Page 37 of Reckless Vow

“Stop whining, both of you,” Celeste says. “You’re gorgeous, smart women. You don’t need second chances, you just need one right chance at true love.”

Saar makes a gagging sound and I giggle. Once upon a time, I thought Baldo was my true love. I know better now.

The door swooshes open as if I summoned the man with my thoughts. For some reason my face heats, and I quickly snatch my glass from the table.

This is what things have come to. I need to reset myself to find my groove around the man. Okay, I haven’t seen him since my theatrics last night, so perhaps the embarrassment is well grounded.

He’s wearing a suit with a navy tie and pocket square, an arresting confidence and a grin that doesn’t reach his eyes.

Celeste jumps up from her chair. “Oh my, is this your husband?” She smiles and extends her hand. “I’m Celeste Delacroix.”

He kisses her hand instead of shaking it. “Baldo Cassinetti. Nice to meet you.”

“Saar van den Linden.” My friend bats her lashes and stands up to get her hand kissed.

“You’re Saar?” He frowns, but his question doesn’t sound like he recognizes the famous model. “Hm.” He shakes his head and then smiles. “Good to know.”

And then he throws me off when he leans in to kiss my temple. “Have you behaved, darling?” He squeezes my shoulder.

I snort. “They’re my best friends—they know.”

At that, he drops his hand and nods to Celeste and Saar with his blinding, sincere smile. One that he doesn’t give me before he leaves.

“Oh my God, he’s hot. Like super-hot,” Saar mouths.

“Cool down, you can have him in twelve months.”

And while I throw the idea out there, the possibility squeezes at my stomach and spreads bitterness in my mouth.

She laughs. “You’re such a good friend. I might be desperate, but not enough to grab your leftovers.”

We move the conversation to other, inconsequential topics for a bit before I walk them out.

After shutting the door behind them, I hesitate at the base of the stairs. A part of me wants to go hide in my room, but I also want to face Baldo to see where we stand.

Why is it so awkward to be around him?Because you got drunk and propositioned him.Okay, I better address the disaster head on.

I find him in the library, sitting behind Mom’s large desk by the picture window, opening his laptop.

“Your friends left?”

“Yes. What are you doing?”

“I’m going to set up here.” He looks at me. “If you don’t mind. I’m assuming you haven’t been using this office?”

Because I don’t work?“And why would you assume that?” I spit out.

Fighting wasn’t the reason I came in here, but somehow I always find myself throwing verbal punches around this man.

“Because it’s Mom’s office and she only left a few days ago. Did you plan on using it?”

“No.” I stand there and fidget while he ignores me. “I’ll be upstairs.”

Not sure why I feel the need to share that. It’s not like we owe each other our whereabouts.

“Hold on.” He gets a box from his briefcase and hands it to me. “I got you a new phone. Your old one is canceled and all data transferred to this one.”

I stare at the box. “How?”

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