7

Gustavo had married my mother just three months after my father was gone.

He was a widower, having lost his wife in a terrible car accident just a few years before my father died. He had one son, who lived out of the house and had already started his own family. I didn’t know the specifics of my mother’s second nuptials, but I knew it had been negotiated like a contract.

But in any case, I liked him.

He was kind, affectionate, and treated my mom well. When I saw them together, they seemed more like friends than man and wife. Maybe that was why their relationship worked so well. My mother wanted a man to take care of her, and Gustavo didn’t want to be lonely.

It could be worse, so I let it be.

We went to the Tuscan Rose together and entered the lobby. Several chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the crystals on fire as the light shone through the prisms. White vases with fresh flowers lined the tables and counters, and mirrors on the wall showed how expansive the room really was. I loved the energy the second I stepped inside, loved the excitement of the guests as they checked in at the front desk. It was impeccably clean, a visual representation of the Romano family name.

“I suggest you start with a concierge position.” Instead of leading me to the back where the offices were located, he stopped in the lobby. “You know so much about this city, and you’re so good with people. It’s a great start.”

I looked up at him in surprise, finding no comfort in the warm look he gave me. He was a tall man, taller than my father had been, and his dark skin showed his exotic origins. He wore eyeglasses on the bridge of his nose. In conversation, he was a polite and restrained man, but when his eyes lit up with warmth, he was a whole new person. “I’m not interested in the concierge position. I was hoping to shadow you, to look at the bookkeeping, and take on whatever other managerial positions I can assist with.”

His smile never faded. “I realize that, but—”

“Don’t listen to my mother. I know how she feels about this, but this is my legacy, and I intend to hold on to it.” I wouldn’t get married just to have another man control my company. I didn’t need anyone’s assistance but my own.

His smile slowly faded. “This is her hotel, Sofia. I don’t have a lot of say in the matter.”

“You obviously do if you’re running it.” I stood my ground and refused to back down. I would only get what I wanted in life if I fought for it. It didn’t make sense that my mother’s second husband got to manage what belonged to our family. It should either be my mother or me.

He sighed as he lowered his gaze. “I was under the impression you needed money.”

“Yes. I’ve got to move out as quickly as possible.”

He chuckled. “I can imagine. But I can’t offer you a position as a manager or anything of that nature. You had excellent marks at university, but experience is more important in an occupation like this. You’ll have to start at the bottom.”

“I never said I had a problem with that.” I didn’t expect to be given everything just because of my last name, but I did expect the chance to prove my worthiness. “I’ll take the concierge position if you teach me everything about running this hotel. I can work with you in the morning and take the concierge position in the evenings.”

“You mean business, don’t you?”

“Always.” I placed one hand on my hip, looking up at my stepfather without budging an inch. I refused to let this go without at least fighting for it. Maybe the concierge job would pay enough to cover my rent, and with enough time, I would prove to my stepfather and mother that I was capable of taking over when the time was right.

Gustavo was the man in the relationship, but he possessed much more compassion than she ever did. He didn’t seem to harbor the same sexist viewpoint she did. “Alright. Let’s keep this between us—for now.”

I moved into his chest and hugged him. “Thank you, Gustavo. It means so much to me.”