Page 28 of The Baby His Secretary Carries

“Thanks,” she murmured, even as she acknowledged that comfort was not what she was wanted from Gio.

She wanted what their kisses had promised.Fire.

She couldn’t, though. Shouldn’t. Beyond the immediate problem of her pregnancy, they really were from two different worlds. She was a smart, dedicated employee, so she didn’t have imposter syndrome about her ability to do her job, but she felt the side-eye at work now that everyone knew they were engaged. They were all wondering how a midlevel employee had risen to the top and caught the boss’s personal attention. None of the explanations were flattering.

On the other hand, her lack of a real future with Gio made a brief affair now, while she had the chance, seem justified. If her choice was no cake or a crumb, she wanted the crumb.

“We should leave soon,” Gio said as he drained his coffee.

“Hmm? I didn’t think we were going into the office today.” It was Saturday and she was still in her yoga shorts and a loose T-shirt over her sports bra, having done her stretches before joining him in the garden for breakfast.

“We have the party in Milan tonight. You need to be fitted for a gown.”

“I have gowns.” She’d been planning to try them on after her shower.

“Those are samples that designers send in hopes of gaining your attention,” he disclosed. “This is a very high-profile party and your first event as my fiancée. You’ll want something you’ve chosen yourself.”

Thatshechose? Or he did? This was exactly what she had meant when she called herself Podunk. She didn’t know how to choose an evening gown for a high-profile event. Nor did she want to be molded by him into someone he thought was good enough to be seen beside him.

“I’ll check in with Nonno, to be sure he’s comfortable with our being away for the night.” Gio rose.

“The night?” she repeated, halting him.

“We’ll stay in Milan unless he wants us to come home. Can you be ready in thirty minutes?”

She was ready in ten, seeing as the maid had already packed for her. She had a quick shower and snuck her prenatal vitamins into her bag, then went to Otto’s room to sayarrivederci.

“What color is your gown tonight?” Otto asked her.

“I don’t know yet. Apparently, I’m choosing something when we get to Milan.”

“The white serpent, then,” Otto said to Gio and pointed to the safe.

“Otto,” Molly protested.

“Call me Nonno. Yes, that’s the one.” He nodded at Gio to open the velvet case.

It was a snake of diamonds—literally a serpent-shaped head biting its own dangling tail. Each reticulated scale held nine diamante diamonds and the head was an eye-catching sparkle of tapered baguets. Matching earrings were fashioned to appear as though the serpent had pierced through the wearer’s earlobes.

“I had that made for our fifth anniversary. Theresa loved it. She didn’t enjoy big parties, but these always sparked compliments and conversation, which put her at ease.”

Molly was genuinely falling in love with this caring, old-world gentleman.

“I would be honored to wear it, Nonno. What else can I tell people about it?”

He told her about the designer and why he’d chosen it and where he’d presented it to his wife and how she had reacted. His eyes were damp by the time he’d finished.

“That’s enough from me,” he said, patting her hand. “You go enjoy yourselves.”

“This is killing me,” Molly said when they were aboard Gio’s helicopter.

She ought to be getting used to the luxury that his level of wealth afforded, but she was still agog at the private cabin with four armchairs arranged around a round table with drink holders set into it. The decor was slate-gray and silver, the windows huge and tinted, offering a view from ground to clouds as they lifted out of the city and traveled over green pastures and rolling hills.

“What is?” Gio prompted.

Molly was trying to be careful about not twisting the antique ring on her finger, but she constantly checked to be sure it was still there, terrified she would lose it.

“You have to tell your grandfather the truth, Gio. I like him too much to lie to him.”

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