Page 14 of Vincenzo's Promise
“I can respect that,” he said, after his amusement died down. “I will see you tomorrow at seven, Bella.”
“See you tomorrow, Zo.” I chuckled when he groaned, ended the call, and exhaled. “Well, that went better than expected. Now, I have a date tomorrow.”
I couldn’t help but beam. There was something in Vincenzo’s voice. Maybe it was intrigue, but I couldn’t wait to see what it was about him that caused my heart to race like it would leap from my chest.
I strolled back into the living room, my steps a little lighter than they had been.
“That grin on your face says everything went better than expected,” Cheryl said.
“It did, and I have a date tomorrow.” I plopped in the chair beside her, grabbing one of the chorizo-stuffed bacon wrapped dates from the container. Bursts of flavors from the red piquillo sauce, smoky bacon, and Mexican chorizo caused my eyes to flutter when the taste coated my tongue.
She looked at me with widened eyes. “You must really like this guy. I couldn’t get you to go on a single date with anybody. Even that cute personal trainer at the gym you wouldn’t give the time of day.”
“While Shane is cute, he has a tough time saying no to anyone who wants to haveextratraining sessions with him. You should hear the women talk about how much they love the things he does with his tongue.”
“Are you serious?” she asked, laughing.
I nodded. “Very serious. I don’t need a man who is also running a side business where clients pay him for hisextratrainingservices.”
“Do you remember when Dr. Daniels asked you out? You crushed that man’s heart. He sulked for months. Some of the nurses said that’s the reason he left.”
“Why? Because of me? I don’t believe that.” I popped another date in my mouth. “He could have any woman he wants. He wouldn’t have gotten stuck on me like that. But anyway, there was something about him I didn’t like. He gave me the creeps.”
I shuddered, thinking back to the way he’d ogled me and made any kind of excuse to be next to me during rounds, or how he’d show up where I was sometimes if I was out eating or shopping. He made my skin crawl. I was relieved when I’d heard he left the hospital, but no one knew where he went. It was surprising that people believed it had to do with my rejection of him.
“Well, Dr. Creepy is back,” she said.
I frowned. “Are you serious?” I questioned.
She nodded.
“When did he get back?”
“Not sure. I haven’t seen him personally, but you know how gossipy nurses can be, especially about the doctors. Idoknow he asked about you, according to Connie.”
“Oh, god. Well, I hope he stays clear of me.”
“Just as soon as you announce your engagement, he’ll get the hint.”
“I hope so.”
“So, tell me about Vincenzo.”
“There’s not much I can tell you, Cheryl,” I said. “But I want you to understand this thing with Vincenzo is different. It’s something you’ll probably never understand, and it’s a world I’m going to have to learn to navigate myself. But I don’t like Vincenzo. I don’t know the man enough to like him. However, there is something about him, I can admit. If he’s anything like my father, he’ll be charming, but not someone I can trust with my heart.”
“So why even go through with any of this Bella?” she asked.
“You know who my father and brothers are. Vincenzo is just like them. It’s something I have to do for my family.” I didn’t feel like explaining this situation anymore beyond that. She didn’t need to know my family’s lives were at stake, and her first inclination would be to call the police. Cheryl would never understand what went on in this life. Most of it, I didn’t understand myself. Now, it would be something I would learn quickly.
“So, do you want to help me pick out my dress for tomorrow night?” I asked. “I want something sophisticated, but also something that shows Zo no matter what he will face by marrying me, I’m worth it.”
“Zo?” She nudged me with her shoulder, a knowing smile crossing her face. “Okay, let’s go shopping so the big bad mob boss won’t know what hit him when he sees you.”
“You read my mind.”
Now, it was time to show my soon-to-be husband why I was worth the trouble we were about to cause.
