Page 66 of Tristano

“It was my pleasure. I’ll have the sketch and my notes to you before dinner,” he tells her before turning toward me. “It was a pleasure working with you, Serena, despite the circumstances.”

“Thank you. You have a great day,” I manage to rasp, my throat feeling dry.

Greer waits until he’s left before turning toward me.

“Where is Tristano?” I ask, wondering why he didn’t come in as soon as they were done.

He was outside when we started. He wouldn’t spend another moment apart from me if he could help it.

She raises a brow. “Afraid to be alone with me?”

“No.” I scoff. “I was just expecting him to be here when I got done.”

Greer hums. “He had to go handle some business but will be back soon. Would you like to go grab some lunch with me?”

Despite the fact she’s phrasing it as a question, I know there’s only one answer I can give her.

“Sure.”

This feels like a trap. A trap I don’t like.

“Fantastic. How do you feel about Italian food?”

“As far as I’m concerned, pasta should be its own food group.”

Greer smiles. “I know just the place then.”

I eye Enzo as he falls into step with us as we leave the building and get into a waiting town car. As the car begins to move, Enzo turns toward me.

“Have you spent much time in the city?” he asks.

“When I was younger, yes, but not in several years.”

“I understand.” He nods.

“When Enzo and I moved back from Italy, it took me a month to find what I was looking for. Granted, our neighborhood doesn’t have a high turnover rate, but outside of it…” she trails off.

“That’s nice though that the neighborhood doesn’t change,” I tell her.

“It is. Will you miss Jersey City? I know it’s right across the river, but I assume you won’t be spending much time there.” Her question feels weighted.

I tilt my head to the side, thinking about my answer. “I don’t think so. I’m sure I’ll miss some things but not much. I didn’t really have friends thanks to work keeping me busy, and my apartment wasn’t anything special. Honestly, I hardly spent enough time there. I was all about work, and when I wasn’t at work, I was thinking about it.”

“How do you feel now that you aren’t working?” she says.

“Honestly? It’s a weight off my shoulders. I felt like I had to live up to my family legacy, but I realized that I wasn’t living my own life. I feel like this is my second chance.”

Enzo looks at Greer before turning toward me. “Well, I know Tristano is excited to have you here with us.”

“Yes, and I’ll have to make sure you come to girls’ night.” Greer tips her chin.

The car starts to slow, and I look out the window.

“I would like that,” I say quietly.

We stop in front of an Italian restaurant called Bella Italiano.

“Have you ever eaten here?” Greer asks as we walk toward the door.

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