Page 13 of Christmas with the Mafia
Now it makes sense, and rather than be annoyed for her, I am counting my luck because this is perfect. I couldn’t have planned it better myself.
“So COVID was obviously just an excuse so he could bring another woman in my place.”
She slumps back in her seat, the glow from the candle catching on the sparkle from her dress, and I don’t believe I have ever sat across the table from such a dazzling companion. She wears tragedy well, which is good considering a life with me will be extremely tragic, for her anyway.
“So–” She forces some brightness into her voice. “I was thrown out, asked to leave and actually escorted from the premises by the doorman and I found myself back where I started, without a Plan B. My ride had already disappeared off into the sunset and I was almost naked under the bright lights. The thought of catching a cab or a subway home, even walking wasn’t a good one because when you are wearing the latest naked trend it would have drawn the wrong kind of attention.”
My knives are sharpening under the table at the thought of her suffering. From the doorman tothe woman on the door and definitely her boyfriend, for want of a better word.
“Then you rescued me.”
Her soft giggle drags a smile from somewhere deep inside me, and as she fixes those beautiful eyes on me, she whispers, “I am so grateful. You really were my knight in charming armor, and I will never forget your kindness.”
“There is something you can help me with.” I lean forward, noticing the uncertainty heavy in her smile as she shrinks back in her seat. She is probably fearing the worst, and frankly, if she realized what was running through my mind right now, she would undoubtedly suffer a heart attack.
“As it turns out, I am also without a date to the gala. We could help one another out.”
“What happened?”
Her eyes widen, and I shrug. “I neglected to arrange one.”
“Wow.” She laughs softly. “That’s seriously bad planning. Weren’t you excited to get your invitation? I know I was. I mean, you probably go to these things all the time, but this is the ‘thing’ of the year. Don’t you have a girlfriend, wife or mistress perhaps that you could have asked?”
For some reason, she has forgotten her nerves, and her words spill out like unguarded mistakes.
“I have none of the above. So, Regina, it appears that the stars aligned tonight and directed their beams on us. So, will you do me the great honor of being my date for the Diamond Gala?”
“I would be honored, Nico.”
I stand and move around the table, and as her hand slipsinside my much larger one, I tighten my hold. I help her from the chair, and as she stands tall beside me, I catch our reflections in the window and admit we do look good together. I still can’t believe how perfectly things worked out, and tonight will be all my pleasure as my plan falls into place.
Seven
REGINA
I may as well be walkingon air. The pain of my earlier choice of footwear is relegated to the past because it’s as if I’m not wearing shoes at all, let alone the astonishingly high and yet comfortable silver ones that fate has provided like Cinderella’s glass slipper.
Even more surprising is the way I can walk effortlessly on them, as if I am wearing nothing at all, and as for my companion, I am speechless with how lucky I got when he picked me up from my misery on the red carpet and transported me to paradise.
I really do feel as if I had a fairy godmother looking out for me tonight, and as we head into the elevator, the other guy miraculously waits inside. To be honest, I am struggling to keep my jaw from dropping the more I stare at these men. Both have a commanding presence, but Nico is something else entirely. He must be Italian. He has all the good looks and style of one, from his dark hair that is styled perfectly, to his razor-sharp smoldering gaze from those devastating obsidian eyes. The strong jaw that couldcut glass and a toned body that must have been crafted from long hours in the gym. He is wearing all black, and it suits him. The only diversion from that is the thick gold watch on his wrist. He is a powerful man and must be a wealthy one because money appears to be abundant in his life.
I’m curious about that and crack the awkward silence by asking, “So, this is very impressive. You must have a good job to afford all of this.”
He leans against the wall of the elevator, his intense gaze a little discomforting.
“I am in business.”
The other guy shifts on his feet, and I wonder if he’s the assistant.
I nod. “You must be good at it. I mean, I’m in business too, and mine is nowhere near this scale. One day maybe, who knows, but it would take years if not a lifetime to get to this point. You should tell me your secret.”
I’m babbling and wish it was possible to seal my mouth shut with tape because it’s obvious I am well out of my league with these two men.
“Your business–” Nico interrupts my madness. “Tell me about it.”
“Well, I’m kind of proud of it. I make up gift baskets and sell them online. I, well, have a vlog and a following of two hundred thousand. It keeps me busy.”
I clutch my purse tighter, wondering when I’ll get the opportunity to do some filming. Perhaps he’ll even grant me an interview on camera. Perhaps I should ask him.
