My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 275

Chapter 275

Dante scoffed, his chest puffing out slightly, “Of course I am. She’s a social-climbing opportunist. I’m better off.”

“Gianna doesn’t want anything to do with your married-woman drama, Dante,” Silvio added, “She’s coming with me. Allegra is flying in from New York, and I want to show that tiny brat that I have a new sister-a better sister- and I don’t need her around. She can stay in her perfect little Upper East Side bubble forever.”

Maddie set her teacup down with a delicate clink, her eyes moving between Silvio and Dante like she was watching two dogs fight over a bone, “Has anyone actually stopped to ask Gianna if she already has a plus-one?” she asked, “Maybe she’s already got someone in mind.”

All eyes swung back to me. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, but I managed a small, quick shake of my head. “No,” I said, “I don’t have a date. I was just planning on going to support Claire.”

Claire’s eyes widened, “You mean you’re available? Gianna, honey, why didn’t you say so?”

“Oh, this is perfect,” Maddie added, “We can’t have you walking in there alone or, heaven forbid, as a prop for one of these two idiots.” She gestured vaguely at Dante and Silvio.

Claire was already tapping away at her iPad with renewed vigor, “I know so many guys in the art world, Gianna. And I don’t mean the starving artist types. I’m talking about decent, cute, decent men. Architects, gallery owners, collectors. I have a list. I’m going to set you up.”

“No, really, Claire, it’s fine,” I said, laughing nervously. “I’m good. I have a lot of schoolwork, and-”

“Nonsense,” Claire interrupted, her eyes scanning her screen. “What about Marcus? He’s an architect, six-foot- two, has the most adorable golden retriever, and he actually knows how to hold a conversation without mentioning crime.”

“No, Claire, please-“I started again.

“Or Justin?” Maddie chimed in, leaning closer to me, “He’s a vet at my animal sanctuary, a bit older, very stable, and he’s been looking for someone to… love. He’s very sweet, Gianna. He’d treat you like a queen.”

“No! No dates,” I said, waving my hands. But they weren’t listening. It was like a dam had broken, and they were both drowning me in potential suitors.

“I’m sending you photos right now,” Claire teased, her thumb hovering over the screen, “You’re going to pick one, or I’m picking for you.”

Maddie nodded in agreement. She looked Raphael right in the eye, “She is right, Raphael. Mind your own business. Gianna is not just here to work herself into the ground for you. If she wants to meet someone, she should.”

Raphael didn’t look at them, his eyes were glued to me. I felt his stare at the side of my face, and for a moment I wanted to shrink back. But then I remembered the way he had talked about his “plus-one” so dismissively. I felt a surge of stubborn heat in my chest.

I turned to Claire with a bright smile.

“You know what?” I said, “I’ve decided. I’ll go with Dante and Silvio. They can fight over who gets to hold my coa.

Dante let out a triumphant “Ha!” and squeezed my shoulder, while Silvio raised his can in a victory toast toward

I kept my attention back at Claire and Maddie, “But you can definitely introduce me to anyone you want there. Actually, please do. I think I’m officially open to… dating.”

If he was going to rewrite the rules we had set in the dark, then I was going to make sure he watched me play the game, too.