Page 31 of The Sexy Billionaire

“We lost touch,” I say, which isn’t the truth. I broke her heart, but she doesn’t need to know that.

“And the first time you’d seen her since you were kids was at that funeral?” she asks.

“Yeah, first time in fifteen years. We were best friends growing up, and then, you know, you grow up,” I add.

“But now that you’ve seen her again, you can’t stop thinking about her?” Natalia questions.

“Ye—I mean no,” I say, tripping myself up.

My siblings burst out laughing at me.

“Stop being assholes. I’ve just been left by my fiancée for my sister at my own engagement party. I deserve to talk to someone who isn’t family about it.”

They both shut up quickly. “We’re just playing,” Luca says.

“Paige has enough baggage of her own. There is no way in hell either one of us would be looking for anything more than shared heartbreak,” I explain to them.

“Are you really that heartbroken?” Luca questions me.

I glare at him. That's not the point.

“Doesn’t matter how deep your feelings were for her, what they did was appalling. You should have a friend to talk to, Gio. She’s not going to sell the story, is she?” my sister asks, concern written all over her face.

“Doubtful, our families are in business together.”

“They’re what?” Natalia says, her voice raising with confusion.

“The vineyard near Florence, her family lent us the land to plant the vines for our wine. I think it was like a hundred years ago or something like that,” I explain.

Natalia’s mouth falls open. “Why have I never heard of this?”

“It’s not something you needed to know.”

“You were too young, but we used to go to the vineyard every summer growing up. We had the best time there, I miss it,” Luca explains to our sister.

“Me too. When I was down there it was like time had stopped, nothing had changed,” I tell him.

“This trip down memory lane is nice, but can you trust her?” my sister pushes.

“Yes,” I say, not like I know Paige now, but she’s had ample opportunity to sell her story and has never done so. But Natalia doesn’t look convinced.

“Just be careful, Gio,” she warns.

10

PAIGE

Giorgio: Hey, I’m sorry about dumping a heap of emotional baggage into your DMs like that. I fell asleep right after I sent you the message. If it helps, I’m suffering from the mother of all hangovers this morning. Hope you’re doing well and I’m sorry that you’re going through the same shit as me.

Iwasn’t expecting to hear from him again after his drunk texts. But his apology is sweet. He didn’t need to, but it was nice to get one. It’s wild to think we are both going through the same thing. I thought my betrayal was bad with someone I considered a friend, but your sister, a family member, doing that to you seems so much worse.

Paige: No need to apologize. It’s nice to know that someone else is going through the same thing I am. I love my family and friends, but they don’t get it.

I have an amazing support network around me—they have been brilliant—but they also never liked Michael, so their level of disdain for him is at an all-time high. I can’t vent to them that I miss him, that I miss how we were building a future together, that the dreams we once had will never come true, not together anyway. I miss being in a relationship. They are all single and happy being single, so to them, being a twosome isn’t something any of them are into. I’m now going to have to navigate this new world alone. Add in the insane pressure of now being a countess, as well as getting my head around the fact that I have financial freedom—immense freedom—it’s daunting, especially by myself. What does my life look like now? Is it in New York? Do I have to spend more time in Europe? And if I do, then I’m leaving all my family and friends and embarking on a new life on the other side of the world, alone. It’s a lot to think about, what I want out of my new life. Yes, it’s exciting, but I’m fearful of the unknown. Will anyone ever want me again? The thought of starting over on the single scene is terrifying, especially listening to the stories Callie and Savannah share with me.

My phone buzzes.

Giorgio: You can message me anytime.

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