Page 55 of His Fantasy Bride (Things To Do Before You Die)

“He left. I followed him. A car picked him up and drove him away.”

Suddenly she had to confront him one last time. Pain or not. “I’m going to see him.”

“You are?”

“I can’t leave it as we did. I owe it to him to explain. To apologize.”

“Go for it, girl.”

“You’re not going to tell me not to?”

“Nope.”

“Okay, then.”

Gabby hovered outside the door, trying to build up the courage to knock. She shouldn’t be here, but she’d needed to see him. Needed to apologize. Then maybe she’d be able to move on.

She’d come straight to his hotel from the theater, knowing that if she waited then she might lose her nerve. She didn’t even know if he was here or not. But she had to try.

As she procrastinated, the hotel room door opened. Her breath caught—but then released as she recognized Vito’s father.

He paused as he caught sight of her, and she waited for him to say something. Had Vito told him? She chewed on her lip.

“What are you doing here, Gabby?”

So it looked like Vito had spoken to his father about her. Though what had he said? She’d called Luca up, and he’d told her he’d revealed nothing apart from the fact that she had never supplied him with information. At least that was one good thing. How much did Vito know? It wouldn’t be hard to find the connection if he looked.

She licked her lips. “I came to apologize to Vito.”

“It might not be the best of times. He’s not feeling too…fond of you right now.”

“I still have to do it.”

“You’re a brave woman. And I believe whatever your reasons for meeting my son, you came to care for him. As he cares for you.”

“He doesn’t really know me.”

“Of course he does.” He patted her arm. “Now go give your apology, but don’t be surprised if he throws you out. Once he calms down, he’ll appreciate the fact that you made the effort and faced him. He can be formidable.”

“Too right,” she muttered.

He smiled. “He has impossibly high standards for himself and expects the same of the people he loves.”

Except he didn’t love her. She’d made sure that would never happen.

“Just don’t give up on him. He’s had a hard year, and perhaps learned more about himself and who he is than he really wanted to know. He needs time to digest all that. But he’ll come around.”

It wasn’t as though she had a choice. She watched as he walked away, and then she turned back to the door, took a deep breath, and rang the bell. It seemed like an age before the door opened and he stood there. Her breath hitched. He was so stunning.

His eyes narrowed on her. “What do you want?”

“Can I come in for a moment?”

“No.” Then he shrugged. “You might as well. I have a few questions for you. You owe me answers at least.”

It always seemed like she owed him something. She gave a quick nod, and he stood aside to allow her to brush passed him. She wiped her hands down her jeans and then wrapped her arms around her middle. He was looking at her as though he hated her.

His dad was right; she should have left this, given him time. “You came to the theater tonight.”

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