Page 66 of The Don

Ruben unties the blindfold, and it takes a few blinks for my eyes to adjust. Rose is standing in front of me. “Surprise!” she says and throws her arms around my body, knocking me back a few steps.

“You’re back, already? You said it was going to be a few days.”

“I lied.” Rose’s hug is tight, and I close my eyes, so happy to see her. “Happy birthday.” Rose releases me and steps back.

The patio table is decorated with fresh flowers, presents, and the prettiest plates and glasses. My hand flies up to my mouth as I look around at everyone. Ruben and Dominic are standing beside each other; Dominic is smoking while Ruben has his hands shoved into his pockets. “You did this for me?” I ask as I lower my hand to my chest.

“Sure did.” Rose hugs me. “You’re officially a quarter of a century old.”

“Twenty-five,” Ruben grumbles and rakes his hand through his hair. I can’t help but smile when he catches my eye and winks at me.

“Happy birthday, Eliza.” Dominic walks over and places a kiss on my cheek and immediately steps backward.

“Open your presents.” Rose points to the prettily wrapped gifts stacked at the end of the table.

“For me?” I look at them and smile. “Are you sure?”

“Open them.” Rose eagerly bounces with excitement.

“Okay, okay.”

“Here.” Ruben pulls out a chair, and when I sit, he pushes it back in.

“Open this one first.” Rose hands me a large wrapped box.

I tear at the wrapping and open the box. My smile falters when I see the name Hermes and pull out an incredibly exquisite black bag. “Rose.” I look up to find Rose’s face lit up with a massive smile. “This is...” My skin pebbles as I try to be as delicate as possible with the gorgeous handbag. “This is too much.”

“No, it isn’t,” Dominic says.

I find myself clutching the bag into my chest as I stare at him. “Thank you,” I say, completely stunned by their generosity.

“Happy birthday,” Maria says as she brings food out to the table with Isabella trailing behind her holding two more platters of food.

“Open this one.” Rose shoves another present into my hands.

“Thank you, Maria.” I smile toward her, then open the second present. It’s a wallet to match the handbag, also from Hermes. “Wow.” I go on to unwrap another six gifts, all of them something amazing from designer stores Rose and Dominic visited while on their honeymoon.

Once I’m done unwrapping everything, we begin to enjoy our lunch. Ruben and Dominic are speaking in low tones while Rose and I are talking about her honeymoon. “You know, you shouldn’t have bought me anything.”

“Are you kidding me, Eliza? It’s your twenty-fifth birthday, I had to spoil you.” She juts her head to the side, leans in, and whispers, “What did Ruben get you?”

“He doesn’t have to get me anything.” I look over to him and he winks at me again. My cheeks heat as I smile. His winks are one of my favorite things in the world.

Rose catches our private exchange and lifts her chin to stare at me with her own smile. “What’s happening between you and Ruben?”

“Nothing,” I say with force.

“Are you two together?”

“No.”

Rose sits back, leans her elbow on the arm of the chair, and taps her finger to her mouth. “Where do you sleep at night?” I look down at my lap and hold in the smile. “Yeah, I thought so.” She sits forward and lifts her glass with soda. “You know,” she starts. “I remember the way he looked at you at your...” Rose pauses and sucks in a breath.

“At my what?” She gulps and shakes her head. Rose purses her lips together and chews on the inside of her cheek. “It’s okay, say it.” It has something to do with him.

“I saw the way he looked at you at your wedding. He couldn’t tear his eyes off you.” She turns to glance at him, then returns her attention to me. “Much like right now.”

I flick my gaze to him, then back to her. Sure enough, Ruben’s dark, sinful eyes are glued to me. “Ruben is nothing like him.”

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