Page 2 of The Bonventi Secret
"You know," I say, leaning in closer, "I've been thinking about asking you out for coffee for weeks now. But I think I'm done with coffee."
Jake raises an eyebrow, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Oh? And what would you prefer instead?"
I meet his gaze head-on, my heart racing. "How about we get out of here, and I show you?"
For a moment, the party around us fades away.
It’s just Jake and me, standing there together.
Then someone bumps into me from behind, nearly causing me to spill my drink. The spell is broken, but the electricity between us remains.
Jake laughs, steadying me with a hand on my waist. "Careful there. Wouldn't want to ruin that dress."
I look up at him. "My place isn't far. We could continue this conversation somewhere a little less..."
My phone buzzes insistently in my purse. I pull it out, ready to silence whatever notification dares interrupt my mission.
But the name on the screen makes my chest tighten.
Gabriel.
My brother never calls unless it’s important. And "important" in Gabriel's world usually means trouble.
I hesitate, my hand frozen in mid-air, caught between touching Jake's arm again and answering the call that threatens to chase away the pleasant buzz of wine and success.
"Everything okay?" Jake asks, his face showing slight concern.
I force a smile. "It's my brother. I should probably take this. Give me just a minute?"
Jake nods, his concerned face shifting to a disappointed one before he masks it with an understanding smile. "Of course. I'll wait right here for you, Dr. Falcone."
"Not a doctor yet," I smile and turn.
I slip out of the crowded hall, the smell of cheap wine and sweat disappearing in the cool night air. My heels click against the concrete as I make my way to a secluded spot near some trees. With a deep breath, I slide to answer the call.
"Gabriel? What's going on?"
"Livia." His voice is firm. "I got your message about coming a few weeks late, but that won't work. You need to come to Chicago. Now."
I feel a flash of irritation and rage starting to build within me. "What? No, I can't just?—"
"This isn't a request. Pack a bag. I'll have someone pick you up in an hour."
"An hour?" I sputter, my voice rising. "What the fuck, Gabriel? I'm at a party. I just won a fellowship, for Christ's sake. I'm not going to just drop everything and?—"
"Livia." The sharpness in his tone makes me flinch. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. You know that."
I do know that. And it’s what terrifies me.
"Look," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I appreciate you looking out for me, but things are different now. I won this fellowship. It's huge, Gabe. I'll have the funds to finish my dissertation, defend it in the fall. I won't need you to cover my expenses anymore."
There’s a long pause on the other end of the line. When Gabriel speaks again, his voice is softer, almost pleading. "I know how much your work means to you, Liv. But this... this is bigger than that. Please. Trust me."
I close my eyes, leaning against the rough bark of a nearby tree, my head slightly spinning from the boxed wine. "Gabe, I have plans. There's this guy, Jake. He's brilliant, he's gorgeous and?—"
"Forget about him." Gabriel's voice is firm. "He's not important right now."
"Not important?" I say, feeling the anger overtake my irritation. "You don't get to decide what's important in my life, Gabriel. I'm thirty years old, for fuck's sake. I have a right to?—"
