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“With Percy, I did,” he trilled.
Percy shook his head. “Ellis was hitting it fat.”
“Higher than four,” Mr. Belfiore mused. “Ellis had many excuses for why he lost.”
“Yes, he did, but the only reason he lost is that he’s lousy,” Percy said and snickered.
Mr. Belfiore laughed, an easy, light laugh like he often shared with Glenn when they discussed golf anecdotes. And I couldn’t help but see my future. I’d become like Mama with Glenn. At one time, I thought that kind of life was great. That was until Rocco showed me a different world. And in a way, I hated that I’d seen it and now coveted it.
I fidgeted with the buttons on my sweater as fear slid through me and churned my stomach. Percy and my grandfather’s relationship seemed solid, and I had somehow underestimated it. Our wedding also seemed more likely to happen soon.Does Rocco know what’s going on? Does he even care?
I swallowed and turned away from the three of them to mask my own feelings of anguish I couldn’t dare show. It would only upset my grandparents. Besides, Rocco wanted out of the marriage, so why dwell on my heartbreak?
“So, how’s life treating you in New York City?” Mrs. Belfiore asked Percy in a light tone.
He gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Not as good as North Carolina. There’s nothing like home.”
“Yes, but many are called to a greater purpose,” Mr. Belfiore said. “Yours is here in New York. You’re making great inroads here, shifting our courts in a moderate direction.”
Percy chuckled. “I am, but let’s not bore thegirlswith shoptalk.”
Grandmother’s smile went tight.
“True,” Mr. Belfiore said and clasped Percy’s shoulder. “Let’s have lunch.”
He went to my grandmother’s side, and they murmured to each other as they left the room, leaving me with Percy.
“Shall we, Miss Adelina?” He placed his hand on the small of my back.
I froze. Rocco threatened to break Janus in half for touching my face, but here was Percy already touching me.Rocco did the same…No, it was different. He came over and signed our marriage license.
I turned and peered at him. His blond hair had varying shades, something I hadn’t noticed before, though he styled it gelled back above his collar as in his online pictures.
He flicked his eyes down my body with a flirtatious smirk.
I turned away with a huff, but could still hear his soft chuckle. “I know I didn’t offend you by admiring your beauty, or are you playing shy?”
I grimaced. Percy didn’t seem the insecure type, and I had no idea why he thought I’d flirt with him. “I only just met you, Mr. Sterling.”
“Hmph. We’ll you’re no shrinking violet. We both know you’ve beenliving withRocco Marini.” He snickered.
Heat flooded my cheeks, and I stopped walking. “What do you mean by that?”
“You’re amodernkind of woman, that’s all,” he said as if that explained it. But we resumed walking, and he kept his hands to himself this time.
We reached the dining room, and Percy held out my seat. Mr. Belfiore gave him an approving look as I sat down, making me believe Percy had done it more for him than me.
Servers brought out burrata salads, and Percy asked for a neat whiskey while we all chose sparkling water to have with our grilled white fish, salsa, and beans.
“I hadn’t realized you were a dry house,” Percy said, then took a sip and placed his glass back down.
“Not all of us,” Mr. Belfiore said. “Constance and I plan to go riding after our lunch. Adelina never drinks.”
“You concerned you’ll get your father’s demons?” he asked me, and I prickled while Mrs. Belfiore tutted.
Percy tapped his fingers on the table. “I hadn’t realized it was a touchy subject. Addiction is a plague in many families, and we Sterlings also have a few souls led astray: my uncle and two of my cousins. Rehab didn’t work for them but at least it helped your father, Adelina. That’s a blessing.”
I glared over at him, and pressed my lips together.