Just One Hello (Book 2 in the Just Series)

Chapter 20

Ellie

"You did what?" Zarah asked as she burst out laughing. "Oh my
god, Ellie, that's so funny. I can't believe you actually took his car and left him there," she erupted into a fit of giggles.

I found my self laughing too.

"I can't believe you actually called him from inside his car. He must have been so angry with you," she said.

By this time I was laughing uncontrollably.

After we settled down, Zarah finally asked, "so what are you going to do with his car?"

I shrugged. "I don't know yet. It's a great car and I enjoyed driving it. I might keep it for awhile."

She laughed. "You're evil," she said.

"He pissed me off," I said dismissively.

The next morning, I woke up to my phone ringing.

I groaned and grabbed my phone from the end table.

"This better be an emergency," I growled into the phone.

I heard a chuckle on the other line. A very familiar chuckle.

"Good morning to you too, princess. I'm guessing you're not a morning person," he said.

"What do you want?" I hissed.

He laughed. "I was just wondering when you are planning to return the car that you stole from me last
night?"

"Why?" I asked. "You have more where it came from."

Marco chuckled. "Princess, if you love my car so much, then fine. You can have it," he said.

"What? Are you crazy? Why would you give me your car? And why would I take it?" I asked incredulously.

He laughed. "Princess, it's just car and like you said, I have more of those where it came from so it's no big deal. Besides I know you don't have a car yet. Am I right?"

"So? That doesn't mean you can give me your car!" I argued.

He groaned. "Damn woman, do you ever not argue? Do you always have to have the last say?"

"Of course!" I said. I can't see him but I know he's shaking his head at me and rolling his eyes.

"Fine. How about this. Keep the car as long as you want. You can return it to me when you want," he said.

"Why?" I asked while trying to stifle my giggles.

He growled. "Ellie!"

"What?" I burst out laughing.

"You are really trying to get a rise out of me aren't you?"

"Maybe..."

"You're enjoying this, Tesoro." He said.

"Maybe..."

He chuckled. "Ok then, princess. I'll talk to you later. Take care. Sorry I woke you up," he said.

"Ok..." I said not hanging up.

"Ellie?"

"Yes?"

"Hang up honey," he said.

God. Why do I love it when he calls me by his terms of endearment.

Damn it.

"Honey?"

"Huh?"

He chuckled. "I gotta go, tesoro. Be careful when you drive around that car okay," he said.

I rolled my eyes and snorted. "Don't worry Marco, your baby will be back to you scratch free," I said.

Pfft. Men and cars...

"Ellie, I don't care about the car. I want you to be careful because I don't want you to get hurt," he said. I could hear the sincerity in his voice and I can't help but feel all gooey inside.

Goodness.

"Ellie, are you still there?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Enjoy the car honey, just be careful okay?"

I smiled. "Okay," I said.

"Bye princess."

"Bye... I..." I stopped myself before I blurt out the words I love you.

Oh my god. I almost said I love you to him. But of course not. Of course I don't love him.

Do I? No. No, I don't. I just got caught up in the moment.

I don't love him. I don't...

"Princess?"

"Huh. What?"

He chuckled. "You're still sleepy aren't you? Get back to bed then honey. I'll see you soon," he said and before I could reply, he ended the call.

Oh god. How did this happen. When? Why?

Dio mio. I've fallen in love with Marco.

Marco

"Have you got any good news for me?"

"No. Not yet. I don't what's going on and how they are keeping this from leaking out. But whoever bought Maretti industries must have unlimited resources," Shane said.

I groaned. "I don't care. I want to find out who bought MI, Shane. Get it done," I said dismissing him.

He nodded in acknowledgement before leaving my office.

"I swear, Papà, I won't stop until the Maretti's pay for what they did to our family," I vowed.