Page 11 of Say It Isn't So

And falling into a conversation with her was so easy, so natural. We chatted while her mother continued speaking to Rina about fashion design and her father took it all in before finally excusing himself to make a call.

After dessert, when Angelo rejoined us, I thought we’d be on our way, but Bianca stopped us. “What about you, Knox? What do you do?”

We had talked about my business degree, but I never offered up much in the way of the job I had to make ends meet. If there was a pun in there, just ignore it. I definitely wasn’t trying to be punny at a time like this. Wait, was punny a word?

If I told them where I worked, would they judge me? Us? Would they look down their rich noses at us? They didn’t seem like the type, but then again, I had never met people this well-off before.

Plus, how did I say it anyway? It wasn’t like I went around telling people about the noble work I did at a butcher shop.

Hi, I’m Knox, and I work at a butcher shop. Nine times out of ten, you’ll smell me coming before you see me because I reek of meat and, yes, if I could run away from my own stench some days, I would.

While I was deliberating my options, Rina answered for me. “He’s working at a butcher shop. It’s a horrible job, but he’s supportive of me, and it’s only temporary.” She got that last part out so quickly you would’ve thought there was an emergency and she was saying the house was on fire.

Gasping, Bianca covered her mouth.All right, I work at a butcher shop. I know it isn’t great, but I don’t clean toilets all day. Now that would be cause for a gasp.“That won’t do. I’m sure we can find something for you, too,” Bianca said suddenly. “What do you say, Daddy? He has a degree in business, maybe he can help in ad sales. You know how swamped we are, and I’m still learning, so we could train together.”

I wanted to stop her—I didn’t want to hear her father’s rejection of the idea. “It’s okay,” I started.

Then Rina jumped in again, saying, “That’d be great!”

Am I invisible tonight? Does anyone care what I have to say?

I looked at Mr. and Mrs. Morelli, taking their expressions in.

Regina nodded her head in agreement.

Angelo narrowed his eyes.

“It would be perfect. Can we add another employee, Angelo?” she asked, looking at her husband with an endearing smile.

Angelo’s eyes were boring into hers.

Regina ignored it and batted her lashes.

Angelo ignored that and frowned.

Regina traded in the butter-him-up look for arched brows and pursed lips. Now she meant no-nonsense.

Angelo gave it one last attempt, cocking a brow as he studied her. She wasn’t budging. Grimacing, the lines around Angelo’s face hardened. “Sure,” he ground out. “It’s important we help the next generation.”

I had a feeling he didn’t really mean that. At least, not where I was concerned. Something told me sticking toothpicks in his eyes sounded less agonizing to him than offering me a job.

I didn’t ask for this job, didn’t want a favor from the Morellis or anyone else for that matter. Although,I didn’t mind getting out of the butcher shop, because I didn’t want to work there for the rest of my life. And it wasn’t like I didn’t have a business degree that I’d be able to put to good use at their magazine. Since I was an educated man, I also knew when to concede defeat, and there was no fighting this one even if I wanted to.“Thank you,” I said.

So was I a horrible person if I was actually glad about this turn of events?

This was why we moved out here, after all—to better ourselves. Not for me to package meat all day.

Pulling me aside to go over a few job-related details, Angelo stopped just inside his office and shut the door behind us. He pointed a finger in the direction of a leather chair opposite of his desk. “The women in our lives are well-intentioned, if not a little overbearing, aren’t they?” he asked casually, leaning against his mahogany desk.

I nodded my agreement. “It appears we do have that in common, yes.” I hoped it was okay to admit that. Then I swallowed hard, that feeling of my insides shriveling up coming back with a vengeance.

“You got quite lucky, you know. I can’t say no to my daughter or wife, and they have such good hearts, so I’ll take you on, but don’t you disappoint me, Rhodes.Capisce?”

Suddenly I felt like I was in an episode of that Italian mafia show, but I nodded again so he’d know I understood him. “Thank you for the opportunity.”

“Remember this, this opportunity,” he went on, “is only a steppingstone for you. I don’t want to see you aroundBellissimalong-term. Use it for what it is and get a job on your own merit when the time is right and you have enough experience.”

“Understood.”It’s official. I’m dead inside, shriveled up like a prune.

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