Page 4 of His Prize

Guess she’s coming with me.

“Mr. Rossi! How did things go in court today?”

I held up my hand to my secretary. “Can’t talk. Just picking up some things.”

“Of cou—Miss Moretti! Hello!”

Bonnie’s voice sounded behind me. “Rose. You look lovely today.”

“Aww, thanks. My husband got me this dress. You think it’s too much?”

“It looks fantastic on you. Please tell me he’s taking you out on a date tonight because you look spectacular.”

I thought my secretary’s name was Daisy.

As the girls giggled at the front desk, I made my way quickly back into my office. I’d never been one for small talk, but it seemed as if small talk would play in my favor right now. I rummaged through my files, trying to find anything and everything I could on some pending business deals I still had to work out. I slid the stacks of folders into a bag I kept stashed in the bottom drawer of my desk, then slid it up to my shoulder.

Before a familiar voice sounded at the doorway. “You never did answer her question.”

I slowly raised my gaze and saw Alice Esposito standing there. “Alice,” I said.

“Israel. How did court go today?”

I shrugged. “It came, and it went.”

“Will I get more details on our lunch date tomorrow?”

Then, as if things couldn't get any worse, I heard Bonnie’s voice from the hallway.

“What lunch date?”

I sighed silently to myself as she appeared in the doorway. Alice stepped off to the side to give her some room, but I didn’t even know where to go from here. Every time I turned around, Alice was calling me. And when I blocked her, she appeared with a new number and a new way to contact me. But, I didn’t know she’d be so bold as to come down to my warehouse to try to find me.

Especially on a day I wasn’t supposed to be working.

“How did you know I’d be here, Alice?” I asked.

Bonnie licked her lips. “I didn’t realize you two had a lunch date.”

Alice giggled. “Oh, yes. We’re supposed to meet up tomorrow. Didn’t he tell you?”

Bonnie shook her head. “No, he didn’t. Israel?”

Oh, boy.“Yes?”

“Are you supposed to have a lunch date tomorrow with Miss Esposito?”

I nodded. “I’ve been putting it off, but yes. My father arranged for us to sit and speak for a bit.”

“On what?”

Alice giggled. “That’s none of your business, I’m afraid.”

Bonnie giggled back. “You might want to remember who you're speaking with right now before you try your answer again.”

The girls started off with one another and I tried my best not to laugh. Not because it was funny, but because Bonnie was more fit for this role than she realized. I hiked the bag up my shoulder as I made my way for the door, pushing myself between the two women.

“Come on, Bonnie. We have to get—”

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