Page 59 of De Luca: The Saint

I’ll see you at seven.

Be a good girl and send me a picture.

I take picture after picture, but they all look terrible. I settled on the last one, mostly an image of my face. A little cleavage to tease him with, but not so much that it’s pornographic.

That gets me an instant reply.

Jesus, baby, you’re so beautiful.

I can’t wait to see you.

I’m glad he can’t see the blush creeping up my neck to my cheeks. I smile as I type out my reply.

Thank you. I’ll see you soon.

I read his last message over and over, smiling like a schoolgirl. For the first time since Damian, butterflies swirl in my stomach. I’m excited for this next phase of my life.

The restaurant is close to my apartment, so I decided to walk there since it’s a pleasant but cool night.

Opening the door, I step inside and stifle my gasp. It’s gorgeous and definitely looks expensive. I have no idea what Matthew does for a living, but I hope this isn’t a lot of money for him. Maybe I’ll just order a salad, in case. In a place like this, that’d probably cost thirty dollars or more.

The restaurant has soft lighting, creating a romantic atmosphere. Music plays over the loudspeakers, something instrumental, a soft piano with a violin accompaniment sings out a beautiful melody.

The hostess greets me pleasantly, “Are you dining alone?”

I shake my head nervously, “I’m meeting someone, Matthew. Oh geez, I don’t even know his last name.”

She smiles, “It’s okay, he’s not here yet. I’ll take you to your table and you can enjoy a drink while you wait?”

I nod, “That would be lovely, thank you.”

Following her to the table, I glance around at the romantic couples, several are holding hands, and I wonder if this was a bad idea. I don’t want to think of Damian, I really don’t, but he keeps creeping into my mind. Maybe I need six months. Perhaps three months isn’t enough.

She seats me at my table, and I pull out my phone to text Matthew and tell him I’ll need to cancel.

Before I get a chance, he pulls out the chair, sits down, and I lift my gaze to him, and my heart starts pounding furiously. I’m not staring at Matthew but at Damian. The fight or flight impulse is a strong one. I rise from my chair, “No.”

I turn to walk away, but he grabs my arm, “Katherina, sit.”

Glancing at him, I shoot him daggers, or at least try to. That still isn’t my strong suit, it’s more his. I want to run away from him, to him, my mind and heart are fighting an epic battle. If he had said he needed time I would’ve waited. But he tossed me out of his life and ignored my every attempt at contacting him, as if I never mattered to him. My mind wins for the moment, “Damian, I’ve moved on. You should too.”

Chapter Forty-One

Damian

Holding onto her arm with one hand, I brush my knuckles down the side of her face, “Please Kitty Kat, sit down.”

Her pretty blue eyes look at me while her dark lashes flutter, “I can’t. I’m meeting someone, Damian. You have to go.”

I growl, “You’re meeting me, not Matthew. Now sit down.”

She gasps at me, “Oh my God.”

Then she whispers, “You killed him.”

I grin at her, “No Angel, I didn’t. I’m Matthew.”

The expression on her face is one for the ages. Her eyes widen, and her lips part, “What?”

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