Page 35 of Beautiful Desire

“Our bridal brunch, silly.”

Shit. I completely forgot about that. Not wanting Gia to know her maid of honor, the one whoplannedthis brunch, forgot about it, I plaster a smile on my face as I look at my glowing best friend.

“Of course I didn’t forget. I have my dress right here. See?” I say, raising my hand to show her my half wrinkled yellow sundress.

Gia’s smile falters a little as she looks over my crumpled-up dress. “It’s okay if you want to go shower. We have time and don’t mind waiting.”

“I’m good, G. I already showered this morning.”

“But—” she starts to say before Fabi comes up behind her, putting his around her shoulder and cutting her off.

“She’s fine, dolcezza. It’s just a casual brunch outside. Plus, it’s a bit of a drive, and we really should be going if we want to make it there on time,” Fabi says.

Checking her watch, she realizes the time and agrees with her husband. Looking at Fabi, I mouththank you, and he replies with a nod. The newlyweds head for the door as I make my way to the bathroom to get dressed.

Taking a look at myself in the mirror, I can now see why Gia was adamant about me getting ready. My hair has air-dried into my natural curls and is plastered to the right side of my head. That must have been the side I fell asleep on. Fluffing it out, I attempt to try to make it look better, but I’m not sure it works. Opening the drawer of the vanity, I rummage around until I find a hair tie.

Putting it into a loose high ponytail, I pull my yellow sundress over my bathing suit and give myself a once-over in the mirror, and I’m quite impressed. My hair looks like I spent hours on it getting the perfect beach waves, and my tanned skin looks great against the yellow of my dress.

* * *

Twenty minutes later, we arrive at La Terrazza Lago di Como. I remember picking this place solely for the pictures online, but those don’t do it any justice. In person, it’s so much more beautiful and romantic.

Since I don’t speak Italian, Fabi gives the hostess our reservation name, and she escorts us to a private area on the outdoor terrace overlooking Lake Como. It truly is a thing of beauty. Before I can take my seat, Gia comes up to me and gives me a big hug.

“What was that for?” I ask as she pulls away.

“This place is absolutely beautiful, Elle. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for our wedding. Especially since you’ve been so busy at work,” she says, with a hint of worry in her voice.

“Well, that’s my job as your best friend and maid of honor,” I say, bopping her nose.

She swats my hand away and gives me a stern look. Blowing out a breath, I get real with her.

“I’m fine, G. Really. Work is busier than ever. There’s a new investor who wants to buy out the company, which just adds on to all the things I already do for Peter. I can’t complain, though, because he pays me well.”

“Yeah, but you’re not being used for your true potential. You have a degree in business. You should be using that instead of being Peter’s PA. That was only supposed to be your temporary job until you worked your way up. Six years as a PA is a long time, babe. I feel like he’s holding you back, and I don’t like it.”

Gia sits in a huff, and I’m trying to keep my anger at bay. I’ve had this conversion more times than I can count between my parents and Gia. I know she’s looking out for me and means well, but I can’t help feeling like she’s also insinuating that my job as a PA isn’t good enough. My parents, however, tell me all the time how disappointed they are in my career choice. They expected more of me, but that’s not what I wanted. I know she’s coming from a place of love, but right now, it just doesn’t feel that way.

Or maybe it just feels like another blow to my ego today after finding out Dom left.

Sitting down opposite G and next to Marco, I grit my teeth and choose my next words wisely. I’m aware it could start a fight, and that’s the last thing I want to do, especially today.

“Look, I know being Peter’s PA isn’t the dream job. He knows he can’t hold on to me forever, but I won’t leave him high and dry either. He’s paying almost the same amount I would be making if I were an executive. So really, I can’t complain. I know being a personal assistant isn’t glamourous, and it’s not animportantjob like my dad and brother have, but I work my ass off. I’m damn good at what I do, and I enjoy it!” I’m all worked up and breathing heavily.

I was already in a sour mood with Dom leaving, and now I feel like I’m two feet tall, having to defend my profession. I'm just so sick of everyone coming at me for my job title.

“That’s not what I meant at all. I didn’t mean to upset you—” Gia starts to say before I hold up my hand and cut her off.

“I know you weren’t, G. I guess I just took out my aggression on you because I’m sick of having this same exact conversation with my dad and Jett. I’m sorry.”

Reaching over the table, she gives my hand a squeeze and mouths,Love you, bitch.

My dad and brother have always given me a hard time for my career choice. They expected me to follow in their footsteps of being a lawyer, then becoming a judge, and look down on me for still being a personal assistant at twenty-seven.

Marco bumps my shoulder with his, and when I look at him, he gives me one of his very rare smiles. I return the gesture before grabbing and opening my menu, only to be met with everything in Italian.

Closing it, I set it back down on the table in front of me and announce, “Guess I won’t be eating. It’s all in Italian.”

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