Page 26 of Matteo

“You weren’t kidding about the car. You’re getting me a car?” He really is crazy.

His chuckle skims up my tummy. Those dimples are flashing at me. Layla laughs when she sees him do it. “Yes, you’re getting a vehicle. For when you need to run errands and get around the city.”

“I have the truck.”

“The truck doesn’t seem dependable or safe for you and Layla. It’s in the parking garage. However, I would rather you sold it and kept the money for emergencies.”

I can’t believe he’s so nonchalant about me selling the truck and keeping the money—not even giving him that to pay him back for buying me a car.

“I was told it didn’t have air conditioning. Driving around in the Texas heat without air conditioning will make you sick. It’s not a big deal. I bought a vehicle for my last housekeeper. While, yes, it wasn’t until hers broke down, not allowing her to do all I needed her to do. It was necessary then, and it’s necessary now.” He shrugs.

I finally understand. He bought his last housekeeper a car, so he doesn’t see it as a big deal to buy me one. Rich, rich is one thing in theory, another in action. “It just seems like such a waste.”

A frown appears, and Layla, who is staring at him intensely, also frowns. It’s adorable. “It isn’t to me. I want to ensure you’re driving something that isn’t going to leave you and Layla stranded or isn’t safe if you were in an accident. If you’re running around doing things for me, then you’ll get a vehicle to do said running around in.”

He pauses, “I have a vehicle my mother bought me that I haven’t been driving. Since it’s a BMW SUV, I didn’t think it was a good look for me to drive it to the clinic every day. So, I bought a non-luxury SUV almost as safe. I’m happy for you to drive the BMW as it’s one of the safest vehicles on the road. And I’ll buy a new one for myself—in case I need to drive Layla, or you need to use my vehicle.”

“Why can’t I have the non-luxury one? Then you won’t have to buy anything.”

“Because the BMW is safer. I’m going to donate the other one to a local charity.”

“You’re still buying a new vehicle in the end, though.” I melt a little inside at his concern enough to purchase the same thing for him to drive on the off chance he’ll need to drive Layla. His concern for our safety isn’t something I can argue against. “Okay, I give up.”

“Good.” I like he isn’t smug. “Now, if you’re not going to help me with my family, how about helping me figure out what I’m supposed to do now that I’m not working eighty hours a week. Tell me, is there anything you did or wish you could do for fun? Give me some ideas.”

Embarrassed, I sigh. “I haven’t had time to myself in years, even before I had Layla.”

“There wasn’t anything you liked to do or wish you had time for? You’re about to get more time for yourself soon. I hope I’m not messy enough for you to spend more than forty hours a week cleaning and cooking. Even if you do have Layla to take care of at the same time. You mentioned painting.”

“It’s been years.” I sigh. “I used to love drawing and painting.”

“I have to admit I don’t know much about art. I’ve heard mentions of oil, watercolor, and acrylic. Was there one you preferred over the other?”

“Well, watercolors were the least expensive. I like working with them. Acrylic was cheaper than oils and you could build them to create more dimension. I got some super cheap oils when I first started dating Danny. He made me feel like shit for spending the money—even though it was mine. I wished I could afford to paint with them after I ran out. For years, I kept to sketching and drawing. Maybe I’ll get a new sketchbook and some pencils.”

I’m excited and looking forward to it. Worried I’m talking too much, I turn the question around on him. “You don’t have any hobbies at all? Not even when you were a kid?”

He shrugs. “I like Legos because my grandfather bought them for us as—I think—a step toward the construction business. Aside from working out, I didn’t allow anything to take my attention from studying and work. My sister-in-law joked about teaching me to cook. I’m not against it. I simply want to enjoy my time without there being an end result I’m working towards.” For the first time, he's self-conscious. “Sorry, that’s probably a very rich person thing to say.”

“No, I get it. Doing something without a goal feels self-indulgent. But it shouldn’t be. Why does everything have to be a form of work with a goal in mind? Why can’t it be just because you want to?” I shrug when he gives me a wry smile that causes flips inside my tummy. “You mentioned your brothers. How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

His smile is wide. “I don’t have any sisters. My mother tried. She stopped when she got her fourth son.”

“Four boys? Your poor mom. That sounds like pure chaos.”

The smile slips. “My mother was hands-off. We were raised by nannies.”

“I’m sorry.” It’s clear it’s not a great memory.

One shoulder lifts. “While I resented it growing up, I came to understand since it was how she was raised, she didn’t know better. She was married off at eighteen for money to save her family. By the time she was sixteen, they were living on credit provided by their name alone. My grandfather had it with my father’s antics and thought marriage would settle him. It didn’t. He kept sleeping around and getting into trouble long after they were married.”

“Wait, her parents basically sold her into marriage? And he cheated on your mom, and they didn’t divorce?” Holy crap.

Nodding, he sighs. “Marriage among those with money is rarely about love. It’s more commonly about consolidating money and power. My mother was raised to accept it. My father’s family had money but no name, and her family had a name but no money. It was a perfect match for everyone but my mother. Divorce wasn’t done in her family or in their social circle.”

“How sad.” No wonder his mom is so fierce. She had to be to survive.

He shrugs. “She doesn’t regret their marriage, which surprises me. As far as she’s concerned, having us was worth it to her. Even with the pain she endured when my oldest brother died of an overdose at seventeen. I think it’s why she was so intent on gaining custody of his son—almost like a replacement for the son she lost.”

---