His father? I wasn’t in the right headspace to meet his father right now.
“Lovely to meet you.” The very large man smiled approvingly at his much younger wife.
Roberto set his drink down on the table and stepped closer to me. “I’d really like to have a few moments alone with you, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Sure,” Mariano answered for me.
I wanted to protest, but Roberto took me by the elbow and steered me out of the party room. He didn’t say anything as he escorted me outside to the opening in the garden that led to a giant water fountain. I fought not to trip over my feet. I was caught up in a storm inside my head at the very worst of times. The noise inside became consuming, and I tried to silence it, but it took a tremendous amount of effort.
“I can tell my son likes you,” he finally said. Yes, I discovered that tonight, too. “How long have you known one another?”
“Just a few weeks.”
“Has he shared anything with you?”
“Ah,” I tried to pay attention, “such as?”
“Such as what he does for a living?”
I squinted confused. “Well, yes, that’s how we met.”
He smiled like he was happy with my answer.
“I read the article about you inFab Magazine. I understand your past, and I think you would have a place here in our lives.”
“Okay…” I still felt that I was missing half the conversation.
“A beautiful woman, with a difficult past, and no family. I feel that you could perhaps use some love in your life?” He stepped closer, and I felt my walls flinch to shoot up. “If our son likes you, that means we like you, Sienna. Will you join us for dinner tomorrow?”
What if I don’t feel the same way about your son?As the thought ran through my head, given the present company, I thought it might be best to be polite and go along with the invitation.
“I would like that, thank you.” I tried to catch up with all that was coming at me this evening.
“Wonderful.” His smile was as wide as he was. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.”
“Me too.”
“We should get back.” He pressed his freezing hand against my back to direct me ahead of him. I cringed at the contact.
“Do you mind if I take a moment? I’ll meet you inside.”
“Certainly.”
I waited a beat and let the events of the night wash over me for a few minutes. I decided I had better get back to Mariano, but as I hit the bottom of the stairs, I felthimbefore I sawhimand looked up to see Elio with his hands in his pockets watching me from one of the balconies.
Breathe, Sienna. Breathe.