Rose’s question of what she thought of him. But there was no
denying it. After seeing him again and for a longer period a time, it was
decidedly undeniable. The guy was a walking wet dream. She still hadn’t gotten
over her luck of having met him the one night she’d decided to go out in search
of a quick release. How in the world that had come full circle to her sitting
here having lunch with his sister-in-law, she still had no idea. Rose still appeared
to be completely unaware of Olivia’s night with Enzo . Yet, here it
seemed she was suggesting Olivia and her brother-in-law might be a good match.
Olivia almost felt guilty about not telling Rose the truth. But
how could she? Instead of fessing up, she ate silently as Rose filled her in
some more about how blindsided Lorenzo had been the night he caught his ex.
Listening intently, Olivia barely remembered to eat until Rose
got up and served herself more food before sitting back down and continuing
with her story. “I’m sure he’s been taking care of his needs since.” Rose’s lip
pulled to the side in a disapproving gesture. “But as far as dating anyone, I
don’t think he has at all. He certainly hasn’t brought anyone around us. Don’t
get me wrong. I’m sure going through something like that was tough.” She shuddered
even more exaggeratedly this time. “I went through some excruciating pain once
upon a time myself with Vince. I’ll have to tell you about it another time, but
mine was different. As hopeless as things felt back then, I held on to the
sliver of hope that mine could somehow be remedied, and thank God it was. But I
sincerely hope it’s not what Enzo’s doing, because I can’t imagine ever
welcoming that bitch back into my home again after what she did to him.”
Smirking, Olivia had to ask. “So is this what you’re doing, Rose
Moreno? Wining and dining me in the hopes of hooking up your brother-in-law
with someone you do like?”
Rose grinned scandalously. “Why, Olivia Romero, I do think you’re
on to me.” She laughed, shaking her head. “No, please don’t think that. The
thought didn’t even occur to me until just this past week. I meant it when I
said I’m in dire need of some adult girl talk. This is my life.” She pointed
around her empty house. “Everyone is working during the day, so my jibber
jabber with Ruby all day is all I have most days.” She squeezed Olivia’s arm
and smiled genuinely. “I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent chatting like today.
But, yes, I’d like nothing more than to see my brother-in-law happy again and
with someone deserving of such a great guy.”
Olivia smiled, feeling flattered, but shrugged. “I don’t think I’d
want to be anyone’s rebound girl. Sounds to me like maybe he’s still not over
his ex.”
“Oh, no, that was one thing he did tell Vince the very day
it happened and again not too long ago,” Rose said, picking up her lemonade. “That
he was over her almost as soon as he found out that she”—Rose leaned in and
whispered as if there were anyone around to hear—“ fucked her ex.”
A laugh escaped Olivia, and she covered her mouth with a napkin.
“I’m serious,” Rose said wide-eyed. “Like I said, he really is a
sweet guy almost all the time, and he’s usually all smiles and a lot of fun to
be around. But this is something he’s fiercely vehement about. He and Vincent
are one and the same when it comes to certain things, and this is one of them. The
only thing that gives me hope that he’s just holding off on getting into any
relationships and not hoping to get back with her is because Vincent said he’d
feel the exact way. He said as much as he loves me, even with us having a baby
now and all, if I ever did something like that, the utter disgust he’d feel for
me would ruin any feelings of love and he could never take me back. So
maybe Lorenzo has no intention of ever getting back with her, and he’s just
waiting. But I think over nine months