"Sure, I saw him last night. He came over and watched the basketball game," Bella said.
"Hmm," Charlotte said again. "There's something you're not telling me. Something's not right."
"Everything is fine," Bella insisted. "Everything is great. My wonderful aunt is thriving and even dating. The spa is doing great. I couldn't be more pleased."
"And maybe if you keep saying it, you'll believe it yourself," Charlotte said and took Bella's hand. "I'm worried about you. You've sacrificed your professional plans for me."
"What plans?" Bella asked. "Besides, I got to pursue my dreams last year. It's your turn now."
Charlotte's brow furrowed. "I don't want you to be unhappy. Are you still hung up on Stephen?"
Bella tried, but for a flash of a second, she couldn't conceal her feelings. "Stephen has moved on. You know that."
"And you need to do the same," Charlotte urged. "Don't you like Michael?"
Like, Bella thought. As if such a tame emotion could ever apply to the man.
"He's done so much for us," Charlotte continued. "And he's so handsome. Doesn't he treat you well?"
"Of course he does," Bella said. "Michael is just a different kind of man than Stephen."
"Darn right he is," Charlotte said. "He's a leader, not a follower. And if you want him, you're going to have to give him a run for his money."
Bella blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I mean Michael Medici is worth exerting yourself, and I'm not talking about his money. You never had to exert yourself with Stephen. He was always there for you."
"Until I went away," Bella said, feeling a twinge.
"That's just your ego talking," Charlotte said.
Bella dropped her jaw in surprise. "That's not true. Stephen and I were very much in love."
Charlotte waved her hand, dismissing Bella's protest. "You need a man, not a boy. Who knows when Stephen will grow up and stand on his own? Michael Medici is your match. You just need to make sure he knows that."
A knock sounded and Charlotte looked at the door, a smile transforming her face. "Oh, that's Fred. He's taking me to a traveling production of Wicked." She walked toward the door. "You need to get out of here and have some fun. You're starting to act like an old lady." She threw Bella a kiss. "Good night, Sweetie."
Go after Michael? Bella shook her head. She wouldn't even know how to begin. Besides, she didn't want him. Not that way. Right? She certainly cared about him as a human being, and she was grateful for his help with her aunt's business. Her cheeks heated as she remembered their lovemaking. Yes, he was passionate, but he was also emotionally remote. That would never work for her. Bella wanted a man who wore his heart on his sleeve. That was not Michael.
Her cell phone rang and she glanced at the caller ID. Despite herself, her heart leapt. Irritated, she answered the phone. "Hi, Michael."
"I got tickets for a Hawks game tomorrow night. Wanna go?" he asked.
She wondered why he was asking. All the other times she'd been with him her presence had been required.
"If you don't, then-"
"No," she said. "I mean yes, I'd love to."
"Good, I'll pick you up at six. We can eat dinner first."
Click. She stared at her phone and chuckled to herself. Yeah, now that's a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Not. So why was she already planning what to wear?
Ten
T he limo whisked Bella and Michael to the restaurant and he led her inside. She noticed that he barely mentioned his name before the host escorted them to a table with a view of the lighted fountain in the center of the restaurant. Seconds later, a waiter appeared and took their wine order.
"I've heard about this place. It's beautiful.""A bit theatrical," he said. "Not bad, though. I've been trying to hire the chef away for years."
"And the mighty Michael Medici has been unsuccessful?" she teased.
He shot her a mock dark glare. "The chef is married to the owner's daughter."
She laughed. "I guess that could make it a bit more challenging. I'm surprised you didn't just buy the restaurant out from under the owner."
"I tried," Michael admitted. "Anthony is a true restauranteur. He'll be doing this forever."
"And you admire him?"
"Yeah. He came up the hard way. Not the same way I did. But he had it tough."
The waiter appeared and took their food order. Midway through their meal, a portly middle-aged gentleman approached their table. "You are enjoying your dinner?" the man asked.
Michael rose. "Delicious, Anthony. I know where to take someone I want to impress."
Anthony laughed and clasped Michael's hand with both of his. "You are too kind. No matter what you say, I will not sell."
Michael sighed. "I had to try. The lady here is quite impressed. Bella St. Clair, may I present Anthony Garfield."
Anthony turned to her and extended his hand. "Bella, Bella. I can see why you would want to bring her to my restaurant. Such a woman doesn't deserve second best."
"You're too kind," Bella said. "Your restaurant is fabulous."
Michael cocked his head to one side. "You're not referring to my restaurants, are you Anthony?" Michael said, sending Bella a knowing glance.
Anthony shrugged and his eyes twinkled with competitive humor. "I would never say that. I've sent several of my customers to you."
"When you were already booked," Michael said.
"As you have done to me," Anthony said. "You're a master competitor, but you need to be kept on your toes."
"And you're just the man to do it. A great dining experience."
"Thank you. High praise from such a man." He turned to Bella. "You keep him in line, okay?"
Me? Bella opened her mouth. "I'm not sure it's possible to keep Michael in line."
Anthony gave a quick nod. "Every man has his Waterloo. Good evening to both of you."
Michael sat down. "We trade top restaurant pick every other year. As much as I hate getting second place to anyone, I don't mind as much to him."
"He seems to respect you, too," she said. "I'm surprised you didn't take me to one of your restaurants."
"Didn't you hear me say that I know where to take someone I want to impress?" he asked.
She met his gaze, feeling lightning race through her. He couldn't possibly want to impress her. She wasn't that important to him. And if she were … Why did the air seem to squeeze out of her lungs?
They left the restaurant and the limo drove them to Phillips Arena. Michael led her to a private box with an unbeatable view of the court.
She looked at him. "I guess I shouldn't ask how you managed this."
"I have standing box seats. I often give them away to VIP clients," he said.
"I don't know what to say."
"How about go Hawks?" he said and she felt another ripple race through her.
Throughout the game, she was super-conscious of every time he touched her. First her shoulder, then her hand. His thigh rubbed against hers, distracting her from the game. Once, he slid his hand behind the nape of her neck, and she could have sworn she felt sparkles down her back.
The game ended far too early, and before she knew it they were in the limo again.
"Do you want a nightcap, or are you ready to go back to your apartment?" he asked.
Frustration twisted through her. He had confused the living daylights out of her. A heavy sigh poured from her.
"Problem?" he asked.
She bit her lip, wondering if she should say anything. Wondering if she could. "Do you not want me anymore?" she blurted out.
He held her gaze for a long moment that made her stomach knot. He took her hand and slid his fingers sensually through hers. "Not want you? What makes you say that?"
In for a penny. In for a pound. "Because we haven't been together in days. And you were ready to leave me at my apartment tonight."
He paused again. "I want you willing. I want you wanting me. Or not at all."
Whoa. Bella's mind reeled with his words. He wasn't going to require her to be with him? What about their deal? What about her debt to him?
She stared into his dark eyes and felt as if her inner core was shifting. This was her chance to turn away and brush her hands of him. She could go back to her apartment and lick her wounds as long as she wanted. She could buy Ben & Jerry's ice cream and eat it every night. By herself.
Or, she could be with the most exciting man she'd ever met in her life. Even though she didn't love him. Suddenly she felt as if she were a runaway train on a track she had to take. At some point, there would be a terrible crash, but for some reason she couldn't miss being with him.
"Are you saying that you would continue to support my aunt's business even if you and I never see each other again?"