Page 17 of Mob Boss's Second Chance

She squeals. “Yes! Okay, I’m going to chip in so you don’t feel bad about the cost, but we also have to get you some shoes.”

“Sure,” I shrug, “why not?” We’ve already gotten the dress, so it’ll be a shame not to get shoes that match.

We do some more shopping and then more until the sun goes down, and we’re both exhausted and excited. I’mexhausted,and she’sexcited.

As we step out onto the bustling street, Danielle’s phone chimes. She sighs and hands me a shopping bag so she can check it. The moment her eyes scan the screen, her expression drops.

“He said no,” she groans, muttering a string of curses under her breath. “I asked for one day off after spending my entire weekend slaving for him, and he said no.”

“I’m sorry, Dany,” I say softly, trying to offer some comfort.

She turns to me, her bottom lip trembling slightly. “It’s fine. Honestly, I might hand in my resignation tomorrow; who knows? But I won’t be your plus one, so you’re on yourown.”

Right.

I had finally warmed up to the idea that having Danielle there would keep me grounded, but now that she’s out, my nerves start creeping in again.

“You’ll be fine,” she reassures me, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Seriously, you’ve got this.”

“Thanks,” I murmur, though her absence feels heavier than I want to admit.

“I’ve gotta run,” she says, already backing away. “I’ve got a million things to do before tomorrow. I’ll text you if I decide to quit!”

She waves over her head with one hand and darts into the crowd, leaving me standing there with a tight grip on the shopping bags and an even tighter knot in my chest.

I’ve got this.

I’m not a teenager in high school, and I’ve been through several “attractions.” Tomorrow is going to be what it is—just another day on the job.

Chapter Six

Ethan

Isee her the moment she walks into the room.

Black and white dress. Hair down to her shoulders. A pair of earrings catching the overhead lights. I haven’t been here for more than thirty minutes, evading conversations that have nothing to do with business—and even then, I’ve been awfully selective.

Even though the invitation arrived at my door, I wouldn’t have shown up if Anthony hadn’t worked his way into being the co-host.

“Do you want a drink, sir?” a server asks, balancing a silver tray with delicate glasses of frothy liquid.

I glance at him briefly, shaking my head. “No, thank you.”

With a polite nod, he moves on, but as I turn back, expecting to catch sight of her again, my chest tightens. She’s nowhere to be found.

My frown deepens as my gaze sweeps across the room, scanning through the mingling crowd. The seconds it took to decline that drinkwere all it took for her to vanish. I take a step forward, scanning more intently now. My eyes dart from corner to corner, over conversations and clusters of laughter. Nothing.

Where could she have gone?

I didn’t know she was going to be here… Natalie Monroe.

But I saw her—like her presence drew my gaze. I almost didn’t recognize her at first because she blended in so well and stood out at the same time.

The black-and-white dress clung to her bodice, and the skirt swept down from her waist to her legs, fanning out her silhouette. I would’ve never guessed that Natalie, in a cherry-red blouse and jeans, would own a gown that stunning.

And yet, I should’ve known.

Her laughter, the way she carried herself across the compound, and her easy, light, and almost flirty demeanor appealed to me in a way I couldn’t resist. If I wasn’t so busy picturing her naked, I might’ve imagined her in a dress like the one she was wearing.

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