Home to Me (The Andrades, Book 2) by Ruth Cardello Page A

“Now that is something worth celebrating. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
    As they walked out, Luke said, “You should tell Gio. He’d be happy for you, too.”
    Nick shrugged. “I’m sure he’ll know, now that you do.”
    The both turned when they entered the elevator and stood shoulder to shoulder. Without looking at Nick, Luke said, “No, this time I’m staying out of it. You and Gio need to work out your issues. On your terms. Not mine.”
    “You? Stay out of it? That’s like telling Rena to mind her own business.”
    “Oh, yes, back to Rena. What is going on there?”
    “We’re friends,” Nick said and made a face as he did. “Nothing more.”
     

Chapter Six
     
    Two weeks later, Rena was sitting at her desk reviewing the calendar on her computer when her cell phone rang. Gio was out of the office for the morning, so she answered it without hesitation.
    As soon as she heard the voice that greeted her, she wished she’d taken the time to check caller ID.
    “Rena,” the woman said cheerfully.
    “Maddy, what a surprise. If you’re looking for Gio, he’s out of the office this morning.”
    “Actually, I’m calling to talk to you. It’s a private matter. Do you have a moment?”
    “It’s pretty busy here today. Could I call you—”
    “This will be quick. I promise. I heard that Nick is working there now. Is that true?”
    Rena pushed a pen around on her desk. “I never feel comfortable discussing Cogent business with anyone.”
    “I’m not just anyone, I’m their cousin. Besides, I couldn’t care less about the business side of why he’s there. Have you met his secretary?”
    “I’ve spoken to her on the phone.”
    “Does she seem to like her job more now that Nick is there?”
    Rena picked up the pen and started to doodle on a piece of paper. “I haven’t spoken to her enough to know.”
    “Could you? Speak to her, I mean. It would look weird if I started hanging around Nick’s office, but I have to know how they are getting along. Curiosity is killing me. Luke told me Nick likes her, but he won’t say more than that.”
    Rena pressed so hard on the pen that it tore into the paper. She threw the pen down. “I don’t understand.”
    Maddy said excitedly, “Don’t you think she would be perfect for Nick? She comes from a great family in Connecticut. And she’s drop-dead gorgeous.”
    “Janet is one of your plants?”
    “Not mine, but I don’t care. She applied for a job at Corisi Enterprises. Marie interviewed her and snapped her up, then we pulled a few strings and sent her over to Cogent. Don’t worry, Marie did a full background check on her and her family. Her mother is an elementary school teacher. Her father works as a hospital administrator. Janet put herself through school by working at a fast-food chain. Everyone there loved her. They all say she has a heart of gold. That’s exactly the kind of woman Nick needs. Someone who can love him unconditionally.”
    “Who is Marie?”
    “Mrs. Duhamel, Dominic Corisi’s personal assistant. She practically runs his company. I can’t believe you don’t know her. You would love her. Just don’t mess with her boys. She’s very protective of them.”
    “Maddy, as interesting as this is, I have to get back to work.” And try to forget that Nick likely took her brush-off so well because he’d already moved on to sleeping with his secretary.
    “Don’t hang up. Rena, I know you said you don’t want to get involved, but all you’d have to do is peek in and see how they are together. Janet doesn’t know she’s a plant so she won’t know why you’re there. That’s it. Maybe put in a good word for him to her. Or vice versa. Nothing more than that.”
    Rena looked up at the ceiling. Does someone up there hate me? “I’m sorry, Maddy, I told you. This isn’t something I want to be a part of.”
    “I get it. You have to be discrete. That’s fine. Keep it simple. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    Rena sighed after