But I couldn’t tell Vanessa that.
“I guess…since the moment I met him.”
Vanessa’s eyes softened in a way they never had before. “Aww…” She set her glass down, her lips stretching into a beautiful smile. “That’s so sweet, even if you are talking about my brother. I always thought he’d want to be with some stuck-up skank with no personality, and I’m so glad he picked you. You’re perfect for him.”
I smiled back. “Yeah, I think we’re perfect together.”
Vanessa and I said goodbye on the sidewalk, giving each other a long hug before I turned away and headed to the van.
Out of nowhere, a man walked up with a microphone in his hand. Behind him was a man holding a news crew camera, and judging by the bright red light, the camera was rolling. “Sapphire, can we talk with you for a moment?”
I’d seen paparazzi swarm Conway whenever we went to fashion shows or other events, but I’d never seen them emerge on a quiet evening in the city. I was surprised they were there to begin with. Perhaps other people spotted me and started posting it on the internet.
No wonder Conway didn’t want me to go anywhere.
The two men who’d escorted me to Milan got out of the SUV and came toward me, ready to pull me out of the situation and away from the spotlight.
Now I was grateful I’d brought them.
“Is it true that you’re living with Conway?” The man turned the microphone to my mouth.
“I… I have to go.” I’d already experienced this attention once when I was in New York. But that event still didn’t prepare me for this. The lights were right in my eyes, and more people crowded around me when they realized I was Conway’s woman.
He pressed the microphone farther toward me. “Do you love Conway Barsetti?”
It was such a personal question, something I hadn’t even said to him. But it was obvious to anyone who saw us together. Vanessa had just asked me when I knew he was the one, even though I’d never told her I loved him. The whole world believed we were in love, because that was exactly what they saw.
I didn’t see the harm in saying it. It was long overdue, and I was exhausted from holding it in for so long. Like a secret I wanted to get off my chest, I let the truth fly from my lips. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
11
Conway
I didn’t realize Muse had called me until past midnight. The conversation with my family lasted longer than I anticipated. It ended on a cold note, just as cold as it was before. Instead of moving past this difficult time, we seemed to be in the exact same place.
I stayed at the hotel again that night because I didn’t want to be at the house.
Even though I wasn’t certain if I was welcome anyway.
I promised I wouldn’t be involved in the Underground anymore, and it was a promise I’d never wanted to make. I was furious my father didn’t admire me even a little bit for what I did. I spent thirty million of my own money to save a girl I didn’t even know.
Still didn’t know her name.
And that meant nothing to him?
I understood my father just wanted to protect me. I wasn’t that dense. But he obviously didn’t respect me as a grown man. Most of the time, he acted like he did. But once the circumstances changed, the truth came out.
I was too pissed to call Muse back. I would just be shitty company and probably piss her off. She was the only thing in my life that made me feel good, and I wasn’t going to fuck that up by calling her right now. If she called again, I would answer. But I wasn’t going to ruin her night by calling her.
The next day, Carter and I got into the SUV and drove back to my parents’ house. The two of us didn’t talk much last night, both too exhausted by all the bullshit we’d listened to all evening. There was nothing left to say anyway.
Carter was behind the wheel, his eyes full of exhaustion like he hadn’t slept much the night before. “I’m gonna head back to Milan today.”
“Good idea. There’s nothing left to do here anyway.”
He faced forward again, one hand on the wheel as he drove through the countryside. He drove a Range Rover, even though it wasn’t related to the cars he designed for his company. “How’d you sleep?”
“I didn’t sleep.”
“Me neither,” he said. “I thought we’d be past this by now, but they still seem pissed at us.”
“I know… It’s like we’re children.”
“Ridiculous, right?”
Fifteen minutes later, we pulled up to the house and walked inside. My mother greeted us by the door, and despite the heavy conversation we’d had the night before, she hugged me tightly and kissed me on the cheek. I felt her love surround me, unconditional and everlasting.