Page 51 of Sin and Seduction

“Good to see you, too, sunshine. You’re looking mighty yummy in that dress of yours today,” he says, looking her up and down and making me stand.

“Watch it,” I say in a stern tone as he turns a surprised look to me.

“This must be the famous Mrs. Moreno. Pleasure to officially meet you. Sorry about our first meeting, you know, with the whole gun and everything. Your father was a bastard of a boss,” he says as he sits down at the counter.

I stare him down, and Gabriela stands there, wide-eyed and still, as he looks at her.

“Now tell me, why would this beautiful woman need a wheelchair?” he asks, and she and I exchange glances.

“Rowen, I said to go to my office, not the kitchen,” Dante says in a dark tone as he walks in and plants a kiss on my head before standing in front of Gabriela and whispering in her ear. I move closer to listen.

“Stay calm and don’t say a word about anything. We are negotiating a deal downstairs, and I need my team with me. Stay up here with Emmie,” he says, and she nods.

“Move it, Rowen,” he says, and James stands with his hands raised.

“You got it, captain,” he says before turning and winking at us.

“Thanks for the berries,” he says, and with that, they both leave.

Gabriela lets out an audible sigh and sits down to sip her juice. She stares at her cold pancakes, and I touch her hand.

“Want a fresh batch?” I ask, and she shakes her head.

“I’ve lost my appetite. I need a distraction. Javi, what are you working on?” she asks, and he pours another cup of coffee before sitting back down and typing on his laptop.

“Emmie and I were working on her restaurant plan,” he says, and Gabriela smiles wide.

“Perfect. Have you thought of a name yet?” she asks, and I think for a moment.

“I was thinking of a few different ones, but I’ve had a new one in mind…” I say distantly, thinking of my mother.

“And?” Javi and Gabriela ask.

“Christina’s,” I say quietly, and they both look at me with sad eyes.

“I love it,” Javi says.

“It’s perfect,” Gabriela says, reaching across to touch my hand.

I smile at them both and finish my coffee. I grab our plates and wash them as Javi and Gabriela chat about design options and what recipes he wanted to contribute.

“Oh, Emmie. I forgot, but have you thought about planning your graduation party?” Gabriela asks, and I shrug.

“I’ve been preoccupied and worried about the restaurant, and I haven’t given it much thought. The interior designer is coming today, so I want to deal with that first,” I say, and Gabriela shakes her head.

“Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll help you with all of it,” she says, and I shake my head at her.

“Gabriela, the doctor said—”

“I know exactly what the doctor said, and I will be calling to set my first appointment tomorrow. I can help you plan while I’m sitting down. You can even roll me around in an office chair, but I refuse to lay in bed for a whole three months. I’m already going insane, and I need a distraction. Please, Emmie,” she says with wide eyes, and I stare at her.

I know the distraction she needs is from James and not the pregnancy. I have a feeling we will be seeing him more and more, and I don’t want Gabriela to be flustered with that. I eventually nod, and she claps her hands in happiness.

“Thank you! Thank you so much! Oh, I’m so excited!” she says and I give her a stern look.

“But we call the doctor tomorrow, and you take it easy the entire time. Got it?” I ask, and she nods in agreement as the doorbell rings.

“That’s the designer. Javi, get the rolling chair from the family room,” I say, and he laughs as Gabriela rolls her eyes.

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