Page 31 of Sincerely Not Yours

To: harrison.ryan@ryan&ryan.com

From: gianna.ricci@ryan&ryan.com

Re: Today’s Meeting with Fragrance Fusions

Harris,

We gave Starsky and Hutch a run for their money! I’m on an adrenaline high . . . or I might have had one too many cups of coffee this morning. Either way, I’m feeling good and excited about the progress today. What other vendors can we bring in to talk about cost savings?

Slightly going off the rails,

Gigi

To: gianna.ricci@ryan&ryan.com

From: harrison.ryan@ryan&ryan.com

Re: Today’s Meeting with Fragrance Fusions

Gigi,

I’ve got a list. But first, I think we should celebrate our win today. Dinner on the company? Are you a seafood fan? Steak? There’s a restaurant a few blocks from the office with a killer shrimp cocktail and ribeye. Plus, their dessert menu is to die for.

Counting down the minutes to happy hour,

Harris

To: harrison.ryan@ryan&ryan.com

From: gianna.ricci@ryan&ryan.com

Re: Today’s Meeting with Fragrance Fusions

Harris,

I’m in! You had me at “dessert menu.”

Tiramisu is my spirit animal,

Gigi

“You ordered how many desserts?” Nonna asked, her brow lifting to her silver hairline. She stood in front of the stove, stirring a pot of simmering marinara. It was Friday night Yappy Hour at Gigi’s apartment. Christmas music played softly in the background. Gigi was at the kitchen counter, assembling homemade ravioli. Alice and Paige lingered close, margaritas in hand, their knitting projects abandoned in the living room.

“Seven,” Gigi confirmed, adding fresh, chopped basil to the mixing bowl full of ricotta, mascarpone, parmesan, and egg. She smiled, recalling the table for two that’d been overflowing with sweet masterpieces. “I told Harris I couldn’t choose between the tiramisu and the crème brûlée, so he ordered one of every dessert on the menu. We had a few bites of each, and he sent all the leftovers home with me so we could finish them tonight.”

“I like him already.” Nonna gave a swift, approving nod.

Alice sighed with her whole chest. “That’s so sweet.”

Paige—ever the skeptic—leaned back against the counter and tilted her head. “I’m not approving until we get to meet him. Sorry. I said what I said.” She sipped her drink and popped herlips. “He’s not winning me over with desserts, no matter how good they are. I need to judge this man for myself. He needs to be worthy of you. You are an absolute catch, and he better know that.”

Gigi picked up the mixing bowl and cradled it in her arm. “He’s not—” She took hold of the spatula and started stirring, images of Harris rolling through her mind. For a second, she forgot her point. Because she couldn’t think of what Harris wasn’t. He checked so many of her boxes. “He’s my boss.”

“I think that’s an excuse,” Alice said, calling Gigi out. “I think you’re letting a certain bad relationship sour you to the potential of something good.”

Gigi grimaced. “It was areallybad relationship,” she replied, referring to Keith. Gigi didn’t have to say his name. Her friends and Nonna knew exactly who she was referring to.

“Uck, Keith,” Nonna added, like she’d just eaten moldy bread. “I never liked him.”

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