Chapter 466

• I emerge twenty minutes later, the stains replaced with a sheer gloss instead, and make my way to the huge, opulent dining room, sliding in beside him at the table amid the arrival of some of the others. He’s using his phone and completely ignores me. I bristle, knowing this isn’t a normal Jake move, but I’m not going to let it get to me; I’m going to act like I don’t care and sit down. I stop myself from looking at him, despite the impulse to eye up how gorgeous he always looks.
• As soon as everyone is seated, he puts his phone away, leans back on his chair, and places an arm across the back of mine while throwing me a triumphant look. I notice that his father, sitting very still, is watching us from a distance at the head of the huge dark wood table. I had managed to avoid him until now, but dinner will be interesting. I get the distinct impression Giovanni is not all that enamored with his son hooking up with an employee from his own office, especially a nobody with no fortune and a troubled past.
• “You can still back out now, Bambina. Then we can enjoy dinner and a lot of fun after.” Jake nudges me quietly, commanding my attention, his eyes steady on my face. He drops his gaze to my mouth and smirks some more at the lack of red lipstick. It only ignites my inner stubbornness.