“There’s nothing wrong with my flats,” I respond airily, brushing him off. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. My walk is ruined, so if you’ll excuse me.” Turning back to the street, I look for any sign of a cab, but of course, there’s not a yellow car in sight.
From behind, I hear Sly blow out an exasperated breath. “I can give you a shirt. I only live two blocks from here. You can change, then take your walk.”
Over my shoulder, I eye him suspiciously. Borrow a shirt? Follow him to hishome? The thought is absurd.
But the twenty-four-ounce latte soaked into the fabric of my shirt has now grown cold, and with every press of it against my skin, a smattering of goosebumps lines my arms and torso.
“What’s the catch?” I ask, knowing there’s no way he’s offering out of the kindness of his heart. For the Paladinos, there is no kindness from the Luchettis.
Shoving his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, he shakes his head, looking almost as defeated as I feel. “No catch. I understand the need for a long walk after an even longer week.”
He leaves then, not bothering to see if I’m following. I’m torn in two—not wanting, but alsowantingto follow. I don’thaveto. I can easily hail a cab and go to my office, but the curious side of me wants to see this through.
Staying ten steps behind, I let him lead the way back to his apartment, purposely never getting closer.
Every crosswalk is green as we approach, and the walk is quick. I’m a little surprised when he veers toward a gorgeous building, walking through the open door past a smiling doorman. He tips his hat at me as I walk in after Sly.
Sly holds the elevator door open, waiting for me, but I’m slow to reach him, taking my time to look around at the lobby of his building. It’s beautiful—recently remodeled, I’d assume by looking at its modern fixtures.
Honestly, though, I’m stalling, too. Doubting whether I made the right choice by following him hereand taking him up on his offer of giving me a shirt to wear. My heart’s racing with every step closer to that elevator, knowing that once the doors close, we’re no longer in a public setting. At least in public, there’s no room for error. Any misstep from either side could be a tabloid feeding frenzy—it’s already surprising that the local paparazzi haven’t caught us in any of our run-ins. But in public, we’re forced to hold it together, keep our voices down.
There’s no telling what may happen once we’re alone.
His expression is solemn as I step into the elevator next to him, as though he’s walking to his execution. And maybe, in his mind, he is. Interaction with a Paladino, withme, could be as detrimental to his family's opinion of him as it would be to mine.
And maybe that’s why, as the elevator doors close, shutting us out from the rest of the world, I find it hard to swallow the bittersweet emotion that’s lodged in my throat.
Chapter 13
Sly
The moment she stepped into the elevator, I knew I made a mistake.
Offering a replacement shirt to Vinnie—allowing her to follow me to my home…
By far the most idiotic thing I’ve done in recent years.
But the frustration in her eyes after her coffee spilled down the front of her—thedefeat, and hearing about how she had planned on a walk to clear her head.
I’ve battled those demons. I know the need to be amongst the fresh air simply to let your thoughts fade away.
So I did two things I never thought I’d ever do. The first: Iapologizedto aPaladino. And the second: I extended a semblance of goodwill their family doesn’t deserve.
“It has nothingto do with me.”
Her words still haunt me. There’s some truth to them, but it doesn’t rewrite the past.
I’m stiff as a board the entire elevator ride to my floor, and I practically run out the moment the doors open.
Leading the way to my apartment, I slide the metal casing of the keypad and step closer, making sure my body hides the code I am entering. A green light illuminates, indicating the door is unlocked.
A gentleman would hold the door and step aside to let the lady enter first. But as I enter my home, I don’t bother holding it for her, nor do I look to see if she’s following.
The gentle sound of the door clicking into place rather than slamming shut tells me she’s behind me, but instead of acknowledging her presence, I move to the coat closet and shrug off my jacket.
I take my time hanging it up, disguising my hammering heart as aloofness.
My body is filled with a sensation that’s become unfamiliar.Nerves. Something I’ve long since experienced.
