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“No, just in general. People are going to keep approaching you. Asking you for things. Asking for a piece of his time.” He sighs. “Honestly, Char, I hope it works out between the two of you. I really do. You know I think Enzo is a great guy . . .”
Just like Mom. Just like Lusanne. But again, there’s a bigbutin there somewhere.
“But?” I prod.
“But it’s not like dating the head coach of Bridgewater High.”
I give my brother the death glare. The last thing I want is to be reminded of my last failed relationship.
“I mean, there’s a picture of you floating around in a newspaper.”
I finish with my salad, putting my fork down and eyeing up Devon’s chick parm.
“Trust me, I know,” I say. Which is only partially true. I’ve thought about the press, sure, but not about the possibility that people might try to use me to get to Enzo. Still, I’m not sure why Devon’s rolling out his big brother speech now.
“And he lives in New York.”
I roll my eyes. “No shit, Sherlock.”
He’s managed to maintain a friendship with Enzo after all these years. Is it so unrealistic to think I can do the same?
Although it’s not really the same thing, and I know it.
I don’t dare say it to Devon, but I am in love with his best friend. All the way. He’s just as good-looking and caring as the boy I loved when I was younger, but a new confidence has been added to the mix that’s downright devastating. And the occasional glimpses through it, to the bits of vulnerability that still exist in him? Even more so.
Not to mention, he likes me. Really, really likes me, if last weekend was any indication.
Sorry, Dev, it’s too late for caution. The love train has already left the station—it’s currently barreling down a hill without brakes.
Like it or not, I’m in deep. With luck, we won’t need those brakes and the train will slow down on its own, taking a more leisurely path to its destination. Because the alternative is a fiery crash that will no doubt consume us both.
30
Enzo
“The reports from Europe are in your inbox, sir. And I’ve moved your two o’clock meeting to one, as you asked. I’ll have your car here at two fifteen.”
I look up for long enough to thank my assistant, but I’m buried in emails again before she even closes the door behind me. I don’t look up until Hayden, now standing behind my desk, clears his throat.
“Jesus. You scared the shit out of me.”
He drops a package in front of me.
“Grab two waters.”
I look at the wrapping from our favorite deli and shake my head. “I can’t stop for lunch. I have a meeting at one, and I’m heading to the lab this afternoon.”
Hayden doesn’t move.
“The fact that you didn’t even notice I’d entered your office is exactly the reason you need to stop for five minutes.”
I look longingly at my computer screen.
“Enz.” Hayden nods to the refrigerator behind me. Reluctantly, I stand up. No matter how many times I tell myself to do this more often, inevitably I end up hunched over my desk for too long. Stretching, I reach down, get two waters, and hand one to Hayden.
Opening the package, I groan at the smell of tuna salad, suddenly starving. I reluctantly smile at him. “You know me,” I say.
“Too well.”
