to go, Dad. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Julia was about to return her phone to her purse when it rang again. “Did you forget something?” she asked with a laugh.
“Julia,” a familiar male voice said, sending instant shivers of desire through her.
“Mr. Andrade?”
“Call me Gio. I need to see you tonight.”
“About my job?”
“No,” he said simply, and Julia felt her face warm with embarrassment.
“I work the overnight shift,” she said and turned her face toward the window of the bus.
“I’m sure your boss will understand if you call in sick.”
Julia chewed her bottom lip, then said, “This isn’t a good idea.”
“No, it’s a very, very bad idea, but one I hope you find as irresistible as I do. Say yes, Julia.”
And there it was—confirmation of the desire she thought she’d seen in his eyes. Her body clamored in response to the knowledge that their attraction was mutual. Perhaps because she was fresh from speaking with her family, but his offer—although tempting—was one that she knew she had to refuse. “I can’t.” She grasped at a reason. “I don’t like to call in. I would feel too guilty to enjoy myself.”
“Tomorrow night then.”
“I’m scheduled every night straight through the weekend.”
Impatiently, Gio said, “Am I missing something? Your file said you were single.”
Irked by his assumption that she should jump at an invitation from him, Julia said, “Is it inconceivable that a woman would say no to you, Mr. Andrade?”
“This isn’t about any woman. It’s about you.”
Julia swallowed hard. This is real. How easy would it be to say yes to him? To temporarily forget about why I’m in New York City? To throw caution to the wind just this once?
Then what?
He rarely dated a woman long enough to be photographed with her more than once.
I don’t want to be just another name on some rich man’s list of conquests. “Considering the women you’re usually seen with, I’m flattered. But my answer is no, Mr. Andrade.”
Julia hung up the phone and held it against her chest.
The woman next to her looked over and asked, “Married man?”
Julia shook her head.
“Old and ugly?”
Julia smiled. “He’s actually gorgeous.”
“Then you are a fool, honey. It’s hard to find a man in the city.”
The bus pulled over to her stop. Julia stood, squeezed past everyone, and exited the bus with a sigh of relief. I’m glad I said no. Even if he were the last single man in New York City, it wouldn’t matter because I didn’t come here to find a man. There will be plenty of time for all of that after I sell my jewelry line.
I can find a nice guy back in Rhode Island. Someone who will love me the way my father loves my mother. Unconditionally. And through the good as well as the bad times.
Anything less than that is a waste of my time.
You keep telling yourself that, Julia.
You might even begin to believe it.
* * *
A week later, Gio sat at the desk in his office, drumming the fingers of one hand on Julia’s file. He’d asked her out and she’d refused. That should’ve been the end of it. Honestly, he should have been grateful she’d turned him down. Calling her had been a mistake. Actually sleeping with her would have been an even bigger one.
He’d tried to get her out of his head.
He’d called a well-known Broadway actress who had slipped him her number a few months ago while he’d been on a date with someone else. At the time he’d thought she was stunningly beautiful. However, only two minutes in the phone call, he’d realized he no longer had any interest in her.
A week of ignoring the problem hadn’t made it go away.
There was only one woman he wanted.
One woman who was killing his ability to enjoy all others.
Julia.
“Rena, please have Julia Bennett come to my office as soon as she arrives tonight.”
“Regarding a security concern, Gio? Gerry may still be in his office. Would you like me to call down and check?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. Just send up Miss Bennett.”
Rena was quiet for a moment, a telltale sign that she wanted to ask him about it. Finally, she replied, “Okay.”
Anticipation built within Gio as he waited for Julia. He had to see her again. He had to know if he’d completely misread the signals from her.
What if she is as uninterested as she claims to be?
Did I only see what I wanted to see?
No, I didn’t imagine anything. She may have reasons why she thinks she doesn’t want to be with me, but it’s not because she isn’t attracted. I saw the way she looked at me.
There was a light knock on the door. “Gio, Miss Bennett is here to see you.”
“Send her in,” Gio said, hoping he didn’t sound as excited as he felt about the prospect.
Dressed in her tan security uniform, Julia stepped into his office.
Rena hovered near the door.
“That’ll be all, Rena,” Gio said.
With obvious reluctance, Rena closed the door.
“You wanted to see me, Mr. Andrade?” Julia asked, sounding more than a little apprehensive about it.
“Come here, Julia.”
Her eyes widened and she didn’t move.
He walked toward her. He stopped just a few inches from her. Close enough that he could feel her breath become more erratic. “I told myself to leave you alone, but I can’t stop thinking about you.” He ran the back of his hand down one of her cheeks and heard her catch her breath.
* * *
Julia jumped as the door behind them crashed open and a tiny, visibly pregnant woman entered with Rena at her heels.
Visibly agitated, Rena said, “I’m so sorry, Gio, I told her you were in a meeting. She wouldn’t wait.”
The little brunette braced herself with one hand on her lower back. “I wouldn’t be here if you were answering any of my calls.”
Oh, my God. Tell me this isn’t what I think it is.
“I’ll handle this, Rena,” Gio said and turned away from Julia to address the woman whom Julia prayed was not carrying his child.
Although, really, maybe it’s for the best.
I was beginning to waver there.
So, thank you, nameless pregnant lady.
“I should go,” Julia said and edged toward the door.
Gio pinned her with his hot gaze. Oh, no, you cannot give me that look while fending off someone you knocked up. I’m outta here.
“This will only take a moment,” Gio said and turned his attention back to the other woman. They stood in front of the now-closed door, effectively blocking Julia’s exit. “You shouldn’t have come here, Madison.”
“I had to.”
Awkward.
“I’ve tried to be kind about it, but now I’ll be blunt. Stop calling me. I’m not interested.”
