fine-tuning it.” Her apartment seemed very small with him in it.
“Your work is impressive,” he said.
Isabel tried not to let surprise show on her face and instead smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“The project still has a long way to go. Would you like a coffee?”
“I should go.”
The intensity of his gaze held her captive as he moved forward and placed a kiss on her cheek.
She stood motionless as he turned and left her apartment. The gesture felt strangely intimate and her mind tried to make sense of his actions.
Chapter 5
Isabel finished editing the short film that would be presented at the cocktail reception that evening. She had included clips from interviews at Santoro Designs along with still photography from Carrara. Glancing at her phone, she let out a shriek as she realized she needed to be walking out the door that minute.
The invitation had indicated “ formal attire required ” but she had no interest in wearing a revealing gown. She had too many scars from the accident to wear a typical cocktail dress. She chose a long black pencil skirt with an intricate embroidered design and paired it with a button-down white silk shirt. She added high black leather boots and a long necklace. Looking in the mirror, she realized she looked ready for work and not a cocktail party, but at least her body was covered.
Taking a bus to the Fort Channel area, she walked the few blocks to Santoro Designs. As she approached, she could see the building was illuminated and well-dressed people were beginning to arrive.
Simone, the receptionist, in a sexy black off the shoulder dress, was greeting guests at the door and checking people in with a hand-held device.
She murmured to Isabel, “Didn’t you realize it was formal?”
“It’s also a work event for me and I plan to take some photographs.” Isabel defended herself and moved away from Simone. Glancing around the room, she took in the crowds of people chatting and drinking champagne. She hoped to fade into the background, but she realized her outfit made her more visible.
As she took a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, she caught Marc’s gaze and felt her stomach tighten. She watched in fascination as he politely moved away from a group of people and came toward her. He wore a pristine tuxedo and looked impossibly handsome.
“ Buona sera , Isabel.” He kissed her cheek and she felt her body react to him.
She met his eyes and waited for his scathing review of her outfit.
“In a few minutes, I’ll make an announcement about the film and you can say a few words about the project before the short film. You should check in with the technician to upload the video file.”
She nodded and tried to suppress the reaction she was having to his nearness. Her entire body felt sensitized and she could barely take a breath. Why did her body react to him?
Alberto joined them and hugged her enthusiastically. He seemed so happy and carefree tonight. “ Cara , why didn’t you wear a gown?”
Isabel wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. She knew her grandfather must have no idea that her scars prevented her from wearing a gown, but she felt hurt that he didn’t realize.
Marc answered for her. “It is also a work event. Isabel is going to reveal the concept for the documentary tonight.”
Isabel took another swallow of her champagne. She met his gaze and had the feeling that Marc knew more that he was letting on. Why else would he let her off the hook so easily?
Marc said in a clipped tone, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on a few details.”
Isabel glanced at her grandfather, “ Nonno , I can’t wear anything revealing with all of the scars,” she told him in a hushed tone.
“I’m sorry, Isabel. I forgot. You are always so beautiful, I didn’t remember.”
He looked so formidable in his tuxedo, but she knew he regretted getting pushed into early retirement and that he missed his wife of almost fifty
“Your work is impressive,” he said.
Isabel tried not to let surprise show on her face and instead smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“The project still has a long way to go. Would you like a coffee?”
“I should go.”
The intensity of his gaze held her captive as he moved forward and placed a kiss on her cheek.
She stood motionless as he turned and left her apartment. The gesture felt strangely intimate and her mind tried to make sense of his actions.
Chapter 5
Isabel finished editing the short film that would be presented at the cocktail reception that evening. She had included clips from interviews at Santoro Designs along with still photography from Carrara. Glancing at her phone, she let out a shriek as she realized she needed to be walking out the door that minute.
The invitation had indicated “ formal attire required ” but she had no interest in wearing a revealing gown. She had too many scars from the accident to wear a typical cocktail dress. She chose a long black pencil skirt with an intricate embroidered design and paired it with a button-down white silk shirt. She added high black leather boots and a long necklace. Looking in the mirror, she realized she looked ready for work and not a cocktail party, but at least her body was covered.
Taking a bus to the Fort Channel area, she walked the few blocks to Santoro Designs. As she approached, she could see the building was illuminated and well-dressed people were beginning to arrive.
Simone, the receptionist, in a sexy black off the shoulder dress, was greeting guests at the door and checking people in with a hand-held device.
She murmured to Isabel, “Didn’t you realize it was formal?”
“It’s also a work event for me and I plan to take some photographs.” Isabel defended herself and moved away from Simone. Glancing around the room, she took in the crowds of people chatting and drinking champagne. She hoped to fade into the background, but she realized her outfit made her more visible.
As she took a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, she caught Marc’s gaze and felt her stomach tighten. She watched in fascination as he politely moved away from a group of people and came toward her. He wore a pristine tuxedo and looked impossibly handsome.
“ Buona sera , Isabel.” He kissed her cheek and she felt her body react to him.
She met his eyes and waited for his scathing review of her outfit.
“In a few minutes, I’ll make an announcement about the film and you can say a few words about the project before the short film. You should check in with the technician to upload the video file.”
She nodded and tried to suppress the reaction she was having to his nearness. Her entire body felt sensitized and she could barely take a breath. Why did her body react to him?
Alberto joined them and hugged her enthusiastically. He seemed so happy and carefree tonight. “ Cara , why didn’t you wear a gown?”
Isabel wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. She knew her grandfather must have no idea that her scars prevented her from wearing a gown, but she felt hurt that he didn’t realize.
Marc answered for her. “It is also a work event. Isabel is going to reveal the concept for the documentary tonight.”
Isabel took another swallow of her champagne. She met his gaze and had the feeling that Marc knew more that he was letting on. Why else would he let her off the hook so easily?
Marc said in a clipped tone, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on a few details.”
Isabel glanced at her grandfather, “ Nonno , I can’t wear anything revealing with all of the scars,” she told him in a hushed tone.
“I’m sorry, Isabel. I forgot. You are always so beautiful, I didn’t remember.”
He looked so formidable in his tuxedo, but she knew he regretted getting pushed into early retirement and that he missed his wife of almost fifty
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