“And that’s due to my amazing wife. She’s the one who believed in us and helped me to get past some rough spots. If it wasn’t for her, I’d still be miserable and alone.”
That last comment really caught Niko’s attention. “You were miserable when you were single?”
Cristo shrugged his shoulders. “I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. I thought I knew what would make me happy. And I was completely wrong. Lucky for me, Kyra opened my eyes. Your cousin is very smart, but if you tell her I said any of this, I’ll totally deny it.”
A smile pulled at Niko’s lips. “Don’t worry. I don’t think I have to tell my cousin a thing. Anyone can see the happiness radiating from you two.”
“It’s easy when you have the right person in your life. Do you think Sofia is the right person for you?”
The smile slipped from Niko’s face. “I think so.”
“Why do you look so worried?”
“I’m not sure Sofia feels the same way.”
“Ah, I understand. Women are tough to read.”
Niko cleared his throat. “Speaking of Sofia, have you known her long?”
“Depends on how you look at it. I’ve known her as long as I’ve known Kyra. And that was long enough for me to realize I wasn’t going to let Kyra get away. From what I’ve witnessed, Sofia is loyal and trustworthy.”
“Thanks for the insight.”
“But if you’re curious about Sofia, why aren’t you talking to her?”
Cristo was right. He just wanted to make sure there wasn’t something he was missing about Sofia before he enacted his plan. “It’s just that... Oh, never mind. I need to focus on my trip so we can finalize our deal. I’ll worry about this stuff later.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Not long.” While away, he intended to give his idea of marriage to Sofia some serious thought. “A few weeks.”
“That fast?”
“You sound surprised.” To him, being away from the Stravos Trust during this pivotal transition seemed like an eternity.
“I don’t know. I just thought you might want to take some downtime after everything that has happened.”
He was referring to the death of Niko’s grandfather. “I did take a little time off, but I found the work helps. It’s therapeutic for me.”
Cristo nodded in understanding. “Maybe the trip will be good for you, too.”
“Honestly, I’m not thrilled about this trip. It couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
“Then why not delay it?”
“Trust me—the thought has crossed my mind more than once. But the sale of the hotel chain can’t be delayed. I have plans for the money, and I’m sure you’re anxious to get on with the merger of the two hotel chains.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow.”
“And what about Sofia? You don’t want to miss this opportunity. You might never get it back.”
Cristo’s warning made Niko hesitate. Had he somehow found out about Sofia’s plans to return to New York? She’d said she hadn’t turned her resignation in yet, but after their discussion perhaps she’d changed her mind. “Is there a particular reason you say that?”
Cristo rubbed his clean-shaven jaw. “I really shouldn’t say anything—”
“This is important. If it’s about Sofia, I really need to know.”
Cristo’s brows rose. “Fine. The phone call I was on when you arrived was from my manager. Sofia has tendered her resignation at the Blue Tide Resort. She’s transferring back to the New York hotel.”
“How soon?”
“Immediately.”
“Immediately?” This was news.
“I haven’t spoken to her myself, but from what I can gather, she’s planning to hop on the next plane to New York. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“Let’s just say I might have some idea about what’s going on.” When Cristo sent him an I knew it look, Niko continued, “The thing is I, um, need her help. Would it be possible to give her some time off?”
“What sort of time are we talking? A day? Or two?”
“At least a few weeks.”
Cristo’s eyes widened. “I see. Well, I think we could make that work. But is Sofia willing to go along with whatever you have in mind?”
“I don’t know, but I’m about to find out.”
“Are you sure—”
“I am.” Niko jumped to his feet. “Thanks. I have to go.”
He didn’t have a specific plan in mind to delay her departure, but he’d think of something. He didn’t have a choice. He couldn’t let Sofia disappear before they settled things. He was good at coming up with spontaneous plans. He had to come up with something good, something irresistible.
* * *
With a sigh, Sofia settled on the couch in her efficiency apartment. It had been a long, stressful day, and all she wanted now was to stay put, eat some leftover pizza and watch a romantic comedy. It might cheer her up. Then again, an adventure movie might be better.
Her meeting with Niko hadn’t gone terribly wrong, but it hadn’t been good, either. Was it so far-fetched that she’d secretly envisioned his happy acceptance of the news? Instead, Niko looked as though he’d been diagnosed with a month to live.
Sofia glanced down at the uneaten slice of pepperoni pizza in her hand. Her stomach lurched. She slipped the food back on the plate. Maybe she’d finish it later—much later. After her stomach stopped feeling as if it was on the high seas. She hadn’t experienced morning sickness until this week. Perhaps it was her nerves. Whatever it was, she wanted it to go away.
When her phone chimed, she welcomed the distraction. She snatched it from the coffee table, expecting to find a text from Kyra. Sofia had messaged her best friend earlier, telling her they needed to talk ASAP.
She’d been best friends with Kyra since junior high. Sofia thought they complemented each other well. She liked to take risks while Kyra liked to toe the line. Between the two of them, they’d kept out of trouble—or at least were never caught, as Kyra had reminded her over the years. But still, having a baby with a man that Kyra was just getting to know as family might put a strain on their friendship. Sofia hoped she was worried for nothing, but she’d learned the hard way that things don’t always work out the way you imagine.
When she glanced at her phone, she saw the message wasn’t from Kyra, after all. It was Niko. Her heart pounded, and her palms grew clammy. She immediately clicked on the text, anxious to find out what he wanted.
NikoStravosIII: Can we meet?
MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): When?
NikoStravosIII: Now.
She glanced down at her gray sweat shorts and faded pink T-shirt. She definitely wasn’t in any condition to run out the door and meet up with a billionaire. She wondered if he ever had a hair out of place or dressed in anything but designer clothes. She highly doubted it.
MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): Now isn’t a good time.
NikoStravosIII: It has to be tonight.
MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): I don’t know.