I end up sandwiched in the backseat between my boyfriend and Shrek, with Eric sitting shotgun. To say it’s cramped would be the world biggest understatement. Really though, I don’t mind. It gives me an excuse to lean into Vincent’s side.
The drive to the office is only a few minutes, but I pull out my phone and scroll through my emails while the men on either side of me talk about business.
Vincent’s hand squeezes my knee. “If Uncle Enzo is back in town, make sure he gets an invite to the gala next weekend.”
I glance up, thinking he’s talking to me but see that his attention is still on Angelo. I haven’t heard Vincent mention an Uncle Enzo before, but if it’s not a task for me to do, then I won’t concern myself with it.
I’m excited for the gala-style charity fundraiser that Mazzanti Enterprises will be hosting as a sort of breakout event. We thought about holding it elsewhere in the city. The Syndicate Hotel was at the top of the list for a potential location, but between the rental fees and the hotel’s nefarious history, the planning committee decided to keep it in-house. Once I finally took a peek at the event space on the second floor of the M.E. building, I realized it was a smart choice. The room is stunning.
It’s going to be a glamourous evening filled with music, delicious food and fabulous silent auction items, but it’s also something I can be proud to be a part of. The money that we raise will be split between a handful of local organizations that all focus on homelessness, hunger and domestic violence. There will be mention of Marie’s House throughout the event, but the main point is to bring together like-minded donors and like-minded organizations.
I’m excited to see the final outcome. And I’m thrilled I don’t have to do much of the work since it’s primarily an event planning affair. My team will only have a minor role to play, and for that I’m thankful.
I’m also thankful that my driver, who’s name I still don’t know, pulled us into the underground executive lot. It’s hard enough to explain Eric’s presence to my coworkers. The last thing I want is to be seen arriving at work in the same car as Vincent.
Every assumption they’d probably have would be true, but still – I’m not ready to deal with that fallout yet.
Vincent holds the door open for me, then lets Eric and Angelo walk ahead of us as he twines our fingers together.
“Come over tonight.” The cocky Devil tells me, instead of asking. “I have a lunch meeting today and I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to see you again.”
Oh. Well. When he says it like that.
Using my grip on his hand, I pull him to a stop. My other hand reaching up to smooth down the front of his shirt. “If that’s what you want, sir.”
