Page 165 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

‘I just go quiet.’

‘In relationships. Or...?’ Dante knew he was fishing.

‘In everything, really. Work, family...’

Fishing did not suit Dante. He moved to being direct.

‘Are you in a relationship?’

‘No.’ She gave a tight shrug. ‘Not any more.’

God, but he wanted her to elaborate. Instead, she asked about him.

‘You?’

‘I don’t do relationships.’

She lifted her eyes to his and he knew now was the time to make his position absolutely clear.

‘I don’t get involved with my dates.’

‘How can you date and not get involved?’

‘Because they are all very short-lived.’

‘So, you’ve never been serious with anyone?’

‘Never,’ he told her. ‘Nor will I ever be.’

‘Wow... I’m sure you’ve broken a lot of hearts.’

‘Oh, no.’ He shook his head. ‘A good time is had by all,’ he said, in a low, silky voice. ‘So long as both parties agree. Dinner...a nice night...’

‘Hey,’ the waiter said, bringing out another coffee, his smile aimed now at Susie. ‘I didn’t catch the name of your English friend...’

‘Susie.’

Dante’s smile was tight. He loathed the implication—but of course there was. Because he’d never sat in this square with a woman. He’d never brought his dates here. Even as a teenager he’d known to keep all that well away from home, where gossip flared and no forbidden deed went unnoticed.

And so he cut the gossip straight off. ‘She has been helping out with Gio.’

‘Ah...’

Susie felt the relegation from casual coffee date to Gio’s housekeeper or nurse.

She’d thought they’d been flirting—just a bit—but it dawned on her then. The real reason Dante had been hoping they’d catch up. He probably wanted to ask her if she’d be Gio’s temporary housekeeper.

No, she did not want to be on Dante’s payroll.

Her heart sank.

Of course someone as suave and utterly gorgeous as Dante wasn’t going to be seeing her in any way other than as an employee.

‘Susie, I was wondering—’

‘Please don’t,’ she broke in. ‘The answer’s no.’

Frowning with curiosity he met her eyes, as if he hadn’t expected Susie to address their situation so boldly.