Page 55 of Good as Gold
“Not much. I did some babysitting. Poured about seven million beers. Ate a whole lot of those pizzas you make here. Woke up every morning at five, because Otto has a rooster who loves the sound of his own voice.”
Alec laughs. “And my bars are both still standing?”
“I can only vouch for this one.” I pat the bar top. “But I’m about to tell Otto that I can stay for the summer. He asked me to help manage a beer wagon that he and Lyle Giltmaker bought.”
“Get out of here. Seriously?” He pulls out a barstool and sits down. “Don’t tease me like this. They had so much trouble staffing that thing last summer, and of course Otto tried to make it my problem.”
I shrug. “Someone wants to rent my Aspen condo for the season for fifty grand. I can stay at Otto’s for free.”
Alec slaps the bar. “This is the best news I’ve heard all day. Plus, I get a front row seat if you make an ass of yourself to Leila.”
Oh God. I hate my siblings. “I’m not going to do that.”
“Sure.” He grins. “Of course not.”
“She just got divorced.”
“I noticed that.” His grin expands.
There’s no way in hell my family can know if I help Leila with her little project. I suppose Zara and Ben will wonder.
But I’m not admitting anything.
CHAPTER20
LEILA
I’m sitting on my couch with a book when I happen to check my email. I find Matteo’s message. No comment, just a battery of tests, all negative.
Holy…
Surprise makes me shoot to my feet. I can’t believe he’s going through with this. That’s what this means, right?
I need to know. Matteo is probably downstairs tending bar—I think he was scheduled for tonight in case Alec’s flight was late.
Then again, it’s seven p.m., and the bar is probably three deep with thirsty patrons. I can’t exactly have a private conversation with the man right now.
Does this mean he’s all in? For real?
My heart has a serious case of the flutters, and my eyes feel damp. I can’t believe he’d do this for me. It’s too much to ask.
I pull out my phone with shaking hands.
I got your email. But I don’t want to jump to conclusions. Does this mean you’ve made up your mind?
While I wait for his reply, I pace around the apartment, trying to get used to the idea that this might really happen. I head down the hallway to the empty second bedroom and flip on the light.
It’s a small room with windows facing the back of the building. I can picture a crib against the wall and a fuzzy rug covering the wood floor. A rocking chair just like Zara has. And a changing table on top of the dresser, where the drawers will be filled with little onesies and tiny socks.
I take a deep breath and try to breathe through my excitement. Then I flick off the light and leave the room. My bedroom is, of course, the only other room on this hallway. My eyes leap to the king-sized bed that’s snugged against the brick wall.
A bed where Matteo might remove all my clothing.
The flutters in my stomach redouble.
Okay, don’t panic. This will be fun. Matteo hinted that he was looking forward to it. So why am I so nervous all of a sudden?
Oh right—because I haven’t gotten naked with anyone new since I was in college.
