Page 30 of The Wrong Fiancée

"Don't talk about Elsa like that; she's fantastic," I immediately went on the defensive. I adored my sisters-in-law, especially Elsa, with whom I had a close bond.

"But she doesn't have a PhD."

I downed the Scotch Dante had served. "Why don't you just say what you want to say?"

"You're a snob. When it comes to who you should have as a life partner, you lead with complete and total intellectual snobbery."

I couldn't really defend that because he was right. I did look up to people who were well educated, and those who weren't had to prove themselves worthy of my attention.

"I'm a shallow son of a bitch, is that it?"

"We all have our biases," Dante said kindly, "I'm not into virgins."

I chuckled. "Is this about your future wife?"

"Like hell," Dante scowled. "But getting back to you, I know you thought that Felicity's family is like yours, but they're not. Are they?"

I shook my head. "They're pretty focused on money. I find it uncouth, which now makes me a wealth snob."

"When the focus is the acquisition of wealth and not what it does for you, that's when the train goes off the tracks." Dante raised his glass in a toast.

We were the same age and met at university, quickly becoming friends. Our friendship eventually turned into a business relationship when the Giordano family, who owned a successful hotel and resort chain, contracted with Archer Arts & Antiquities to supply art for their high-end properties.

Dante and I were close and open with one another. He waslike a brother to me, and because we were all dark-haired and had blue eyes, sometimes people wondered if Dante and I were indeed brothers. But the minute he opened his mouth and his Italian accent struck, there was no doubt where he was from.

"Dad is going to find a way to help Elika. Can you find out which rehab center her sister is at?"

"Ka Pono," Dante supplied, and when I raised an eyebrow in inquiry, he chuckled. "I spoke with her boss to get a better sense of what’s going on in Elika’s life after you asked about her."

"She works a lot."

"She has to. Ka Pono is not cheap."

"She doesn't look like herself," I remarked. "She used to be full of life, and now it's like someone dimmed the light inside her."

"She's not had it easy. What were you doing when you were twenty-six?"

That was when I'd met Elika—and I had been living the life. Running the Asian operations of Archer Arts & Antiquities, traveling first-class around the world, extending vacations, and having a great time. Hell, I was doing all of those things now.

"Point taken."

"What will you do about Felicity?"

"I…we're engaged."

"That's not a permanent relationship. Hell, even marriage isn't."

"I love her, Dante."But did I?

"I'm going to say this for the last time. She's wrong for you. You're making a mistake. If you get married, I'll offer you my condolences instead of my congratulations."

"Well, you're all heart."

"Fuck, no. I'm an asshole, but I'm an honest one. Felicity is good on paper and fits the list your snobbish ass put together, butif you see her through your heart…I doubt she looks suitable."

"Did you say,heart?"

Dante shuddered. "I know, I'm not happy about that either. Feel like another drink?"

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