Page 14 of Strictly Business

“It’s gonna be okay, Nin. He’ll get over it.”

“Maybe tomorrow, but not tonight.”

“So, you really weren’t gonna tell him?”

Nina smiles and pours another glass. “If everything came back fine, why worry him?”

“But, they said—”

“Wishful thinking, I guess.”

Without a second thought, I hug the woman in front of me. She takes a shaky breath, but when we part there is no sign of the brokenness moments earlier. Taking a step back, she pours another glass and downs it without so much as a wince and asks, “So, are you ready to talk?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.” I step into the living room a few paces behind her, falling into the large sofa. The coffee table is littered with wedding debris — menu cards, a seating chart, floral arrangement examples, and color samples. How does she ever get any sleep when she has constant reminders of things that need to be done lying around?

“Oh, come on, Mic. Something is going on,” Nina scoffs, rolling her eyes and taking a rather large sip of wine. “You’ve been acting weird for months. You’re falling behind at work, you’re always late, you were rude to Romy in Italy, you’re avoiding your parents, and—”

“Everything is fine. I promise.”

“Is it David?"

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

I avoid her gaze, but she leans down into my line of vision and says, “Maybe because he hasn’t been around lately.”

“David hasn’t been around since we moved to New York.”

“This is more than normal,” she argues. “Sure, Barnes keeps him busy, but I haven’t seen him once in the past few months. Are you guys having problems?”

“We’re fine.” The statement comes out harsher than I mean for it to, and she puts her hands up in defense. I repeat myself, softer this time, tracing the rim of my glass.

She stares at me for a moment then shakes her head and goes to the kitchen to make another drink. Just like Elizabeth, she doesn’t believe me, but she’s not going to push it. Pouring more whiskey into the glass, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I need you to help me with something in the coming weeks.” The smirk tugging on her lips when she finally meets my stare tells me I’m not going to like what she has in store. “I have a project at corporate that I need covered, and I think you’re just the person for it.”

“Corporate? Nina, what are you—”

“You wanted a change, right? I’m giving it to you.”

“Wait, does this mean you are firing me?”

“No,” she laughs. “I’m trying something out and giving you a little extension on your timeline.”

“Who’s going to run the office?”

“You have some time to figure that out, you’ll be at the office Monday and Tuesday. Take that time to get everything prepared. I need you at corporate starting Wednesday.”

Chapter Seven

MICHAELA

THREE MONTHS AGO

CHAMPAGNE STONE BUILT THE walls of the estate home Nina rented for our time in the Estranei countryside. She had chosen it because it reminded her of her home in Haven — a secluded, private estate with stunning views. Complete by an expansive garden and a pool overlooking the lush Italian countryside with five buildings on the grounds: the main house, an annex, a pool house, a barn, and servants’ quarters. A courtyard separates the annex from the main house — Nina and Elizabeth share the main house, while I will be in the annex with Nina’s long-lost cousin who has yet to arrive. At the top of the courtyard, a dining terrace off the kitchen features a wood-fired pizza oven and an extra-long farmhouse table. Two more terraces hold a smaller dining table perfect for morning breakfast and an outdoor fire pit with seating.

Being here feels like living in a fairytale — one I’m not sure I want to leave. And for the last day and a half, Elizabeth and I have been taking the opportunity to enjoy some peace and quiet before what is sure to be a long two weeks.

“She’s here!” I hear Nina call from the main house.

She being Romy Beaumont, the daughter of Audrey Beaumont and granddaughter of Caterina Villa, sister of Lorenzo Villa. Lorenzo was Nina’s grandfather who moved to the United States following the death of his parents. Caterina left Italy two years before their death when she turned eighteen to pursue a career in fashion, much to her parents’ dismay. After leaving Estranei, she lost contact with her family until her daughter, Audrey, got in contact with Nina’s dad before his sudden death. Unbeknownst to his family, until Audrey reached out to Nina almost a year later. When Audrey introduced Nina and Romy, there was an instant connection, like long-lost sisters.

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