We sit quietly for a bit, her hand in mine, and my mind starts to spin—wandering as I waver on a thought that could tip the scales either way.
“You’re fired,” I say to her, my voice getting lodged in my throat as I utter the words.
Her head snaps to me. “Wh—what?”
Lifting my chin, I meet her gaze. “You’re fired, Lia. I want you to live your life, find your love story, and create your family. You’ve been by my side for so long, you’ve forgotten to take care ofyou. And I can’t let you keep doing it. I love you too much to allow you to be stuck here with me when you need to be living foryou.”
“But you can’t fire me. I have nowhere to go—no other job lined up.” She panics, her eyes welling up with tears.
“Shh, shh,” I console. “You’re not going anywhere. This is your home, and I wouldn’t dream of asking you to leave. You don’t need another job. I’ll give you three years salary up front as a severance, that way you have time to plan for your future without the rush or stress.But Lia—I’ve been holding you back. You can’t tell me you disagree.”
Her mouth presses together in a thin line.
“That’s what I thought,” I quip. “I’ve had you on my staff for as long as I can remember, and now it’s time for you to just be myfriend.”
Cecilia swallows thickly, and wipes a wayward tear from her cheek. “I can’t accept a three year salary severance. That’s insane.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s not. Not after everything you’ve done for me over the years. I want you to take the time to focus on yourself and whatever it takes to give me a niece or nephew. Okay? The apartment could use the pitter-patter of tiny feet running around.”
This makes her smile. “I don’t deserve you.”
“I think it’s me who doesn’t deserve you, yet you’ve stayed by my side.” Standing, I give her shoulder a squeeze. “Now it’s my turn to stand by yours.”
I go back to the vanity to finish getting ready, picking up the diamond studs sitting in my jewelry tray and putting them on.
“Are you going to tell me what you’re getting ready for or are you going to keep me in the dark? Idofollow your location on your phone, you know. I can just look for myself whenever you get there.”
“I have a date tonight,” I tell her, biting back my smile. “Sly’s taking me to dinner.”
Her eyes widen. “In public? Vinnie.”
“He says he’s taken care of it,” I say with a shrug. “I’m not sure what the plan is, but I’m meeting him atDi Mercutio in—” I look down at my diamond Rolex. “Shoot, in twenty minutes. I need to go. Can you call Ross and tell him… Nevermind, not your job! I’ll call him myself.”
Cecilia rolls her eyes, pulling her phone from her back pocket. “Just because you fired me doesn’t mean I don’t still love you. Finish getting ready, I’ll call Ross and tell him to bring the car around.”
“Thank you,” I sigh,but she’s waving me off, already talking to Ross.
“Miss Paladino will be ready to go in five minutes, Ross. Please have the car ready. Yes. Yes, she’ll need transport to Di Mercutio. Yes, I know you know, I’m just reminding yo—oh shush, just get your ass to the car so you can drive her. Kay, thanks!”
I start laughing as soon as she hangs up the phone. “What was that about?”
“You know him. He started going off on a tangent about how he knows where you want to go and all that.”
“He’s not wrong.” Picking up my hunter green peacoat, I go to my full-length mirror.
Di Mercutio isn’t an overly fancy restaurant, but the feminine urge to get dolled up for Sly was too strong to ignore, so this morning I decided to go buy a new outfit.
After a quick excursion to Bergdorf’s, I found the perfect black long sleeve mini dress made from a soft cashmere that hugged each of my curves gently. Paired with black nylons, high-heeled boots, and my huntergreen peacoat, I felt like the perfect combination of beautiful and sexy.
“You look amazing,” Cecilia compliments as I pull my hair from beneath the collar of my coat. I left it in soft waves down my back, which is my go-to hairstyle. Just then, her phone pings and she looks down at the message that flashes across her screen. She smiles, handing me my clutch. “Car’s ready. Go get your man.”
Di Mercutio is packed when Ross pulls in front of it, idling alongside the curb. I’ve never seen it so busy—through the window, every table looks full.
A rush of nerves spikes through me, settling like a rock in the depths of my stomach. I hate that the article about me and August has made me paranoid to leave my house—scared I’ll be seen by paparazzi and questioned as to his whereabouts or my so-called relationship with him. But most of all, I’m scared of being caught on camera as I sneak around with the man who I can only have in private.
When the hostess stand looks clear of other patrons, I slip out of the car. I told Ross on the drive over that I could handle getting out on my own, wanting to call as little attention as possible to my car and driver, with the intention of getting in the restaurant undetected.
Thankfully, my timing is perfect and my surroundings are empty as I open the door to the restaurant andimmediately turn to face the host stand. The man behind it smiles at me.
