Page 81 of Thiago

“Thank you, Richmond. This has been an enlightening conversation. I always appreciate you letting me know about the incredible pool of talented executives in your database.”

“I love my job bridging the gap between employers and employees. If what I hear about this candidate is true, I figured her current employer wouldn’t want to lose her. They might want to counter any offer she receives.”

“Yes, they might. I appreciate the call. I’ll send you a bottle of Don Bene on Monday.”

“Perfect. My in-laws are visiting next week, and a bottle of Don Bene will impress the hell out of my father-in-law. Appreciate it,hombre. Talk to you later.”

Thiago disconnected the call. Remaining very still, he kept going over the conversation in his mind and circling back to one glaring fact.

India was good at keeping secrets.

Chapter Thirty-Two

India paced the living room with the phone to her ear. She had been restless all night, unable to sit still or concentrate. She had big plans and needed to talk to Kiara about her decision.

“Hey, girl,” Kiara chirped when she answered.

One of her boys was crying in the background.

“You sound busy,” India said.

“I’m not. Josiah is throwing a tantrum because I wouldn’t let him eat a dead fly.”

India laughed. “The life and hard times of a one-year-old.”

“Tell me about it. What’s up?” The sound of the crying toddler faded as her friend moved away from him.

“I want to have The Conversation with Thiago about our feelings and our future. What do you think? Am I crazy?” She had taken a shower a few moments before in anticipation of Thiago’s arrival and continued pacing the living room in her lavender kimono.

“Crazy in love,” Kiara quipped.

“I’m serious! You would tell me if I’m being an idiot, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course, and you’re not being an idiot. You’re the smartest person I know.”

“How smart was I to fall in love with my boss?”

Having a good friend like Kiara meant being able to bare her soul, and when she’d told Kiara she was in love with Thiago, her friend hadn’t judged. Instead, she’d asked her what she loved about him, and India had paused, heat filling her cheeks as she expounded.

“I respect him. I respect his toughness and his drive. And there are moments—glimpses of genuine human kindness that peek through the tough guy act every now and then. He has a wicked sense of humor. He always smells good. His laugh is… addictive. His smile is gorgeous. He’s gorgeous. It’s obvious he cares a lot about his family. They’re close, and any man who loves his family like that, who shows such respect and deference to his stepmother, can’t be all bad.”

“He’s definitely easy on the eyes,” Kiara said.

“I already said he was gorgeous, Kiara.”

“I’m just agreeing,” her friend said, laughing mischievously.

“Stop being so hard on yourself,” Kiara scolded.

India sighed. “I don’t plan to embarrass myself and profess my love for him, but I at least want to know where we stand, to know if we’re on the same page, you know what I mean?”

She didn’t need bold promises or a grand declaration of love right now. She simply wanted clarity, enough to know if the man who had become the center of her universe saw her as more than a sexual indulgence.

“I do. Basically, is this relationship going somewhere? Leading to marriage, maybe?”

“Exactly. You understand what I mean.” She stopped and stared out the window. “Of course, there’s the other issue.”

“The job offer.”