7. Gabrielle

7

GAbrIELLE

I don’t think I’ve ever been so livid in my entire life. But the moment I get into the elevator and the door glides shut, I slump against the wall and let out a sigh of relief. Confronting Enzo Rossi was a hard thing to do. He’s tough and I knew he’d get me wound up—in more ways than one. I hate to admit I’m still attracted to the man but, unfortunately, my nether regions don’t care that he’s trying to screw me. In fact, they want him to screw me. Just in a different way.

Ugh. I hate him. I truly can’t stand the jerk. At the same time, I want to wrap myself around him like an octopus. I’m so confused and don’t have any experience with this kind of thing. How do I turn off my ovaries?

I guess there’s only one person who can help me sort through this mess and that’s my good friend, Lili. Lilith Barnswell is a man-eater, a socialite and has more experience with men in her little pinkie finger than I have over the course of twenty-eight years.

Pulling up her number, I hit send. Sure, she’s a bit of a gossip and, unfortunately, she’s been seeing my useless cousin, Romeo, but if anyone can help me navigate what I’m feeling, it’s definitely her.

“Hi, Gabs! What the heck is going on, stranger?” she says in greeting.

“Hey, Lili! I know, I’m sorry I haven’t called you lately. I’ve been insanely busy with work.”

“What’s new? I swear, if you don’t get out more, you’re going to wake up alone and fifty years old.”

I hesitate and pull my lower lip into my mouth. “Actually, I’m calling because I did meet someone.”

“ What? ” Her voice is so shrill with excitement that I wince. “Omg, I need all the details. Pronto!”

“Can you meet me for a drink at Marie’s?”

“Girlfriend, I can meet you on the moon! I can’t wait to hear the scoop.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m sitting in a quiet corner booth with Lili at the trendy Marie’s. We just placed our drink orders and she begins grilling me instantly. My head spins with all of her questions and I laugh, holding my hand up.

“Whoa, slow down! One question at a time.”

“Who is this unicorn who caught your attention?”

“It’s Enzo Rossi,” I say. I’m not sure if they know each other, but I’m pretty sure she’s crossed paths with him.

“As in Five Families Rossi?”

I nod. “That’s where I first noticed him. In our meetings.

“Holy shit. A mafia prince and princess. It’s like a dark fairytale.”

“I try to stay out of the darkness. You know that.” And, I really do. During our meetings, we talk about our businesses, territories and how we can benefit each other by working together. The Five Families is a modern, civilized group. Or, so I’d like to think. Is there still darkness? Enemies who mysteriously disappear? Yes, but I don’t care for that part of it and certainly refuse to be involved in anything illegal.

“You can try, but you’ll never fully escape it. It’s just a fact.”

“Anyway,” I say, changing the subject back to my pressing problem, “Enzo is going to be the death of me. After our meeting last weekend, I asked him to grab a drink because I wanted some business advice. We hit it off. God, Lili, I don’t think I’ve ever been so attracted to a man before like I am with Enzo.”

“That’s so awesome.”

“No, it’s not!” I exclaim as the waitress returns with our martinis. Picking mine up, I take a long sip, needing the alcohol to soothe my frazzled nerves.

“What do you mean?” she asks, frowning in confusion.

“He fucked me over and now I hate him.”

“He didn’t call after you hooked up?”

“No…yes…I mean…” I shake my head then lean closer, elbows resting against the table, hands clasped around my glass and lower my voice. “First of all, yes, we hooked up.”

“And?” She waggles her perfectly-plucked eyebrows.

“He blew my mind. In every possible way,” I admit.

“Nice. So what’s the problem?”

“The problem is I trusted him and confided in him about a company I want to buy. He went behind my back, schmoozed the owner and put himself in the running. He completely, and purposely, fucked my deal up.”

“Doesn’t a company usually have multiple people interested in buying it?” she asks innocently, plucking the lemon slice out of her drink and sucking on it.

I frown, wincing because I know how sour that must taste. But Lili loves it. “Sometimes, but that’s not the point.”

“Uh-huh.” She sets the rind aside, lifts her drink and takes a sip, eyeing me over the rim.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, tilting my head. She better be on my side or I’m going to be pissed.

“Well, it sounds to me like you didn’t want any competition. That you wanted to play by your rules. But Enzo swooped in and changed all that, challenging you to adjust your plan in order to win this company. Is it a setback? Sure. But a minor one. You’re a brilliant businesswoman, Gabs. Just view this as another challenge to overcome and think about how sweet it will be when you beat out one of the biggest sharks in New York City.”

Hmm. I suppose she does have a point. Winning Holloway Corp. and beating Enzo fair and square—because I had a better presentation—would feel absolutely amazing.

“I know you can do it,” she continues. “But, if you do, would things be over between you two?”

“They already are over,” I say with a huff. “It was only a one-night stand, Lili. Nothing more.”

“Really?”

She’s studying me intently. “What?” I demand.

“Well, if it was just one night then why do you seem so upset that he went behind your back? One night of sex doesn’t mean he owes you any loyalty, right? You’re the one who confided in him. I mean, it’s not like you had him sign a non-disclosure agreement.”

