Page 199 of The Bonus

I walk out onto the front porch and am greeted with Gabriel Ferrara in all his masculine glory. Gray power suit with crisp white shirt, dark freshly washed hair, and a jaw so square that it could cut glass. His aftershave has been sent straight from Aphrodite herself.

“Hi,” I say awkwardly.

He rolls his lips and nods. “I’d like to take the children to school.”

“Of course.”

“And I’ll be picking them up and going back to my house for an early dinner. I’ll have them home around seven thirty.”

I open my mouth to protest.

“I return to New York tonight and won’t see them again until Friday when I return.”

The kids’ eyes flick to meet mine. “Can we go, Mom?” Lucia begs.

Even Dom seems excited.

“Sure.”

Dom runs inside to get his schoolbag and Lucia kisses me goodbye and then walks down to Gabriel’s car to wait.

“Are you okay?” I ask him. “I know last night was awkward, but we really are better off as friends.”

“Don’t talk to me.”

My face falls. “What, why?”

“Because I’m not interested in anything you have to say.” He turns and walks down the steps to his car.

Dominic comes out with his little backpack on and kisses me goodbye. “Have a good day, sweetheart.” I fake a smile.

I watch them get into the car and drive away, and just like that they’re gone…with him. He’s going to get nasty, I can just feel it.

This could be the beginning of the end.

Gabriel

We drive down the road and my eyes flick to watch Grace disappear in the rearview mirror. My heart is in my throat, I was hoping that after thinking on it all night she would have had a change of heart.

Obviously not.

Ouch…

“So.” I fake a smile to the children. “Tell me where your school is.”

“You go up here and turn that way,” Dom says as he puts his little hand up.

“You mean right?”

He frowns.

“That’s your right hand, so that direction is right.”

“Oh yes.” He nods.

“I’m left-handed,” Lucia announces.

“You are?” I frown.

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