Page 126 of Say It Isn't So

Bianca:Okay, so before you go announcing you have to run, too, I’m saying goodbye.

Maria:You never did like to be the last one standing. You can have this one. I love you, Bibi!

Bianca:Love you, too!

I put my phone down again and my gaze met Knox’s.

He smiled. “You’re smiling. Everything okay now?”

“Mmhmm. What’s on your agenda today?” I asked.

He visibly cringed. “I have to run into the office and tie up a few loose ends before I leave for London.”

“Promotion-related?”

He nodded. “I’m so close. I can taste it. Just a few more of these fashion weeks, a few more big deals and it’ll all be mine.” When he stopped talking, his face suddenly looked pinched, and I couldn’t understand why.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head. “Sorry, I feel like an idiot. Here I am going on about a promotion and you—”

I raised a finger in the air and bent it at the knuckle, slowly pointing it at him. “Don’t you dare! Don’t feel bad for me. Don’t feel guilty. They are two entirely separate matters. You deserve this. I’m in a good place. Sure, I no longer work atBellissima, but I’m about to launch my wedding dress line. It may be bittersweet, but I’m actually excited about it. Hey, maybe that’s what I’ll call it—Bittersweet.”

“You won’t use your name?”

I shrugged. “Sure, but the collection will need a name.”

“I like it.”

“Me, too. Now get going so you can get home,” I said, standing and walking to the bathroom so I could shower and start my day.

Coming up behind me, Knox wrapped his arms around my waist and spun me. “Not before I have a kiss.” He pressed his lips against mine and pulled back. It was quick, but even I knew we couldn’t handle more, not if Knox was going to get to work.

* * *

As the day progressed, I made headway on a few things Bianca Morelli—my wedding dress brand.

I contacted our family lawyer to get the paperwork started.

I hired a graphic designer to make a logo and build a website.

I reached out to a few people I knew who might be able to help with other start-up matters.

I even set up appointments with different textile suppliers in Europe.

All in all it was a good day, a productive day. And a miracle I got it all done. Somewhere around lunchtime, I was hit with a gnarly headache. Migraine was more like it.

Then my stomach started feeling sick.

I chalked it all up to nerves. And Angelo. For some reason, I kept thinking about him. Maybe it started when I talked to our lawyer and he asked me about my father. I gave some vague answer and tried to quickly change the subject. Thankfully he took the hint and let it go, but it still rattled me. Angelo had no idea about any of this.

In the past, he would’ve been the first person I talked to about it all, getting his advice and whatnot, but now I was moving full steam ahead without any of his input.

But it was all his fault, I reminded myself and tried to quash the nausea.

Knox wasn’t due home for another hour or so and I couldn’t help but think a bubble bath would help make me feel better, so as a reward for all my hard work, I drew myself one.

* * *

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