Oh, my God. I guess I knew that someone who dated so many people would be jaded, but he’s a complete asshole.
“If you don’t come, your brothers might back out, also.”
What?
Okay, now I’m officially lost. This fight needs CliffsNotes.
“I won’t take no for an answer, Gio. This is too important.”
“It’s a wedding. They’ll survive my absence.”
“Stephan wants the whole family there.”
“I’ve seen Stephan once in the last five years. I don’t really care what he wants.”
“Then do it for me.”
Oh, pumpkin, he is so close to telling you that he doesn’t care about you either. Why would you do that to yourself? The petite woman shook her head sadly. “Whatever anger you’re holding on to, let it go for one day.” She rested a hand on her stomach and said, “The next generation will look to us for guidance about what it means to be a family. We are family, Gio, even if you don’t want us to be.”
The more Julia looked at both of them, the more similarities she saw in their features. If this woman wasn’t carrying Gio’s child, who was she to him?
There was such pain in Gio’s eyes, it threw Julia into an emotional tailspin. It was hard enough to stay away from him when she thought of him as nothing more than an insanely attractive man with the hots for her. If he kept looking at the woman next to him like she was ripping his heart out, she was a goner for sure. She held her breath and waited for Gio’s answer.
“Your father understands why I won’t attend. So does your uncle,” Gio said coldly, his tone not reflecting the hurt in his eyes.
The little brunette’s eyes misted over and Julia felt hers do the same. She had no idea what was keeping their families apart, but she would have given anything to help them through something that was obviously tearing at both of them.
“No, they don’t. They love you. You have no idea how happy they were to see you at Alethea’s engagement party.”
“I’ve given you the only answer you’ll get from me. Now, please. Go.”
Wiping away a stray tear, Madison put her hand on the door to open it. “I don’t know why you’re so angry, Gio.”
“Then you’re the lucky one in this,” Gio said in an icy tone.
Looking somewhat deflated, Madison opened the door and left.
Whatever attraction Julia had felt for Gio was overshadowed by the emotion of the moment. She thought of her own family and how desperately she missed them, and burst out, “You can’t let her go like that.”
Face tight with anger, Gio didn’t look away from the door. “It’s none of your concern.”
“She’s pregnant.”
Turning some of the anger on Julia, Gio growled, “A condition that had no relevance in my decision.”
Julia threw up both of her hands in the air. “No relevance? You just threw a crying, pregnant woman out of your office.”
“Enough. I didn’t bring you here for this.”
As loving as her family was, they called a spade a spade without remorse or hesitation. She’d been raised to appreciate the value of an honest opinion, and New York wasn’t going to change that. The air that had been heavy with anticipation and attraction now crackled with more volatile emotions. “You know what your problem is?”
His eyes narrowed and he waited.
“I bet people don’t tell you when you’re behaving badly.” Julia shook her head. “That was wrong. You should call her and apologize. I don’t know what went on with your family, but I can’t believe it was her fault. You shouldn’t take it out on her.”
For a moment Gio said nothing. “Is that it?”
No. Julia thought of how much she missed being able to talk to her mother, and that feeling gave her the courage to voice her thoughts. “If you’re lucky enough to have family that loves you enough to chase you and beg you to come to their wedding, you should go. She was right. Whatever you’re holding onto, you could put it aside for one day.”
“That’s a lot of advice from someone who knows nothing about the situation.” His eyes were lit with a fire she couldn’t decipher.
She held his eyes and defended herself. “I know that at the end of the day, family is all that matters. You’re right, though. I don’t know your situation and I don’t know you. Maybe you and I don’t share the same definition of family.”
Without looking away, he took out his cell phone. He punched in a number, then waited, neither of them moving while it rang. “Madison. I’ve changed my mind. I will be attending the wedding. No, I’m sure my brothers will have the information. Yes, put me down for two.” After listening to response on the other end of the line, Gio ended the call and replaced his phone in his breast pocket.
A sense of triumph filled Julia, followed by a pang of jealousy as she wondered who he’d be taking to the event.
“The wedding is in two weeks. We’ll fly out the day before it.”
“Me?” Julia swayed. “Where is the wedding?”
“It’s on an island off the coast of Italy. And, yes, you. You’re the one who thought it was important that I attend.”
Oh, no, no, no. “I—we can’t do that.”
“Because?”
Because Italy means flying somewhere together and I can barely keep my hands off you now. “Because I work for you?” she practically squeaked. “You have a no-dating policy.”
“An easy enough problem to solve. You’re fired.”
“You can’t fire me. I need this job.”
“Then we have a problem, because I’m not going to the wedding without you.” He walked over until he once again stood so close that all she had to do was lean forward ever so slightly to be flush against him. Tip her head up just a fraction to make their lips would touch. “What would it take to get you to come with me?” His words hung between them, their dual meaning raising the heat in the room. He ran a light finger down the curve of her cheek and caressed the outline of her lips.
Julia shook her head free and backed up. Cornered, she blurted, “I’m not that kind of woman.”
A corner of his mouth curled in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “What kind of woman are you?”
“The kind who is smart enough to know this is a bad idea. I want to say yes.” She took another step back. Being near him had her body humming with a need that scared her. As it often did when she was nervous, her mouth got ahead of her brain. “I mean, look at you. Who wouldn’t want to say yes?” She bumped into the table with the lamp from their first encounter, and those memories only agitated her more. “But if I sleep with you once, I’ll sleep with you twice. And then I’ll get attached to you. You’ll want to move on to the next woman and I’ll be all clingy. Trust me, it’ll get awkward.” She touched her lips and imagined his kiss. “I can’t do this.”
With that, she bolted out of the room.