Page 40 of Roses are Royal

See you then.

Oooookay. That was a little short, especially after the time we shared last night and the nice note he left this morning. Maybe he is busy or in a meeting or something? I guess he did answer the question I asked. I’m not sure what else I was expecting. I think this hangover is making me grumpy over nothing. Time for some greasy diner food and coffee.

48

DANTE

What does she mean she’ll be out today as well? I could barely respond with the irrational frustration I felt. Of course she can go wherever she wants without letting me know, but the possessive side of my brain doesn’t understand I haven’t earned that right. I assumed she would be at the house all day since several rooms are still incomplete, including all the bedrooms on the second floor. Could she be going into the city? No, that’s not it. It’s already too late in the day for her to make the drive there and back in time for a 7 p.m. dinner.

I almost feel bad for turning her alarms off last night when I plugged her phone into her charger. I figured she needed the sleep after all the long hours she has been putting in, and a few extra hours of sleep wouldn’t hurt if she was just working at the house all day. I’m already in the city and walking down the sidewalk toward Liliana’s Cucina, so it’s not like I can turn around now and drive back upstate. Plus, I really need to talk with Angelo and see how he is doing, and figure out what I am going to tell him about the progress with Rose.

I had planned to come up with a strategy on the drive back to the city, but all I could think of was how Rose felt in my arms last night as I carried her to bed. I probably watched her sleeping form on my screen for hours before I finally went to sleep, knowing I had a long day ahead of me. I guess I will have to resort to monitoring her location from my tracking app and can check in on the cameras as needed to ensure she is safe while I’m away. I also put a tracker on Luca’s work truck the last time he was at the house so I can keep an eye on his location. I don’t think he would ever hurt Rose physically, but I’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to tesoro mio.

I plan to keep this meeting with Angelo short so I can pick up stuff for dinner and be home in plenty of time to cook for Rose. The thought of not spending more time with Angelo after all he has done for me, and knowing his time is limited, gives me a twinge of something I’m not sure I’ve ever felt before, but I believe it’s called guilt. But a new idea is shaping in my mind, and if all goes to plan, Angelo and I can still both get what we want out of the deal—Rose—even if it costs me my freedom.

49

ROSE

“Shirley, my love.” I groan in pleasure when I see Shirley is working today as I walk through the diner’s entrance and make my way to my booth. I don’t think I could handle someone new when it feels like my head is in a vise. Seriously, how much did I drink last night? “I need the largest cup of coffee you have. Actually, bring over the pitcher and a straw, and I’ll drink it straight from there.”

“Rough night, doll?”

“Honestly, no. However, it is definitely a rough morning. Help me please.” I’m practically begging at this point.

“Here’s some water to start with, and I’ll put in your regular order and then grab you some coffee. Unless you want something different today?”

“My regular is perfect. You’re an angel.”

“Now I know you must be hungover with all that praise. Hang tight, sweetie, and I’ll see if I have some painkillers in my purse as well.”

“Marry me?”

“Oh sugar, you know you’re not my type,” Shirley adds with a wink and glides away to grab what I hope is a jumbo pot of coffee and extra-strength painkillers.

Setting down a large iced coffee with whipped cream on top and extra sugars on the side, Shirley asks, “So does this have to do with a certain dark and brooding man who practically carried you out of here a couple of nights ago? Or, perhaps, the ruggedly handsome gentleman you were eating dinner with when Mr. Dangerous stormed in? Hmm?”

“Ugh, Shirley, don’t remind me. But you are partially correct. I did have a few drinks last night with ‘Mr. Dangerous.’” I add air quotes to the nickname Shirley gave Dante. I wonder what he would think of the nickname? He’d probably like it.

“A few, huh?” Shirley asks with a raise of an eyebrow.

“Turns out, I’m a lightweight, I guess. Who knew?” See, this is why I never drink whiskey. Or maybe I’m just not used to such high-quality alcohol. I don’t even want to know how much the bottle of whiskey we were drinking last night cost. Or was it bourbon? What is even the difference?

“Well, I’ll be back with your food in a bit, and you can tell me all about it. Now try to drink some of that water before you fill your veins with that caffeine. I made it extra strong this morning.” Shirley chuckles and heads back toward the kitchen to tend to the few other customers sitting at the countertop. It’s so rare I see other customers while I’m here. I guess I need to be more careful about what I say in case someone knows Dante. The last thing I need is for Dante to find out I’m hungover and gossiping about him to Shirley.

A few minutes later, Shirley is back with my cheeseburger, tater tots, and the largest soda I’ve ever seen, and I almost want to melt to the floor in happiness. Then she slides into the booth on the bench across from me and takes a sip from her own mug of black coffee. Gross. But I can’t help the smile that lights up my face when she says, “Well, spill the tea, darlin’.”

“Ha, spill the tea? Where did you even learn that, Shirley?”

“That’s what the kids these days are saying, isn’t it?”

“Yes, I guess you are right,” I add with a chuckle. “Is it okay for you to sit with me though? I don’t want to get you in trouble, as much as I’d love the company.”

“Perks of being the boss,” Shirley responds with a wink.

“Wait, you own the diner? That is so cool! I recently started my own company and couldn’t imagine going back to working for someone else. How long have you owned the diner?”

“Stop trying to change the subject and tell me about drinks with Mr. Dangerous.” Her beaming smile is filled with mischief, and at this moment, I can imagine what it would be like to gossip and talk about boys, relationships, and all the other things life has to throw at me with a mother figure. My heart aches for something I never had, but maybe Shirley can fill another void in my life, and we could actually be friends. I would like that.