“Are you staying at Nicco’s estate?”
“He offered, but I turned him down. He’s a newlywed, and I don’t want to intrude.”
“Are you traveling alone?”
Pretending he didn’t hear the question, Emilio stalked into his ten-car garage and flipped the lights on. He unlocked the doors of his Escalade and tossed his suitcase into the trunk. His SUV was gleaming, buffed to a shine, and remembering the last time he’d had Sharleen in his car made a devilish grin fill his lips.
Images of Tuesday night teased his mind. Stealing kisses during dinner, walking hand in hand through Centennial Olympic Park, making out like teenagers in the backseat of his SUV. They’d spent hours talking about their trip to Miami, their hopes and dreams for the future, and when they kissed good-night, he’d felt closer to her than ever before.
“Ginger said she spotted you and that life-coach girl downtown a couple days ago,” Francesca said coolly, her tone filled with accusation. “She said you guys looked like a couple.”
That’s because we are. And Sharleen’s not a girl; she’s a vibrant, passionate woman who means the world to me.
“I have a flight to catch. We’ll talk when I get back.”
“Can I get a small loan?” Francesca touched his arm and gazed up at him adoringly, as if her heart was bursting with love. “I promise to pay you back as soon as I get my first paycheck.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You got a job? Where?”
“At Elite Management. Antwan’s assistant quit last week, so he asked me to fill in for the rest of the month. Answering phones and fetching coffee isn’t really my thing, but I love meeting his celebrity clients, especially the sexy athletes worth millions!”
Emilio chuckled and shook his head at his sister.
“All I need is five thousand dollars. I’m throwing a birthday party for Ginger, and I need to give the caterer the deposit in the morning.”
“Francesca, we discussed this.”
“We did?” she asked. “I don’t remember.”
“If you decide to go to college, or enroll in beauty school, I’ll pay your tuition, but I won’t fund your extravagant lifestyle anymore.” Emilio paused and took a moment to regroup so he didn’t lose his temper. Over the years, he’d spoken to his sister several times about her outrageous spending, but it wasn’t until a recent coaching session with Sharleen that he’d had a lightbulb moment. If he didn’t stop indulging Francesca, she’d never grow up. He felt responsible for Lucca’s death, and buying her expensive gifts used to make him feel better, but not anymore. Those days were behind him. He was sick of being a human ATM machine and had to put his foot down.
“Francesca, enough is enough. You can’t keep living like this. You’ll be twenty-six in a few months, but you’re still acting like a teenager.”
“All I’ve ever wanted was to be a mom, but now that Lucca’s gone...” Her voice broke, cracked with emotion. “He was my world, and life seems meaningless without him.”
I used to feel that way, too, but then I met Sharleen, and my life changed for the better.
At the thought of her, he felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. Introducing her to his pit crew last Friday had been a huge step for him, but she’d easily won them over with her easygoing nature and infectious laugh. Until meeting her, he’d never considered getting married or having children, but these days it was all he could think about. But before he could pop the question, and move Sharleen into his estate, he had to win her heart.
“Sometimes I think about moving back to Italy,” Francesca continued, “but I think I’d miss living in the States too much. I honestly don’t know what I want. I’m so confused...”
Emilio kissed her on the forehead and rubbed her shoulders. “I’m going to arrange for you to have a private coaching session with Sharleen here at the house. She’s the best in the business, and I’m confident she can help you discover your purpose in life.”
“And I think she’s after your money.”
Oh, brother, not this again.
“That life-coach girl told you to cut me off financially, didn’t she?”
“Sharleen had nothing to do with my decision. I love you, and I’m here to support you—”
“You have a funny way of showing it.” Francesca poked out her bottom lip. “Why are you being unreasonable? It’s just five thousand dollars. That’s chump change to you.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Whatever. Forget I asked.”
Emilio felt his heart soften and his resolve crumble. He put his hand in his back pocket to retrieve his wallet. He’d give Francesca the money, but insist she pay him back.