Page 81 of Falling for Them

Her face fell. “What’s wrong?”

There was no easy way to tell her, so I spit it all out. “Someone took photos of the three of us kissing this weekend and there’s a gossip article online. It doesn’t name us.”

She looked taken aback and then turned to her computer, typing furiously, no doubt searching for the article. She gasped, her hand going over her mouth. “Ethan.”

“It’s not that bad. It even calls us gorgeous.” I stood, walking around the desk to comfort her.

The article she’d pulled up wasn’t the one with us, though. It was a new one that had been released not even ten minutes ago.

Leonardo Caponetti, Heir to Bella Grand Hotel Empire, Announces Engagement to Clara Accardo

The Caponetti family today announced the engagement of Leonardo Caponetti, youngest son of Lorenzo Caponetti, of the Bella Grand Hotel Group, to Clara Accardo, daughter of prominent business leader, Carlo Accardo.

The announcement comes after recent media speculation surrounding Mr. Caponetti’s personal life. In a statement, the Caponetti family said:

“We are delighted to share the news of Leonardo’s engagement to Clara Accardo. As he prepares to take on a larger role within the family business, we believe this union will provide stability and position Leonardo for future success. The Caponetti and Accardo families have enjoyed a longstanding relationship, and we look forward to welcoming Clara into our family.”

Mr. Caponetti and Ms. Accardo met through their families’ shared business interests and have been dating for the past eleven months.

“I am excited to take this next step with Clara,” said Mr. Caponetti. “She is a wonderful woman, and I look forward to building a life together as we continue our careers and commitment to philanthropic endeavors.”

Further details will be provided at a later date.

“This can’t be true.” I read the press release twice, trying to make sense of what I was reading.

Libby didn’t say anything and clicked back to the search engine, adding Clara Accardo to the search. A ton of pictures of Leo with a gorgeous woman came up and my stomach dropped.

Had we been a final fling before he was married?

“I should get back to work.” Libby’s voice was flat and emotionless.

“Libby…” I spun her chair around and knelt in front of her, taking her hands, which were shaking.

“We trusted him.” She shook her head, and her eyes filled with tears.

“I’ll wait here with you, and we can talk to him when he gets back.” I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I was struggling not to throw something across the room.

“I want to get back to work.” She blinked a few times and gave me a small smile. “I’ll see you at lunch?”

And just like that, I watched the walls go back up around her heart.

I reluctantly stood up, my heart breaking at what this was going to do to her, even if it was all a big misunderstanding. “Okay, I’ll give you some space. Text me if you need me before lunch.”

She swiveled back to her computer, her eyes already back on her screen. “Please shut the door on your way out.”

I did as she asked, my mind reeling as I walked to the elevator. How could Leo do this to us? To Libby? We’d let him into our lives and our hearts. And for what?

The elevator dinged, and as the doors slid open, I came face to face with the man himself. Leo looked like absolute shit with his hair a mess and his tie askew.

Good. He deserved to feel as awful as we did.

Before he could step off, I pushed my way in, forcing him back against the wall, and jabbed the button for my floor.

As soon as the doors closed, I rounded on him. “What the fuck, Leo? An engagement? Eleven months of dating?”

Leo’s eyes widened, and he fumbled for the emergency stop button. The elevator jerked to a halt. “Ethan, please. It’s not what you think-”

“Oh, really? Because it looks pretty damn clear to me. You’ve been lying to us this whole time!”

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