Page 72 of The Billionaire's Destiny

“He can try, but it won’t go anywhere. His lies are out in the open, and there’s video of him creeping up behind you while you were twerking—”

I groaned. “Oh, no. People saw it?”

“Gurl, you looked sexy and flexible—”

“Flexible?” I repeated in mock indignance and laughed. “Xander, you’re not helping.” But then a low chuckle had me turning my head to find Rocco laughing.

I grinned and touched his arm. “Hey!”

His laughter filled the car, and I couldn’t help but join in. After everything, it felt good to let go.

“I can hear Rocco laughing. My work’s done here. You’re welcome.”

I grinned. “Thanks, and thanks for the update.”

“Anytime, beautiful. Keep your head up, and be happy. Okay? You got your dream job and a dreamy hubby who rides in to protect you. I can see the love, and it’s something to remember and focus on. It’s what I’d told Nadia, too. Life’s too short to worry about the little things. Keep going. You got it.”

“Thank you, Xander. And I’m so glad you came up here. I had a great time hanging out with you. I hope to do it again.”

“Oh, we will. We’re friends now. Shopping, dancing, and gossiping. You can call me anytime. Okay?” He left it in the air, and honestly, I was grateful to have someone around me that wasn’t working for us and could be a real friend.

“I will, and you can call me anytime, too.”

“You’re on my list.”

I hung up, and Rocco steered us down the winding road to the estate. “Everything good with Xander?”

“Yes, he’s fine.”

“Good. I did enjoy dancing last night.”

“I did, too. Xander was fun, and I thought maybe you’d like the… What?” I asked, peering out the window at a brand new SUV was parked at the entrance.

Rocco pulled the car in front of the house just as Rick came outside. “Who’s here?”

“Your parents came over twenty minutes ago.”

We headed into the house and Rocco muttered over his shoulder to me. “I’ll tell them we’re busy so they won’t stay long,” making it clear he wasn’t thrilled either by their surprise visit.

I exhaled, bracing myself for another round of family pressure. But the aroma of food that drifted out made my stomach growl. At the end of the hall, an older woman emerged, smoothing her apron and nudging her glasses up her nose. Her voice carried down the end of the corridor. “Is that you, little Luca?”

“Micola!” Rocco called out, his voice bright with joy as he dashed down the hall into her arms. “Micola, è bello vederti. Com’è stato il volo?”How are you doing?

“Bene, bene. Grazie. Come stai?”Good, good. Thank you. How are you doing?

Rocco smiled broadly at her. “Tutto a posto.”Everything’s in place.

They exchanged kisses on each cheek before stepping apart. Rocco slipped his hand into hers and led her over to where I stood in the foyer. “This is our beloved Micola, my mother’s sister and my favorite aunt.”

“I am,” Micola replied, her eyes sparkling as she left Rocco’s side and wrapped my hands in hers. “You are Luca’s dulce Adelina. He always said you were his favorite person.”

I grinned. “I’m sure he had a long list.”

She snorted. “No. He did not.”

We all laughed at that.

She squeezed my hands once more, her smile warm. “Are you hungry, dolce ragazza?”