Page 100 of Say It Isn't So

Meanwhile, the ride over to Rina’s hotel was long and she slept with her head against the window the entire way there. I practically carried her to her room and didn’t try to leave until she was safely on the bed.

“Thank you,” Rina whispered, getting my attention before I made my exit.

I grinned back at her. “Anytime.”

“I meant what I said. I’m not going to bother you anymore. I won’t stand in the way of you and Bianca or be a problem for either of you. If it’s her you want, then I’ll accept that.”

She snuggled into the pillows, clutching one hand under one of them and frowning as though she thought she was doing the right thing, but it was killing her just the same. I sympathized.

I softened my expression. “Things with Bianca are,” I paused and searched for the right words, “what they are.”

“I’ll leave New York if you want me to.”

“No, stay. I mean, if you don’t have anywhere else to be.” I assumed she did, but she’d already surprised me by coming out here, so maybe I was wrong. “It might be nice to catch up. This is the place where it all started.” To come to an end, I thought, but didn’t say it.

As if reading my mind, she made a guttural sound from deep in her throat. “You mean the place where it all went wrong?”

“That, too.” I chuckled. “But, seriously, don’t leave on my account.”

“I came for you. I’d only stay for you, so if you want me to stay, then I will.”

I thought about what she’d said, deciding I wanted to be thoughtful and intentional with my words. But I couldn’t lie, this wasn’t easy.

I wanted Bianca. I wanted her and I to have a real shot, but not at the expense of her family and everything she held dear. This was no longer just about Bianca and I and what we wanted; it had become about so much more. So it didn’t make it any easier, but I knew I was letting this thing with Bianca go for the right reasons.

And maybe Rina and I were the right choice. Maybe I had been wrong the whole time. Maybe Rina was who I was meant to be with. We had been a great couple once before, so maybe we could be that way again. Nuttier things had happened, right?

That was it. No more hurting Bianca because of who I was and where I’d come from (all things Angelo couldn’t get over). And no more hurting Rina because I wanted to live in fantasyland with a woman I couldn’t have.

It was like I’d have to rewire my brain, but that was possible. Wasn’t it?

Bianca and I had to remain friends. The kiss in Paris had been a lapse in judgment.

It really wasn’t, just so we were clear, but that was the only way I could spin this so it made any sense in my mind.

And Rina and I, well, I didn’t know what we were yet, but I was willing to find out.

So I finally responded, “Stay.”

Who knew one word could change everything.

Chapter Thirty

Bianca

“That’s the story,morning glory.”

Somehow I thought regaling Maria with everything that had transpired between me and her father (no, I was not using the wrong phrase) and then Knox and I would give me clarity on this whole hot mess.

No such luck, though.

I felt like dice in a game box—shaken up and unsure how I’d land once I finally came down.

Maria’s eyes looked as big as saucers as she brought her feet up on the couch and tucked them under her. As she’d settled in and got over her initial shock, she leaned over and grabbed the glass filled with red wine, bringing it to her lips. “Your story warrants the wine,” she explained and took a sip.

Boy, did I know it.

I sat with my knees to my throat and my back against the arm, waiting for anything, anything at all. I wished I could pull the words of wisdom out of her.

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