“Oh, my God, you sound just like him!” I’m not sure whether that means she and Enzo are right and I’m wrong. Or, if my friend is taking his side instead of mine. Either way, I’m getting annoyed.

“Speaking from experience—lots and lots of it—a one-night stand doesn’t mean anything. That’s why it’s only one night of your life. You had an itch, he scratched it. End of story. No one owes anyone anything. That’s the beauty of it.”

Dammit, I know she’s right, but I refuse to admit it.

When I don’t comment, Lili continues, “I think the problem is you want more than just one night.”

“No! That’s not true!”

She arches a brow. “No need to get so defensive.”

“I’m not,” I say stubbornly.

“I’m just going off of what you said. And you told me, and I quote, ‘I’ve never been so attracted to a man.’ Right?”

I release a long sigh, not willing to admit the truth to her. But, maybe I need to admit it to myself. I have been a little lonely lately. Enzo caught my interest, gave me multiple orgasms and now I can’t stop thinking about him. It’s like that one mind-blowing night has imprinted itself on my mind.

“I think he was mad that I snuck out in the morning,” I say quietly.

“Most men can’t kick a girl out fast enough once they get what they want. So that speaks volumes. Why do you think that he was mad? Did he say something?”

“He asked why I ran out without saying goodbye or leaving a note.”

“Really?” She draws the word out, eyes twinkling. “How interesting.”

“What’s interesting?” I ask.

“That’s just not consistent behavior with a man who only wants sex. That sounds like a man who wants to see you again.”

I snort. “I saw him again and almost punched him in the face.”

“Ooh, you guys sound fiery. Tell me about the sex. It must’ve been super hot to have you this worked up.”

I roll my eyes, trying to act nonchalant, but I can feel my cheeks grow warm.

“It was…” I swallow hard and decide to be honest. “The best I’ve ever had.”

“Yes!” She exclaims, pumping a fist into the air. “I knew it! You needed a good bonking and I love that he blew your mind.”

“Well, I’m not exactly thrilled about it. I mean, I was that night, but now? Not so much.”

“This might be able to work,” she murmurs thoughtfully, but I shake my head.

“No, impossible. One of us is going to win Holloway Corp. and the other is going to lose. There’s no way one of us won’t end up bitter about it.”

“Well, if he can get over his pride when you win, it should be fine. He’ll need a good night of loving after losing to you, though.” She throws her head back and laughs.

“This is Enzo Rossi we’re talking about. He’s not used to losing.”

“Have you thought about backing out?”

“Absolutely not! There’s no way in hell I’d back out of a deal I’ve been working on for months.”

“Okay, that’s fair.” She finishes her drink and gives me a sad look. “Well, sounds like you’re both determined and, like you said, there can only be one winner. I don’t know, Gabs, if neither of you can set your ego aside, I don’t see how you could possibly have a future together.”

“I don’t want a future with him,” I say stubbornly. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a white lie. Oh, hell, I don’t know. I’m so confused and this conversation hasn’t helped me at all. I needed some clarification and I got nothing. Thanks a lot, Lili.

“If you say so.”

She doesn’t believe me and, to be honest, I’m not sure I believe myself either. God, this sucks. “I finally meet a man who captures my attention…and it has to be Enzo-freaking-Rossi.” I groan and drop my face into my hands.

“Just take it slowly and see what happens. Who knows?”

“That’s not very good advice,” I lament, peering at her from between my fingers.

“I’m sorry, Gabs. But, under the circumstances, it’s the best I can do.”

With a groan, I lower my hands. I’m not in the mood for another drink, so after saying goodbye and promising to keep her updated, I drive home. My apartment usually feels cozy, but right now it feels sad, quiet and lonely. My mind is all over the place and, for the first time since I can remember, I don’t feel like working. So, instead, I strip out of my suit, pull on a pair of comfy pajamas and fall onto the couch. I’m not in the mood to be productive, so I find a show I’ve heard good things about and mindlessly start to binge it on a streaming service.

Three and a half episodes later, I’m only half watching when my phone rings and I see it’s Doug Holloway. Popping up, I grab my phone, clear my throat and answer, “Mr. Holloway, how are you?”

“You know better—call me Doug, Gabriella.”

“Hi, Doug,” I amend, curling my legs up beneath me. He must’ve made a decision and my pulse is pounding in my throat. The anticipation is killing me.

“I’d like to meet with you in the morning. Does that work with your schedule?”

“That works fine.”

“Great. Let’s say nine o’clock.”

“Okay, I’ll see you then.”

And that’s it. I hang up and frown. It must be good news if he wants to meet me in person, right? If he chose Enzo then he certainly wouldn’t invite me down to his office. But, if he chose me then we would have papers to sign and a lot to go over.

I wonder why he didn’t make it official, though, and just tell me now? Unless he’s still deciding? No, he must’ve chosen me. Poor Enzo. He’s about to get a firsthand lesson in what it feels like to lose.

To lose to me.

A part of me wants to dance around the room then call him up and say something smug. The other part of me wants to wrap him up in my arms, kiss his forehead and tell him everything will be alright.

Tomorrow will definitely be interesting.