Page 12 of Beautiful Desire

We both laugh at that last part, but Gia sobers quickly.

“So, why did you leave?”

“C’mon, G, you know why I left. I never stay. Plus, it was at a work wedding. I don’t need that kind of gossip getting out.”

This time, she doesn’t pry any more. Instead, she leans over, takes my hand, and looks me straight in the eye.

“You deserve this happiness too, Elle. You’ve gotta try.”

Pools of tears well in my eyes at her words. I want to feel the happiness she has, but I don’t know if I can ever put my heart out there again to try. I give her a tight smile before she lets go of my hand and goes back inside to refill our glasses.

Much to my delight, Gia has dropped the conversation about the guy from the wedding. We’re hoping Fabi won’t be much longer with his business meeting so we can have dinner. Not five minutes later, we hear Fabi and another deep, silky-smooth voice getting closer. One I haven’t been able to get out of my head. I’m wishing his business meeting never ended, as they round the table and stand in front of us.

“Elle, this is one of my old friends and now-business partner, Dominic. Dom, this is Gia’s best friend, Elle.”

Kill. Me. Now.

What in the actual fuck? What are the chances? Like one in a million?

Trying not to show how much I’m panicking on the inside, I school my features and plaster on what I hope looks like a genuine smile. I give a little wave and mumble “hi” before excusing myself to the bathroom.

I’m just about to reach the bathroom when I’m tapped from behind. I let out a yelp before turning around to see Dominic standing there.

“What the hell? You almost gave me a heart attack,” I whisper-shout at him while laying my hand over my rapidly beating heart.

“Sorry. I just wanted to come find you and make sure you were okay. I didn’t know you were going to be here when Fab invited me to stay for dinner.”

“Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be? And how would you? It’s not like we exchanged numbers,D.”

“Because you didn’t want to. You and yourrules.”

Oh, he’s got some nerve. I can feel my blood boiling, and I’m pretty sure I look like one of those cartoon characters with smoke blowing out of their ears. I square my shoulders, facing him head-on, and cross my arms over my chest before responding.

“What are you even doing here, anyway?”

“Did you not listen to Fab before? I’m his business partner and was here for a meeting.”

“Well, Gia’s my best friend, so—”

“And I’m Fabi’s.”

We stand there staring at one another, not saying a word. I try not to check him out, but my eyes have a mind of their own.

Damn, does he look good. Crisp navy suit that looks like it’s molded to his body, emphasizing his muscles. Dark stubble lines his jaw in a neatly kept beard that matches his perfectly “just fucked” styled hair I want to run my hands through,again. And his perfect blue eyes that really pop against the navy of his suit, staring back at me.

“Like what you see?” he says as he gives a knowing smirk.

Self-centered bastard.

Of course I like what I see. Anyone with eyes would like what they see when they look at him.

“If you’re done drooling over me, I’ll be heading back. Unless you need help using the bathroom?” Once again, he gives me a smirk before it turns into a smile.

“I think I can manage on my own, thanks.”

“Suit yourself. You know where to find me if you need any help.” He winks at me before turning around and heading back.

I’m rooted in place as I try to get my body to calm down. I’m annoyed, mad, and turned on all at once. But I’m more confused than anything, because what the hell just happened?

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