Page 22 of Rio
Okay.I believe her, but I’m still going to watch her like a hawk.
Then I move over to Dex and shake his hand again.The burn of Dani’s gaze guilt trips me.I should be more excited.Be more receptive, hug him or something, but I can’t.“If you hurt my best friend at all, in any capacity, I’ll make your life a living hell,” I say, with a forced smile, trying to pass my words off as a joke.
Dex nods, his gaze locked on mine.“Understood.Also, if I hurt her, I’d already be in hell.”
Caraca.Those words and the way Dex looks at Dani, the depth of emotion in his eyes, tells me he would die for her.My heart flutters inside my chest.He really means it.I clasp a hand to my sternum, so utterly moved, and wondering if I will ever experience that kind of love.I move in for a hug, brushing off my emotions.Maybe it is possible that Dexter Knight is not the type of Knight I’d run a mile from.
As I pull away, he places his hand on my arm.“I don’t blame you for hating my family, but we’re not all that bad.We’re not.I hope my actions, once we get to know each other, will make you see that there’s good in some of us.Most of us.Us brothers, we’re not all like our father.”
Where have I heard that before?This might have thawed my feelings towards Dex a little, but my distrust of the Knights isn’t going anywhere.
I quickly sit down again, feeling a pinch of sadness.I’m suddenly overcome by emotion.I’m happy for Dani, or, trying to be, and I make a mental note to keep an eye on her closer than ever now, but Dex’s words, “I’m not like my father”, remind me of Rio.
I’ve barely heard from him but every now and then, he slides back into my thoughts again, and that night in São Paulo looms vibrantly in my imagination, feeling so real sometimes, it hurts.I try to focus on the present.That it’s the weekend, there’s no work and that my best friend is here.Tomorrow we have a girlie day to ourselves.There’s so much cause for celebration.
“I’m sure that’s what you all say.”I soften my words with a smile.
Dex’s brow furrows.“I get that you need time, that we have to prove ourselves.”
“We?”Dani looks at me.“I don’t have to prove anything to Raquel.”
“He doesn’t mean you,” I say to Dani.I know who he’s referring to.Something in my gut tells me he and Rio have talked.I feel it in my bones.Just like I sometimes remember the weight of Rio’s gaze on me, his lips on mine, the fast and flirty banter that we shared that night.
“You’ll have to earn it, all over again,” I say, opening the food menu.“Shall we order?”
I’m hungry, and I need to process everything.Not just this, Dani and Dex engaged, but the ghost of Rio that has now come back to haunt me.
***
Dani has brought me up to date on why she got back with Dex, and why she believes he’s nothing like his father.With the happy wonder of a child, she told me how Dex proposed, and I made all the appropriate excited sounds and comments as I drove to the spa center where we’re spending a few indulgent hours getting pampered like the queens that we are.
Last night wasn’t the right time to find out all the details of Paul Knight’s trickery, not in front of Dex.And after dinner, they were tired and so was I, so we all went home.
But, I’ve interrogated Dani and I now know everything that went on, in detail.Maybe Paul Knight is a monster, and maybe his sons are different, but Dex will have to prove himself.
Getting AO Electronica back for Dani’s father, with the help of the other brothers, is all well and good, and noble, but time will tell if I can trust Dex to be the type of partner my friend deserves.Once a Knight, always a Knight.I’ve known about this family and their business practices long before the Knights became a part of Dani’s life.
I try not to think about them as we walk into the light and airy spa.The gardenia-infused air inspires a soothing calm that I don’t fully feel.
We settle into the plush black velvet chairs, ready for our manicure and pedicure.I’m treating Dani and I’m determined that this will be our time.Pure girlie time with talk of no billionaires or family drama.Just two best friends catching up in style.
I miss her like crazy, and I miss our little catch-up sessions.When we studied together at Georgetown, it was one of the best years of my life.We’re more than best friends; we’re like sisters and spending time together always guarantees fun and laughter.
We haven’t been here long and I feel lighter already.She’s the only person I can let my guard down with even though I may not tell her everything, and she might not tell me.
The technicians start on h our pedicures.
“I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”Dani sighs in contentment and sits back in her chair.
“I did.”
I clink my glass gently against hers.“To fabulous skin, juicy gossip, and getting taken care of by people who won’t judge you.”
Dani laughs, leaning her head back and closing her yes.“Only you would toast to exfoliation.”
She sips her champagne.This is going to be a regular thing for her, in exotic locations all around the world, when she vacations.She’ll have a jet-set life being engaged and eventually married to a billionaire.
“I’ve missed you so much, hon,” I tell her.
