Page 70 of Say It Isn't So

“Listen, I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m sure you’ll be doing us a favor. The designs will be pretty and our viewers like to see pretty stuff.”

That was one way of putting it.

Changing the subject, I pointed out, “You know, I never got to take you to that place I love for lunch.”

“Next time,” he said.

“Next time? Are you saying that we’re going to make a habit of spending time together during these fashion weeks?” All these years in this industry and he’d obviously steered clear of me, my family, and this party, but that seemed to be changing; I was glad it was.

“Might as well,” he said casually. But I swatted his arm and my jaw dropped slightly. He thought he was so funny. He winked as he added more seriously, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I felt the same way. “Me neither. So during Men’s Spring/Summer fashion week here, I’ll take you,” I said, smiling.

Meanwhile, we apparently had company in the form of my father, one Angelo Morelli. Interrupting, he asked, “Where are you takingyour friend?”

“To a place I always try to go to for lunch when I’m here,” I answered innocently, decidedly going with honesty. It was the best policy, according to everyone, right?

Clasping his hands around mine, he leaned over and kissed my cheek. “That’s nice of you, baby girl. You look beautiful tonight, by the way. Knox,” he said, turning to face him finally, “good to see you again. I take it you’re here on business?”

I looked over at Knox. Seeing him and my dad in such close proximity made my heart pounce a little in my chest. But Knox was ever the professional, just like Daddy. All business.

“I am,” Knox agreed and smiled. “I hear you are responsible for most of this tonight,” he said, gesturing wide. “You did a great job.”

My father adjusted his jacket, then turned his attention to one of his rings, fussing with it as he winked at Knox. Yes, an actual wink just happened!

“Wait and see what’s in store for the rest of the evening,” Dad said, his voice full of pride. “I’ll look forward to your blog’s coverage of the event. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he said, planting one more kiss on my cheek before walking away to greet other guests. He was taking a page right out of Mom’s book, that was for sure.

With him gone and out of earshot, I turned to Knox and let my eyes widen. “I’m sorry, but did that just happen?” I asked incredulously.

Pulling his hands from his pockets, he looked around and then back at me. “I think it did.”

“That wasn’t so bad.”

Angling his head, he looked at me like I was from another planet.

“What?” I didn’t understand what his look was for.

“Bianca, what did you expect? Him to make a spectacle at his own party? Your father would never be so unprofessional.”

I shook my head, my updo feeling heavy atop it. “No, you’re wrong. Maybe it’s not as bad as we think.” Was it so wrong of me to want to see the best in my father, to believe the best in him? Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I was going with it.

But Knox, however, wasn’t. He shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t agree. I don’t think anything can change here. Listen, you should go mix and mingle. I’m sure you have work to do, I don’t want to occupy your time all night.”

What just happened? Before Dad came over everything was fine,wewere fine. But I could see Knox retreating, the wheels in his head turning as he slipped farther away from me and the present.

“Knox,” I pleaded. When he diverted his attention, I tried again, “Hey, look at me.”

He did, but not before taking another sip of champagne from a new glass he accepted from a server. Clearly he didn’t share in my optimism, but I knew my dad wanted what was best for me, and Knox was what was best for me. He’d see that. He’d come around. While Knox didn’t believe that, I believed it enough for the both of us.

“We’re going to figure this out, right? It’s complicated, but aren’t the best things in life a challenge?” I didn’t know what else to say. We were friends because we hadn’t crossed that line yet. We hadn’t even kissed. But I wanted to. I wanted to do so much more with him, in fact. Although, there was the little problem of Rina. She wasn’t going away; Allie was right about that one. So we both had our demons that were getting in the way. It wouldn’t be like that forever, though. I just knew it. Rina was Knox’s past, and my dad was just protective of me. They wouldn’t be problems that stood in our way for long. I wasn’t being naïve. Right?

He cleared his throat and nudged his head toward groups of people. “Yeah,” he said vaguely before noting, “everyone’s starting to take their seats.”

I looked around and noticed the same thing. “But we’re okay?” I didn’t want to walk away from Knox when we weren’t in a good place. I wished I could grab him by his arms and shake him. I wanted him to see things the way I saw them. Because the way I saw it—it was me and him at the end. It had to be.

My greatest fear—losing the people I cared about—came rushing in and hit me square in the chest. It was so hard and fast that I thought I might fall over.No!I fought back, refusing to let my fear consume me. I’d gotten this far ignoring that pesky fear and I wasn’t going to let it ruin this for me now. Knox would never leave me. I wouldn’t lose him.

“We’re okay,” he assured me. His smile was weak, but I’d take it. If there was one thing I knew without a shadow of a doubt it was that Knox would never intentionally hurt me—or anyone for that matter.

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