Page 58 of Irreplaceable
“The man is a legend,” Lauren said. “He plays forward for Milan FC and captains the Italian national team. At least, he used to. He just signed with the LA Leatherbacks.” She tapped a finger to her lips, raising her eyebrows. “Hmm. Interesting timing.”
I didn’t take the bait. I didn’t respond.
“He’s also won three Ballon d’Or awards and countless major trophies,” Lauren finally finished.
“So, what you’re saying—” Alexis jumped in “—is that he’s like the Harrison Hayes of Italy?”
Juliana laughed, but Lauren was deadly serious when she said, “No. He’s like a level above.” She turned to Juliana. “No offense.”
“Oh. None taken.” Juliana laughed, holding up her hands. If anything, she seemed amused.
“It has nothing to do with Harrison and everything to do with the sport,” Lauren explained in a matter-of-fact tone. “Soccer has more fans worldwide. And a player like Lorenzo…” She shook her head, her lips curling into a smile. “Wow. I mean, damn, Harper. The man is hot.”
I barked out a laugh. “Did his hotness blind you to the fact that he’s an asshole?”
“You tell me,” she teased. “You’re the one who fell for him.”
“I did not fall for him.” I rolled my eyes. “We had a fling. And to me, he was always just Enzo. Not—” I waved my hands around “—Lorenzo Mancini.” All this time, I’d been trying to figure out who he was, and apparently everyone in the world knew the answer.
“Does knowing who he is change how you feel?” Alexis asked.
“No. And yes,” I said. “Not because of his wealth or fame but because I guess it helps me understand why he was so freaked out about the photographs.”
“True,” Alexis said. “But he could’ve handled it better.”
I scoffed. “He could’ve handled a lot of things better.” I sipped some water and said, “I told him about the baby.”
“What?” Alexis’s and Lauren’s eyes went wide, and I wasn’t sure which of them had asked the question. Maybe both of them at once in a sort of collective gasp.
I gave them a recap of the conversation, and by the end of it, we were all frowning. “Yeah…it didn’t go so well. But then he apologized and told me he wants another chance.”
“What’d you say?”
I barked out a laugh. “I told him no.”
“Girl, way to make him work for it.” Lauren snapped.
“I’m not making him work for it,” I said, though he had been trying all week, even from Milan. He’d returned there briefly to finalize his move to LA.
There’d been the camera, which I hadn’t accepted. Nor the check. He’d sent me an obscene bouquet at work. Then the daffodils at home. He texted me daily to see how I was doing. He’d invited me over for dinner once he returned, but I had yet to accept because…what would be the point?
I wasn’t interested in being in a relationship with someone who had serious trust issues. Who accused me of lying multiple times when he himself hadn’t told the truth.
“So, you have no desire to sleep with him again?” Lauren asked.
I couldn’t say no, not if I wanted to answer honestly. But I wouldn’t allow my mind to go there. I was going to be smarter this time.
So I said, “It’s going to take more than a few text messages and a camera to fix this.”
I didn’t care who Enzo was. I wouldn’t allow him—or anyone else—to treat me like he had. And I sure as hell wouldn’t let him treat my child like that.
I’d meant what I’d said; I didn’t need his help. And if his life came with the level of crazy Lauren and everyone seemed to think it did, then perhaps the baby and I were better off without him.