Page 39 of Beneath the Sapphire Sky

“Oh?”

“And I’m truly flattered you would ask. I mean, you’re extremely good-looking and seem to be a really nice guy and I’m sure it would be loads of fun.”

Raph grinned at her. “But?”

“But I don’t think it would be a good idea.”

“Because?” He stopped sweeping and held his arms out wide. “Hit me with it. I have broad shoulders. I can take it.”

His joke worked. She laughed.

“Fine. Because you’re the wrong Casellati.”

Raph leaned his chin on his hand on top of the broom. “I see. And you think the other one might object if you start dating me?”

Belle laughed. “I should hope so, because I slept with him two nights ago.”

Raph straightened, eyes widening.

So, he doesn’t know.

A strange mixture of defeat and smug satisfaction rippled over his face.

“Well now, what do you know! Took you guys long enough.”

Belle hugged the bucket to herself and shrugged. She hated to admit it, but she refused to be dishonest with him. “It’s not like we’re dating or anything.”

“Yet.”

Belle had to smile at Raph’s continued optimism—in everything. Since he’d come over, all he’d done was be positive and bolster their spirits to the point where it was difficult to be completely miserable, even considering what had happened only the day before.

“You have an inflated opinion of my allure, Raphael. Dante’s never been falling over himself to date me.”

Or anyone else, come to think of it. Sure, he dated on and off, but nothing serious, and nothing that lasted a long time.

She put the bucket down near a rolling stainless steel bench.

“Not that I’m asking him to. We had a thing. It might be a one-off, it might not. I’m not going to get myself all wound up about it.”

Biggest lie of the century, but she wasn’t about to admit to Dante’s brother that if he didn’t follow up on his parting comments the previous morning, that she’d be more than wound up.

She’d be devastated.

Raph leaned the broom against the bench and lifted her chin. It was distinctly uncomfortable, him being so close and being so familiar, since they didn’t know each other all that well anymore.

“While I appreciate the honesty, I think you severely underestimate your appeal.”

He stepped back and Belle took a steadying breath. It was if he looked into her soul. She didn’t want him to see what she was trying to hide from herself.

That if she wasn’t careful, she might just end up falling in love with Dante Casellati.

She let the breath out in a burst and blew her fringe out of her face. She had the distinct impression that she might be too late.

Chapter Fourteen

Dante packed thelast few bottles into the approved container and stapled it shut with the portable nail gun.

He wiped his hands on the seat of his jeans and nodded.

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