Page 59 of Sexting My Ex's Dad
Oh, Paul ... .Evenif it was just a fluke, there is something going on between me and Elio — even if I don’t have the name for it.
I take a deep breath, preparing to reveal the truth about Elio and me when my gaze is suddenly drawn towards the entrance of the restaurant. There, standing in the doorway, is none other than Elio himself.
What is he doing here? And why is he looking right at me?
“Stella?” Paul asks, his voice wavering with concern as he notices my sudden distraction.
“Uh, just give me a second,” I mutter, unable to tear my eyes away from Elio’s piercing blue ones.
“Is everything okay?” Paul presses, reaching across the table to touch my hand gently, but I barely register his presence…how can I when Elio is here?
“Paul, I…” My voice trails off as I watch Elio stride confidently through the restaurant, accompanied by a group of sharply dressed men. Even in such distinguished company, Elio outshines them all, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. Clearly, I’m not the only one who thinks it by the long line of women staring after him.
“Stella, what’s going on?” Paul asks again.
I sigh. I can’t leave him hanging.
“Elio’s here,” I whisper, finally snapping out of my trance and turning back to face him. “He just walked in.”
“Who’s Elio?” Paul inquires, his eyebrows furrowing in concern.
“Someone I… know” I say hesitantly, unsure whether or not I should tell Paul the whole truth.
Why is Elio here? Does he know I’m on a date with Paul? It wouldn’t be unlike him to stalk me – especially after I’ve been avoiding his messages the last twenty four hours.
“Do you need to leave?” Paul asks, trying to catch a glimpse of Elio over my shoulder.
“No,” I reply firmly, steeling myself for whatever may come. “Let’s just enjoy our time together, okay?”
“Alright, if you’re sure,” Paul agrees, clearly sensing my discomfort but choosing to go along with it anyways.
As we continue our conversation, I can’t help but steal glances at Elio from the corner of my eye. Apart from looking at me whenhe’d first came in, he doesn’t seem to acknowledge that I exist now, engrossed in a discussion with his associates.
But every so often, our eyes lock again, and the intensity of that connection leaves me breathless.
I have to tell Paul the truth — I can’t play games with him.
“Paul,” I begin, taking a deep breath and summoning all the courage I can muster, “About that guy I was texting…there’s something you should know.”
33
ELIO
Isit among my business partners, bored out of my mind, as their voices meld into a hum of financial jargon and industry talk. The oil company’s offer to sell us their business seems like a tantalizing opportunity, but I can’t focus on the numbers or the implications. My mind is tethered to Stella March, her vibrant laughter echoing through my thoughts as if she were sitting right beside me.
It’s not like she’s much further than that. And she’s sitting with another man…what the fuck?
“Think about it, Mr. Lombardi,” one partner says, pulling me back into the conversation momentarily. “With this acquisition, we could expand our reach further than ever before.”
I nod, feigning interest, while my mind races with frustration and fury.
This woman should mean nothing to me, yet the idea of her with someone else…it’s enough to make me see red.
What’s so special about him anyways?
It’s a complete coincidence that I’d chosen the same restaurant as Stella tonight, and I’m never a huge believer of fate however what else would I call this?
I’m not easily surprised but walking in and seeing her with another man…I could barely hide the shock on my face. If I hadn’t been accompanied, I would have walked straight over to her and seen the guilt on her face up close.
