Page 112 of Love Among the Ruins
“I had a speech to make,” he replied smoothly. “I didn’t know that you knew Anna.”
“I don’t. Miranda dragged me here.”
“Dragged?”
“I didn’t want to come.”
“Because I’d be here?” His voice was low again, intimate, for her ears only, as if they were lovers talking about their lives and little disagreements.
“I didn’t expect you to be here. So, no. Not for that reason. I don’t know many people here, and Miranda said it would be a good opportunity to get to know people.”
“Is that what you were doing? Making new friends?”
Her eyes scanned over him. “Tell me you didn’t come over here to interrogate me about being sociable.”
That muscle, the bulging, popping little tell-tale sign along his jaw indicated his unease. “I don’t suppose you’re free this weekend?” His eyes were dark, and she couldn’t read him, couldn’t work out if he was being serious or not. Couldn’t determine what he was asking, or why. Couldn’t be sure if her ears had misheard or her brain had wrongly communicated.
“What did you say?”
He chewed his lip, something this man never did. He looked uneasy, again, something this man never was. Something was up. Was it possible that he was on tenterhooks like her?
Maybe it wasn’t entirely in her head.
“I need a favor.”
She stared at him. She had definitely misheard. “A favor?” But if not … she would help him. Of course, she would. Dominic had always helped her and she would do whatever he asked.
“This will sound strange ...” He lowered his voice and looked around slowly, then leaned in, as if he had a huge secret to tell her. “What you once suggested ... about being my fake date…” His voice turned to a whisper so that she had to inch nearer to hear him. “Is that something you … uh … you might consider—” He was stammering again. A sign that he was uneasy.
“I’ll do it.”
“You don’t even know what it is.”
“I’ll do it anyway. It won’t be illegal. I know that much. I know you’re a decent man, so, I’m not worried.”
He let out a huff, which she couldn’t decipher.
“I want to help you because you’ve helped me, Dominic.”
“Hmmm.” He made an agreeing sound, then, his voice still low, and bending towards her, “It’s inappropriate of me to ask you this but—”
“You wouldn’t if you weren’t stuck. I understand.” Him needing her help made her feel powerful.
He coughed lightly, his eyes darting around as if he were looking for spies. Eleni understood his caution. “I asked Helen, because the optics would have been better—Galatis has seen us at meetings,” he said quickly, “but her boyfriend is taking her to Venice.” He gave her a pointed look as if to press this point.
Trumpets blasted and confetti rained down from the heavens in the back of her mind. Her heart did the salsa.
Helen had a boyfriend and it wasn’t Dominic.So, it was true. They were just friends. Not friends with benefits. “Lucky woman,” she answered slowly. She would file all of this away—tonight, and what was yet to come—and put it somewhere safe to analyze carefully later.
“I considered asking Miranda, but I was afraid she might rupture a few blood vessels in shock. Also, not appropriate.” His lips quirked upwards.
“No,” she agreed, though she wanted to know how him asking her was any more appropriate.
“But ... I trust you, and I don’t see you as an employee.”
“You don’t?” A wave of surprise crashed over her.
“Because of … situations and circumstances.”
