Page 26 of Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires 3)
“Fine. I’ll invite Luca.”
“Good. Because I already told the organizers you would take the extra seat.”
Of course he did.
“That’s a fifty-thousand-dollar seat.”
He looks bored as he stares over my left shoulder.
“Not that you asked, but I think my uncle is good for you,” he says, going back to arranging the paperwork on his desk.
“He’s amobster,” I say, the excuse feeling weak even as it crosses my tongue.
Dylan wrinkles his nose. “He’s more than a mobster, Ford. You know that. He’s philanthropic.”
I laugh, rubbing my face. “Yeah, I can totally imagine him saying something like, ‘If you don’t take care of these people, you’ll be swimming with the fishes.’”
“Stop stalling.”
“Fine. But only if you stop nagging me.”
Dylan shakes his head and gestures toward the door. “Not on your life. Now, text him before you go into this meeting.”
Letting out a sigh of begrudging gratitude, I walk and text.
Me:Hey. This is sort of last minute, so feel free to say no if you want.
Luca:Yes.
Me:I haven’t even asked you anything yet.
Luca:Yes.
Me:So I could just ask you to be ready in a tuxedo on Saturday night by 6:30, and you’d be down for it?
Luca:Yes.
Me:Fine. I’m not going to tell you what it’s for then.
Luca:I’ve already got so many things going on that I’d forget anyway.
Luca:Is this charitable? Should I have my accountants draw up a big fancy check?
Me:Wait. Are you cheating on me already? Who are these “accountants” of which you speak?
Luca:I would never cheat on you.
I read that in his serious voice and start breathing a little heavily.
Me:That’s what I thought.
Me:Picking you up at 6:30 on the dot.
Luca:I’ll be there with bells on.
Luca’s not the kind of guy who uses emojis, but he’s also not the kind of guy who needs them. Something about that makes me smile as I open the door to the conference room. I detour to the banquet and pour myself a glass of water, unable to wipe the grin off my face.
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