Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Good plan.”
“She thinks she needs to try harder so our age difference isn’t noticeable. She doesn’t believe me when I tell her not only does it not matter at all to me what others think, but she looks younger than I do anyway. She looks younger than you.”
“You certainly married up,” I agreed. “She is much better-looking.”
“Fuck you.”
Then we began to laugh. Amanda was stunning. But she wasn’t high-maintenance. I had no idea how Paolo managed to attract her or keep her, but I was grateful. She had saved him. I would drink her smoothies or eat her god-awful kale salad to make her happy.
Usually.
Today, I wasn’t in the mood.
I crossed my leg over my knee, rubbing the ankle.
“So. The wedding cake.”
Paolo paused. “What about it? I thought it was spectacular. And delicious. I snuck four pieces and even got the kitchen staff to give me a box of cupcakes.”
I hid my smile. I’d eaten seven pieces at the reception, tasting every flavor, and I’d packed up a half dozen pieces in a box and brought it back to my condo. I had eaten them all and craved more.
I also craved information.
“The girl who made it doesn’t work for the venue. I asked.”
He shook his head. “No, she was a friend of Carolina’s from university.”
Elation flooded my chest, along with the realization she might be even younger than I thought.
“Her name,” I demanded.
“Why?”
“I want to hire her company,” I lied smoothly.
“She doesn’t have one—yet anyway. She is working toward that.”
“Her name,” I repeated.
“Brianna.”
Little Bee was Brianna. It suited her.
“Contact information. I need it.”
“I don’t have it.”
“What? How did you pay her?”
“She requested cash. Amanda paid her.”
“Give me her last name and address, then.”
He stroked his chin. “I have no idea. I only met her twice, I think. Amanda maybe a couple more times. I have no recollection of her last name or any idea where she lives. She is Carolina’s friend, and since she is an adult, I don’t know the details of all her friends.”
I pulled out my phone and texted Amanda, who had gone to have lunch with a friend. I sipped my scotch impatiently, waiting for her response. When it came, I snorted in disgust.
“She doesn’t recall either. Paid Brianna cash.”
“Well, you can ask Carolina when she is back from her honeymoon.”
That was in two weeks, which was far too long. “I’ll be back home. I’ll text her now.”
He lifted his eyebrows, shaking his head in reminder. “The resort you sent them to is cell-phone free. It’s getting popular. No devices of any kind are allowed. We have an emergency email at the resort you so generously paid for, but no phones in the cabana or with them. Stops them from working on their honeymoon.”
Inside, I raged, but I was good at keeping my emotions under wraps. I knew that. But my head was so full of this girl, I had forgotten that rule on the resort, but I could get around it.
“Well then, I’ll get it later.”
“I still have a couple of cupcakes I’ll share.”
I leaned back, pretending that was all I cared about. “Perfect.”
“How much longer are you here for?”
I shrugged. I had planned on leaving tomorrow, but now I had other ideas. “A few more days. I have some things to take care of.”
“How’re the galleries?”
“Business is great. At all of them.”
“And the, ah, other ventures?”
I tilted my head, not giving anything away. “Quiet. I am only needed on occasion.”
“Good.”
“Everything all right for you?”
He nodded. “Some new clients, fresh money. Lots of investing and no one has lost a cent.”
I flashed him a grin. His clients would never lose a penny. My brother had a magic touch and, with my silent support, would beat the market, no matter what.
I raised my glass. “To another successful year.”
He lifted his as well. “May we both get what we want.”
I sipped my scotch.
I fully intended to.
“Uncle Dante?” Carolina’s face was confused and shocked. Her confusion gave way to distress.
“Oh my God, what happened? Are Mom and Dad okay?”
I held up my hand, silencing her. “They’re fine.”
“How did you find me?”
“I gave you your honeymoon as a gift. I know where you are. I made the arrangements for the video call.”
I didn’t tell her that my initial plan had been to fly there to get the information I needed, but I decided it would take too long. Instead, I called the manager and arranged it.
Easily done when you owned the resort.
“What is so urgent, then?”
“I need the name of the lady who made your cake. And her contact information.”
She frowned, looking exactly the way Amanda did when she was displeased with Paolo. I had seen that look often.
“And what could possibly be so urgent you need that contact info immediately? I’m only gone two weeks.”
“I am hosting an event and need something spectacular. The cake I saw fits that bill. But I need to make sure she can do it in the time frame required, and I have to make a decision by Tuesday.”