Page 50 of Ice To Meet You

Before I could speak, though, Matteo’s deep voice filled the room. “I don’t think Esmé needs any help from me. When I see what she’s built—her knowledge and passion, her talent— she’s incredibly inspiring. I want to spend every minute of the day with her.”

The number two pin-drop moment of the evening hit. I dared to look at Matteo, but he didn’t look at me. Instead, the tiniest smile played on his lips. Not a smirk, but a genuine smile, as if he remembered a special moment or a secret he once learned. My breath thinned.

“Oh, I agree, Esmé’s a marvel,” said Marianne, resting her chin on her hand. “But I wonder how you manage to do it all, dear. Now you’re running the gallery alone. Building connections and hosting lovely dinners like this must be a challenge.”

My shoulders stiffened, and I forced a smile, senses on alert. “I enjoy my work.”

“Hmm.” Marianne’s eyes flicked to Matteo, then back to me. “And I suppose there’s no time for distractions? Isn’t there a special someone in your life? Someone who can take some of the pressure off you?”

Her question hung in the air like a delicate thread, and I swore nobody moved a muscle. Heat rose in my cheeks, but I swallowed it away. “The gallery is my priority.”

After a long beat, Marianne sighed. “Understandable. And now, with Matteo’s grandfather interested in your new venture, you must be very busy.”

Alessandro woke up from whatever stupor had rendered him silent. He stroked his chin with long fingers. “So Gio is actually investing?”

“Si,” said Matteo. “Just like me, he appreciates Esmé’s experience and passion. He had no hesitations.”

I chewed on my lip. No hesitations other than making his grandson part of the deal.

Alessandro ran his eyes over me. “Well, I confess, I’m interested, too. I trust Gio’s judgment. I assume there’s no exclusivity with him?”

My chest fizzed, and I crushed the urge to grin. “Not at this stage.”

“Then we’ll see how your exhibition goes in a couple of weeks. All being well, I’ll be keen to invest as well. It’s been too long since I’ve had business interests in my home country.”

Marianne looked at me, her smile growing.

I pulled in a shallow breath, a warm glow spreading through my chest. With a second investor potentially locked in, my venture in Rome looked brighter by the second.

Finally, I could prove my worth on my own merit, no one else's. I glanced at Matteo. His eyes were on me, and he sent me the smallest of winks.

18

ESMÉ

Iclosed the door on the Rossis and turned to face Matteo. He leaned casually against the hallway wall with a massive grin on his face.

“Congratulations,” he said. “I think we should have a drink to celebrate.”

And who was I to turn down a handsome man in a tight, unbuttoned shirt?

“Why not?” I said, grinning. “I think the evening went well.”

I led Matteo back to my sitting room. “Take a seat,” I said, gesturing to the couch. “More wine, or something a little stronger?”

“I wouldn’t turn down a brandy or whisky.”

I raised my eyebrows and tipped my head to one side. “I’m sure I can come up with something.” I turned a key to open my liquor cabinet and took out a dusty old bottle Didier had given me a few birthdays ago. “Cognac?”

“Si,” he said, sinking into my couch.

Damn, he looked good against the blush-pink cushions. I poured us each a glass and joined him, letting out a long sigh.

“Big day?” he asked.

“Yes, but I have to say, you added to its success. Thank you.”

He grinned and lifted his glass to mine, knocking them together. “I aim to please. Perhaps I’m not just the annoying coffee-boy anymore.”

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