Page 83 of Say It Isn't So

I understood what she was saying, and she was in luck because no one else had asked me to do anything nearly as cool. “I will go to your store now and we’ll make sure you’re satisfied with your advertorial. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“Bianca, I’m never worried. I trustBellissimaand your family implicitly. It’s why I do paid advertising exclusively with your magazine.”

“And we’re so appreciative of your continued support.”

“All right, well, I have to get going, but I can’t wait to see the proof when it’s ready.”

I watched as she walked away, her long black dress swaying with each step, and pulled my phone out of my purse to text my sisters as I began walking out of the venue. They were going to be so jealous when they found out about this.

Bianca:You’re not going to believe what just happened.

Perla:You and Knox did the nasty?

Bianca:Not yet. Ginevra Salvatore just invited me to try on her clothes at her flagship store.

Maria:Shut up!

Perla:What?! How did you get so lucky?

Allegra:Her horoscope does say that good things are on the horizon. I just assumed that meant with you and Knox, but maybe this is what it meant.

Bianca:That might not be too off base, actually. We have a date tonight.

Allegra:Trying on Ginevra’s designs is an excellent way to kill time.

Maria:The understatement of the century. I can’t believe it, but you should have fun and give her my love.

Perla:Yeah, take lots of pictures!

Allegra:Try on something fabulous for me.

I popped my phone in my purse and looked around to find Knox leaning against the building, a foot propped up and his arms crossed, aviators over his eyes, looking more delicious than ever. Maybe you could’ve said it was his khakis or his blue button-down shirt, or even the sexy tweed jacket he wore, but I liked to believe it was none of that and just the man underneath it all.

Biting the corner of my lip, I made my way over to him and touched his bicep, making him turn and look at me. “Why, hi there, stranger,” I purred. “What a nice surprise.”

He returned my flirty behavior with a gentle kiss on the lips. “I missed you.” Snaking his hand around my waist, he pulled me against him so our bodies were flush and all I had to do was stand up on my tiptoes for another kiss.

I brought my hands to his hair and began playing with it, running my hands through it. “Me, too. I didn’t think that show would ever end.”

“I hope it’s okay that I surprised you.”

“Of course it is!”

“Good,” he acknowledged and started leading us away. “I watched everyone leave, but then there was no sign of you.” He cocked a brow. “Did you sell ad space?”

I nodded. “Previously, actually. Ginevra is doing an advertorial with us. Which is why she stopped me after the show.” I licked my lips and stared up at him, coming to a stop. I couldn’t believe I was about to say this, especially after I’d just said it was okay that he surprised me, but I had to tell him—“She has a flagship store here and was hoping I could stop by and get some content for the team by trying on a few pieces from the new collection.”

“When?”

I cringed. “Now?” My eyebrows came together as I dropped that little bomb and waited for him to react.

“You have to go,” he assured me, not hesitating for a second.

“It could take a while,” I warned. “And I want to go, don’t get me wrong, but I know that I’m also ruining whatever it is you had planned.”

He shook his head, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “You have to do this, Bianca. It’s opportunities like these that make or break our careers. Plus, your eyes light up any time you talk about these things. You should go. I didn’t really have any big plans anyway. Just wanted to see you.”

Just wanted to see you.It turned out, I’d never loved five words so much. Hearing him say that made me feel infinitely special and that was priceless.

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