The Broken One (Corisi Billionaires, #1)(43)

“No, Bob says neither would turn a guy off.”

My eyes flew to hers in horror. “You told him?”

She shrugged. “He’s my best friend.”

I groaned. “I’m never going to be able to look him in the eye again.”

She waved a hand in dismissal. “Bob doesn’t care. I did ask him for his opinion, though, and he thinks you should call Sebastian. Maybe something happened to him. Wouldn’t you feel bad if he was in the hospital or something?”

I hadn’t thought of that. “Wouldn’t we have heard about it?”

“Bob knows everyone, and he said the day after the vote came in positive, two Romanos met with the town administrator, but he wasn’t one of them. Sebastian came to take care of you when you were sick. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for you to offer to do the same if he’s under the weather.”

“I’m not calling him.”

“Because you’re playing hard to get.”

“I’m not playing at all.”

“And how is that working out for you?”

I spun toward her. “He’s not sick, Erica. He’s just not interested. And I don’t care either way.”

Eyes wide, she raised her hands in surrender. “Then there’s no need to chew my head off, is there?”

I rolled my eyes skyward. She was right. “Okay, I liked him. Of course I wish he’d called. But I’m not going to chase him.”

“I wouldn’t describe a phone call to make sure he’s not in a coma as chasing.”

Relenting a little, I checked the time on my phone. “It’s only six o’clock. He’s probably still at work. I don’t want to bother him.”

She took the phone from me and scrolled for his number, then hit the phone icon. “Bother him.”

“Hey—don’t—you can’t—” The phone was already ringing. Even if I hung up, he’d still see a missed call from me.

“Hello?” he answered in a groggy voice.

Oh my God, maybe he was sick. “It’s Heather. Just calling to see if you’re okay.”

“Heather.” He repeated my name slowly. “Yeah. Sorry, I was sleeping.”

“Sleeping? Are you sick?”

“No, I’m in Italy.”

“He’s in Italy,” I mouthed to Erica. “Not sick. Told you.” I cleared my throat. “I’ll let you get back to sleep.”

“Wait,” he said.

My heart jumped in my chest. “Yes?”

“I meant to call you, but—”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not.” No way I was letting that conversation happen. I was perfectly okay with sparing myself the fun of listening to him make up excuses.

“You’re upset. I can understand that without an explanation, breaking things off might have—”

“There was nothing to break off,” I said as my pride kicked in. “I said no to you.”

“Yes, you did,” he agreed far too easily.

I couldn’t help it; I had to know. “Why did you ghost me? Because I didn’t jump when you asked me to? Well, sorry if I have a life of my own. You might be used to women who fall all over themselves simply because you show up, but I have higher standards than that.” I stopped to take a breath.

Erica dragged my hand over and put him on speaker. I slapped at her, but she was too fast. “Don’t worry, I’ll still watch the kids,” she whispered, as if that was why I thought she shouldn’t hear his side of the phone call. She leaned toward the phone while facing the playground.

Whatever.

Let her hear this. Maybe then she’ll stop asking me about him.

His voice thickened in his next words. “You’re hurt. This is what I didn’t want to happen. You’re an incredible woman, but I have some things I need to work out before I can think about getting serious with anyone.”

It’s not you; it’s me. I hate that line.

“Then isn’t it fortunate that I said no?”

He chuckled, and I wanted to smack him. “Yes, it is.”

“You think this is funny?”

Humor left his voice. “Far from it. I’m laughing because I am so fucked up. A moment ago we were naked and tangled up in my dream. Now I’m on the phone, trying to convince myself I made the right decision, but all I want is you here beside me.”

My breath caught in my throat. “Don’t do this . . .” Don’t get me thinking there is something where there’s nothing.

“That’s what I keep telling myself. You have a child—”

“If Ava has anything to do with your decision not to see me, let me say this up front—there is nothing in my life more important than she is. Nothing. If having her means I don’t have sex again until I’m fifty, I’m fine with it.”

Erica touched my arm. “You might want to lower your voice.”

I looked around. There were only a few other parents in the area, but they were all looking at me. Thankfully none of the children seemed to have heard. In a much lower tone, I said, “I don’t need you, Sebastian Romano. So enjoy Italy.”

I still shook after ending the call.

For once Erica kept her thoughts to herself.