No Strings Attached

Chapter Forty-One

"Ah! There she is!" Connor stands to attention as Gray leads me into the parlor. "We were beginning to worry something had come up."

I extend a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to him in form of apology. "I really hate this traffic."

"You better get used to it. I have to leave at least twenty minutes early to get anywhere in this mess."

I chuckle, admiring the décor. The fireplace is roaring even though it's nearly 100 degrees outside. Still, it's pretty to look at. I walk to it, observing the pictures on the mantel.

"I don't think I've seen these before," I observe.

Connor comes up beside me, pointing to one of the frames. "My daughter. I think she was five then. We were on a beach somewhere along the coast." He flicks his chin towards another photograph. "That's my ex-wife. She fell in love with another man while we were together. She was with him for four years before I even realized."

Shit, four years. "Were things sour between you? Were you separated?"

"No." He chuckles. "No, I thought we were happy."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Some things just aren't meant to work out, but then, I don't have to tell you about that." I lean against the stones as he approaches the bar, grabbing glasses. "Shall we pop open this wine?"

I smile, doing well hiding the tumulus storm occurring within me due to the courthouse scene yesterday. "Sure."

I watch as he pops the cork. He's about to pour my glass when he stops.

"Oh, wait. You like scotch, don't you?"

"It really doesn't matter." He ignores me, reaching for the scotch decanter. I chuckle. "You're really very observant."

"Have to be to keep up with you people." He hands me my glass, clinking his wine glass against my drink. "Salute."

I take a sip to be courteous, knowing I won't take another. Not while I feel like this.

"So, how did the court hearing go?"

"I didn't think you knew about that."

"Hard to not hear about it these days. That family is in shambles... I can imagine it was difficult."

I shake my head. "No, it wasn't. I went, had my say, and left."

"Giovanni didn't approach you at all? Really?"

"Why do you find that hard to believe?"

He shrugs. "Just didn't seem like the kind of fella that would give you the cold shoulder is all."

"Daddy? Is she here yet?" Our attention turns to the teenage daughter rushing into the room, her round bright eyes widened excitedly when she realizes he's not alone. I'm beginning to smile to her, but am quickly distracted by the teenager walking in behind her.

I recognize her.

I know who she is.

I face Connor, appalled. He's sipping his drink, completely aware that I'm struggling to compose myself.

"Ms. Bardot, it's so amazing to meet you," Maddy says, extending her hand to me. My eyes are intent on Giovanni's sister standing just behind her friend, staring at me with a soft smile. Fuck!

"Please, call me Scarlett."

"This is Valentina. She and I have been friends forever, since kindergarten. We're seniors now," Maddy introduces, gesturing to her friend. "She's Giovanni Martinelli's sister, but I didn't think you'd met yet."