Page 209 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8
But Antonia liked a clear desk as much as he did, and had persisted. Relaying urgent messages, the names of other clients who were also about to stuff up, several requests from the press.
And now there was the personal stuff...
‘Signor Adino, the jeweller...?’
‘Dealt with.’
‘Helene...’ She glanced up, to confirm that he knew she meant his brother’s PA. ‘Helene would like to know if there is anything pressing regarding your trip home. She’s more than happy to assist...’
Damn Sev. Too wrapped up in his own life to get on a plane himself, Dante thought. But now he wanted a full report.
He could wait.
‘Oh, and a Susie Bilton left a message,’ Antonia said. ‘She said it was personal.’
‘Grazie,’Dante said.
Merda, he thought.
Dante really didn’t hear the rest, but he managed to nod in enough right places that finally he had the office to himself.
He’d tried to end it nicely this morning—had really thought she’d understood that there would be no repeats, no follow-up, no more...
He’d destroyed everyone he’d ever been close to, save for Gio, and he was not going to risk it with Susie.
Their weekend had been a rare one, and one to never repeat.
He’d been certain when he’d told Susie what had happened between him and Rosa that that would be it.
Now it was time to be his bastard self.
He dialled her number.
‘Susie,’ he said.
‘Dante?’
‘My assistant just informed me that you called.’
‘Scusi...’she said, and he heard someone swear at her.
‘Where are you?’
‘Walking to work.’
‘So why is someone swearing at you?’
He tried not to think of the last time he’d seen her walking on the walls. How he’d teased her about Mimi being Juliet...
Instead he got back to the point. ‘And why did you call? Antonia said it was for personal reasons. I didn’t think you were needy, Susie.’
‘Needy?’ She let out an incredulous laugh. ‘I actually called you last Friday.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you told me I’d be able to find you in two minutes.’
He saw another image, this time of Susie standing under the umbrella.