The hair on the back of Julia’s neck rose. I never mention that while I pitch. “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was again?”
“I didn’t,” the woman said, flashing another smile that did little to calm Julia’s nerves. “Who I am is irrelevant.” She took out an envelope and tossed it onto Julia’s lap. “What matters is that I am willing to pay you to go home to your family.”
Julia opened the thick envelope and looked back at the woman in confusion.
“It’s one hundred thousand dollars. You’ll receive another hundred thousand once you’ve left New York and are back in Rhode Island.”
Julia’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t understand.”
“That is how much you need, isn’t it?”
Shaking her head, Julia asked, “Yes, but I’m confused. Do you want me to work on my jewelry back in Rhode Island?”
“Keep your trinkets, dear. Just get the hell out of New York.”
Julia’s hand closed tightly on the envelope as she studied the woman’s features, and an awful realization came to her. “Are you Gio’s mother?”
“The resemblance is strong, no?”
Only in the worst possible way. You both assume I can be bought. “Why would you want me to leave New York?” Understanding hit her like a sledgehammer to the stomach. She held up the money, outraged heat spreading up her neck. “Are you upset that I’m living with him?”
“George isn’t serious about you. You’re the flavor of the month. Take the money. It’ll last a lot longer than whatever you think you have with him. All I ask is that you leave before the weekend.”
Julia couldn’t remember ever being so insulted. “I’m not going anywhere. Well, I am going somewhere. I mean, we are. We’re going to a wedding. Not ours.”
“Perhaps you think I’m kidding? I couldn’t be more serious.” An ugly expression darkened the woman’s face. “How much does your father’s company mean to you? You can save it, and no one ever needs to know how you did it. Tell me, are a few romps with my son worth watching your family lose everything?”
Her words sent a chill down Julia’s back. She laid the envelope down on the seat beside her and reached for the door handle. “It’s not like that. And my father’s company is going to be fine. I still have time to make a sale.”
“If you’re counting on my son to give you money, he won’t. A week from now he won’t even remember you.”
Julia hastily climbed out of the limo. That’s quite a family you have there, Gio.
Holy shit.
Instead of taking the bus down to the Diamond District, Julia called and rescheduled her appointment. She knew she couldn’t tell Gio what had happened, but she needed to see him.
*
Tom glared at her when she entered the building. She walked over to the security station.
She looked at the stranger sitting next to him and asked, “Where’s Paul?” Guilt struck Julia when she realized that she’d been so swept away by Gio that she hadn’t called Paul to check on him. I’ve always believed that the right match made you a better version of yourself. I’m so absorbed in what’s going on with Gio, I didn’t think about Paul. What does that mean? Is Gio the wrong man for me, or would I be an ass regardless of who I’m with?
Tom put the clipboard down decisively. “Where do you think he is? Your boyfriend fired him.”
Julia frowned. “No.”
Tom glared at her again. “I knew you’d be trouble from the first time I saw you. You couldn’t just do your job, could you?”
Julia wished the floor would open and swallow her up. She felt horrible that she’d played a role in separating them. She’d spent enough time with both of them to know that loss was the source of Tom’s anger. He would miss working with his best friend. “I’ll talk to Gio . . . Mr. Andrade. I’ll fix this.”
“You’ve done enough. Paul’s still looking for a job. He doesn’t interview well.”
Despite Tom’s angry tone, Julia leaned closer. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. You know that.”
Her words softened Tom’s expression slightly. “I told Paul to check on you. I guess it’s partially my fault.”
“There has to be something I can do.”
Gio was a reasonable man. Was it too late to ask Gio to hire Paul back?
Rena was at her desk when Julia entered Gio’s outer office. “Is he in?” Julia asked tentatively.
Rena stepped out from behind her desk. “He is. How are you?”
“Good,” Julia said, straightening her shoulders in determination. “Could you tell him that I’m here?”
Instead of reaching for her phone, Rena looked her over. “Are you still going to the wedding with him?”
“Yes, is that a problem?” Julia asked cautiously. Seriously? And they say people in small towns can’t mind their own business? This is ridiculous.
Rena’s eyebrows rose in reaction to Julia’s tone. “I was wondering if you felt ready.”
“Ready?”
“Have you looked over the invitation list? You should wear your own jewelry when you go. Who knows, you may find an investor. If you’d like, I could help you recognize who’s who.”
It was hard not to be suspicious of the kind offer. Julia wasn’t about to be fooled twice in one day. “Why would you do that?”
“I like you?” When Julia looked unconvinced, Rena added, “How about, because I have the feeling that if our roles were reversed you would help me?”
Julia let her suspicions fall away. Rena had never given her a reason not to trust her. And it wouldn’t hurt to go into the situation as prepared as possible. I used to think I liked surprises. I’m not finding that as true in this situation. “I have to ask Gio something, but then, yes, I’d like to talk to you about what to expect tomorrow.”
“Great. If you don’t have your dress yet, I know the perfect place to look for one.”
A dress? Of course I need a dress. Shit. “Thank you for the offer, but I can wear the one I just bought.”
“No, that one has been in the papers. You need something new.” Rena went back to her desk, sat down, and picked up her phone. “Julia is here to see you. Yes, I’ll send her right in, but before I do . . . one quick question. Do you mind if I take her dress shopping tonight and charge it to you? That’s what I thought.” She hung up and smiled at Julia. “All set. He told me to have you back early.” Rena winked at Julia. “I personally think you should make him cool his heels waiting for you. He’s far too used to getting what he wants.”
“I don’t need another dress. I don’t want him to buy me anything,” Julia said adamantly.
Rena stood and crossed to stand near her. “Whoa. I’m sorry. I just assumed . . .”
“That I’m with him for what I can get from him?”
Rena raised her hands in truce. “No, that you’d want something new for a high-profile wedding, and that since he invited you I figured he should buy it for you.”
“Well, I don’t, and he shouldn’t.”
“Hey,” Rena said gently, “my family drags me to so many social events I have a closet full of dresses I’ll never wear again. You could borrow a couple.”
Releasing her breath slowly, Julia searched Rena’s face. “If you’re sure.”
A wide smile spread across Rena’s face. “We’ll make a girls’ night of it.”