Our Secret Summer(17)

Slowly, like melting wax, his eyes slide down me, carefully taking me in from head to toe in my revealing uniform. I feel like a butterfly pinned to a board, helpless in the face of his unwavering attention.

“Blink, babe,” Annika says with a burst of laughter.

I force myself to look away from him and find her wearing a knowing smile.

“And now you’ve seen him. You’re welcome.”

“Who is he?” I sound almost out of breath.

“Our boss.”

Boss.

The word nearly buckles my knees.

“That’s Cristiano?”

The man I should avoid?

“Yes!” She laughs. “Why do you think I’ve gone on and on about the man? It’s for good reason! And I can already tell from the stars in your eyes you’ve been struck by him, too, so join the club. We don’t have T-shirts or anything, but once a month we get incredibly drunk and cry about how hot he is.”

I look up again—I have to—but Cristiano’s already turned away, talking to someone behind him. Then he takes a step and he’s gone.

Good.





Chapter Six


Cristiano


I must be a fucking detective with how quickly I found Isabel De Vere. Standing in my club wearing an Aura uniform, staring up at me with an angelic face… I know a De Vere when I see one. She’s the spitting image of Caterina. Stunning, but I clear that thought from my head now and rub my jaw, staring at the side exit.

For the last twenty minutes, I’ve stood on the sidewalk, leaning against the building. My employees have been trickling out as they finish closing up and clocking out. Surely Isabel will be among them soon. If not, I’ll go in and get her.

When I first realized she was inside Aura, I could have called her into Hugo’s office or set up a formal meeting for tomorrow, in the daylight. Instead, I’m here waiting for her, growing more impatient by the second.

I check my phone and busy myself so I can better ignore the zing of anticipation. I’m antsy, but then maybe I just want to get home to my bed. Or maybe I want a closer look at the girl. I want to confirm it’s her and figure out how she possibly landed a job at my nightclub. All of our seasonal spots were filled weeks ago. We don’t leave things up to chance. Every position has a fallback employee, someone who can fill in or take over at a moment’s notice.

The side door opens and two guys spill out. Their eyes widen when they see me, but my attention is already focused on the three girls walking out behind them. Isabel is tucked in the middle. She’s swapped her Aura uniform for a white cropped T-shirt and jean shorts. Her workbag is slung over her shoulder. Her long jet-black hair is down and straight, and she’s wiped off some of her heavy eye makeup. Deep dimples frame full lips as she talks to her friends.

She hasn’t seen me yet. “Those moms were totally unhinged, but at least they left a huge tip. I actually think I’m going to miss—”

I step away from the wall in time to block their path. The three of them come to an abrupt stop, mouths gaping, eyes blinking. I’ve stunned them; my fault. I don’t get much time to hang out among my staff. I try to visit my clubs and restaurants on a weekly basis, but I leave the hiring and day-to-day grind to my general managers. Seasonal employees come and go, and as long as they’re doing their jobs, I don’t feel the need to insert myself.

Until now, I guess.

I look at Isabel directly, ignoring the other two. “I’d like to speak with you.”

Her expressive green eyes widen with shock, then she glances at her friends like she’s hoping they’ll save her from me.

“Alone,” I add, sounding more brusque than I intended.

Her shoulders slump with disappointment. “Oh, o-okay,” she replies with a frown.

“We’ll wait for you on the corner,” the blond girl promises cheerfully.

“Go ahead.” I’m addressing her friends, but my attention is still on Isabel. “I’ll walk her home.”

Once I’ve said it, I immediately regret it. Whatever I feel the need to say to Isabel can be wrapped up in a matter of minutes. We don’t need privacy and yet I want it anyway.

Isabel fidgets with her bag as her friends part and walk past me, leaving her to fend for herself. She watches them with unabashed longing, not bothering to hide the fact that she wishes she could rush off with them.

My initial annoyance over being kept waiting on the sidewalk worsens at Isabel’s reaction to me. I won’t speak until she focuses those green eyes on me again, but she takes her sweet time doing it, like she’s hoping I’ll lose interest and walk away.

Finally she lifts her chin, all traces of that timid nature safely tucked behind a tough exterior now. “There, you’ve scared everyone off. Now, get on with it. You’re going to fire me, aren’t you?”

My brows rise in shock. I should; I’ve fired employees for less.

Aura’s side door opens and more people emerge. Without hesitating, I take Isabel’s upper arm in hand and tug her toward the building, off to the side so we’re not in everyone’s way. Then I shift us so she’s tucked in my shadow, away from prying eyes. I don’t want anyone thinking she’s getting special treatment. Or more honestly, I don’t want my other employees to overhear this conversation and the bratty way she just spoke to me.