When did they change from being strangers to pleasant acquaintances to trusted friends? She didn’t know, but she knew without a doubt that it was true. She trusted him.
“Good.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I trust you too.”
His response warmed a spot in her chest, but she refused to dwell on it. “Good. Now that we’ve established that, tell me where we’re going.”
“I can’t.”
She sighed. “Why not?”
“Because it’d ruin the surprise.”
“What surprise? It’s not my birthday.” And then a thought came to her. “Is it your birthday?”
“No. And that’s all I’m telling you.”
She huffed and crossed her arms. She wanted to be mad at him but she couldn’t. He was too sweet and thoughtful. He’d been spending every free moment to help her track down her father. He’d used his technology to help her hotel. And in turn, he’d given her a way to help pay him back by letting her help fix up his uncle’s estate.
Her experience with remodeling her parents’ villa and changing it into a boutique hotel had definitely come in handy. She’d learned so much the first time around, and she was learning more through this process. She was starting to wonder if the hotel business was really what she wanted to do with her life. She liked working with her hands, getting dirty and designing beautiful homes.
“Hey,” Ric said, “you didn’t have to go all quiet on me.”
“Sorry. I was just thinking about your uncle’s, or rather your, villa. It’s come a long way. You should be able to put it on the market soon.”
“The more you work on it, the harder it’s going to be for me to part with it.”
“Really?” She narrowed her gaze on him. “Or are you just saying that to make me feel good?”
He cast her a quick glance. “Would I do that?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Yes, you would. You might fool other people with that occasional growl of yours, but not me. I’ve seen your soft side.”
He laughed. “You have, huh?”
“I have. You’re a softy.”
He nodded. “I wonder if my assistant would agree with you.”
“She would.”
“You sound confident. Have you been discussing me with Marta?”
“Perhaps.” She hadn’t, but she’d let him wonder about that one.
“We’re here.”
She glanced around at the marina. This wasn’t just any marina. The boats docked here weren’t “just a boat.” These beauties were big and expensive yachts. She’d never seen so many in the same spot.
She was confused. “What are we doing here?”
“Having dinner.”
“Dinner? Here?”
He got out of the car without an answer, not that she was expecting one. She was still sitting there taking in the impressive view when her car door swung open. And there stood Ric in his black tux with a black tie and white shirt.
He held his hand out to Gia and helped her to her feet. As she placed her hand in his, his fingers wrapped around hers, sending a wave of energy up her arm. It set her heart pounding.
She told herself to calm down. This was probably another business dinner. No big deal. She would do her best to help him sell his technology. It was the least she could do after all he’d done to help her find her father.