Page 115 of Denim & Diamonds

I still wasn’t a hundred-percent sure I was going, but February already knew. It made me smile. “I will.”

She blew me a kiss. “Talk to you soon.”

Panic washed over me. “February, wait!”

“What’s the matter?”

“I just…I want to say thank you for being here for me, even when what I need to talk about is hard to swallow.”

“Of course. I care about you. I’ve told you before, but I want you to hear it again. No matter what happens between us, I’d like you to be able to rely on me.”

Theno matter what happens between ushurt like hell, but I couldn’t blame her. “Thanks, Red. Get home safe.”

She winked into the camera. “’Night, DILF.”

CHAPTER 28

February

Giovanni’s butler appeared at my side. “Another limoncello?”

I held out my hand. “Oh, no, thank you. I should probably stop at one.”

Lush greenery surrounded us as I sat with Giovanni’s wife, Francesca, in the backyard of their palatial villa in Milan. Our table was in the middle of a garden. I took a deep breath of the aromatic herbs, a mix of basil, rosemary, and thyme.

Milan was so romantic. Given the circumstances of my life, that was both ironic and sad. I found myself too distracted to truly enjoy being here, my mind constantly wandering to Brock, my chest filled with a gnawing ache. As much as I tried to distract myself, the knowledge that Brock’s life was about to change any minute now consumed me. I still had no real idea what that meant for us. It was hard to imagine how things could ever work between us once his son arrived, but I couldn’t fathom a world without Brock.

I hadn’t heard from him in two days, and my imagination was going wild. Had his son been born? Was the baby okay? Did something happen with the birth? Would Nina pull a fast one and change her mind about raising their son? Would Brock somehow develop feelings for Nina again after he witnessed her giving birth?

It was odd for him not to check in, so I assumedsomethinghad happened.

Francesca interrupted my thoughts. “Everything okay?”

She was about ten years younger than her husband—tall, with long black hair and thick, manicured brows. Giovanni hadn’t joined us, since he had a business meeting. He’d said he wanted me to spend my first full day getting to know his wife. Her question made me realize how transparent my mood was.

My mouth curved into a strained smile as I prepared to answer her question. Was I okay? My first instinct was to lie. But at this point, I felt just about ready to burst, so I decided to tell the truth.

“No. Everything’s not okay, actually, Francesca. And I’m so sorry to bring my emotional baggage to your beautiful home.” My eyes stung, but I did everything in my power not to cry.

“Oh no.” She frowned, seeming genuinely concerned. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m not sure you’re ready for this one.” I laughed sadly.

“Does this have to do with a man?”

“Basically…but it’s complicated. It’s—”

“Trust me. I’ve heard it all. I have a group of close girlfriends who are all single, and you should see thedrama that unfolds in their lives. There’s nothing that could surprise me.”

“My boyfriend is having a baby with another woman,” I blurted.

Francesca snapped her fingers. “Giorgio! More limoncello, please. I don’t care what February says. Sheneedsanother.”

I sighed. She was probably right. Drowning my sorrows was the only hope I had of getting through this day. Thank goodness I wasn’t meeting with Giovanni for official business until tomorrow.

As Giorgio poured me another drink, I began to explain the Brock situation.

“Why haven’t you called him, if you’re concerned?” Francesca asked. “It will make you feel so much better to speak to him.”