Page 76 of Forbidden Arrangement

CHAPTER19

Igot to bed around two o’clock in the morning.My head was pounding.Stefano won the match after three hours, and we were all delighted and happy.Elise had jumped up and down when he won even though I could see Bradley was pissed off about it.As I got into bed, my phone started ringing, and I stared at the screen.It was Valentina.

“What the hell,” I mumbled under my breath.“Hello?”I answered the phone.Grumpy.

“Hey, are you awake?”she said softly.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“I wanted to know how Stefano did in the match?”

“He won.”

“Oh that’s amazing.So what does that mean?”

“It means he has one more fight, and if he wins that, he’ll go to the championship.”

“Oh, that’s so cool.Oh, man.I wish I would’ve seen it.”

“Yeah, well.I’m guessing you were busy.”

“No, that’s why I called you because …”

“Yeah, it’s kind of late, Valentina.What are you doing up?”

“I was hoping you’d call me when it was done,” she said softly.

“Okay.”

“I’ve been thinking about you.”

“Cool.Cool.”

“I went to see another place today.”

“Another place.Are you moving?”

“No, silly.A place for a lease for my café.”

“Oh, okay.And how did that go?”I feigned disinterest.

“It was okay.But not as great as that first place that we saw.”She sighed.“I just wish I had the money to get that first place.But oh well.I’m sure a really good place will come up that’s in budget soon.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it will.Or maybe Daddy will provide the money sooner rather than later.You never know.”

“What do you mean by that?”she said sharply.

“I don’t know.Maybe if you do something that he likes or dates someone that he likes, he might be more persuaded to dip into his bank account and write a check.”

“Oh, you’re funny, Sam.I don’t know.He doesn’t really seem that interested in my dating life.”

“Really?”My voice sounded loud, and there was silence on the other end.

“Is everything okay?You sound funny.”

“I’m fine,” I said.“Just a little tired.It’s been a long night.”

“You know, I was looking up recipes today.”

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