Read Online Come Away With Me (The Andrades) by Ruth Cardello - Free Book Online

reflecting the hurt in his eyes.
    The little brunette’s eyes misted over and Julia felt hers do the same. She had no idea what was keeping their families apart, but she would have given anything to help them through something that was obviously tearing at both of them.
    “No, they don’t. They love you. You have no idea how happy they were to see you at Alethea’s engagement party.”
    “I’ve given you the only answer you’ll get from me. Now, please. Go.”
    Wiping away a stray tear, Madison put her hand on the door to open it. “I don’t know why you’re so angry, Gio.”
    “Then you’re the lucky one in this,” Gio said in a n icy tone.
    Looking somewhat deflated, Madison opened the door and left.
    Whatever attraction Julia had felt for Gio was overshadowed by the emotion of the moment. She thought of her own family and how desperately she missed them, and burst out, “You can’t let her go like that.”
    Face tight with anger, Gio didn’t look away from the door. “It’s none of your concern.”
    “She’s pregnant.”
    Turning some of the anger on Julia, Gio growled, “A condition that had no relevance in my decision.”
    Julia threw up both of her hands in the air. “No relevance? You just threw a crying, pregnant woman out of your office.”
    “Enough . I didn’t bring you here for this.”
    As loving as her family was, they called a spade a spade without remorse or hesitation. She’d been raised to appreciate the value of an honest opinion , and New York wasn’t going to change that. The air that had been heavy with anticipation and attraction now crackled with more volatile emotions. “You know what your problem is?”
    His eyes narrowed and he waited.
    “I bet people don’t tell you when you’re behaving badly.” Julia shook her head. “That was wrong. You should call her and apologize. I don’t know what went on with your family, but I can’t believe it was her fault. You shouldn’t take it out on her.”
    For a moment Gio said nothing. “Is that it?”
    No. Julia thought of how much she missed being able to talk to her mother, and that feeling gave her the courage to voice her thoughts. “If you’re lucky enough to have family that loves you enough to chase you and beg you to come to their wedding, you should go. She was right. Whatever you’re holding onto, you could put it aside for one day.”
    “That’s a lot of advice from someone who knows nothing about the situation.” H is eyes were lit with a fire she couldn’t decipher.
    She held his eyes and defended herself. “I know that at the end of the day, family is all that matters. You’re right, though. I don’t know your situation and I don’t know you. Maybe you and I don’t share the same definition of family.”
    Without looking away, he took out his cell phone. He punched in a number, then waited, neither of them moving while it rang. “Madison. I’ve changed my mind. I will be attending the wedding. No, I’m sure my brothers will have the information. Yes, put me down for two.” After listening to response on the other end of the line, Gio ended the call and replaced his phone in his breast pocket.
    A sense of triumph filled Julia , followed by a pang of jealousy as she wondered who he’d be taking to the event.
    “The wedding is in two weeks. We’ll fly out the day before it.”
    “Me?” Julia swayed. “Where is the wedding?”
    “ It’s on an island off the coast of Italy. And, yes, you. You’re the one who thought it was important that I attend.”
    Oh, no, no, no. “I—we can’t do that.”
    “Because?”
    Because Italy means flying somewhere together and I can barely keep my hands off you now. “Because I work for you?” she practically squeaked. “You have a no-dating policy.”
    “An easy enough problem to solve. You’re fired.”
    “You can’t fire me. I need this job.”
    “ Then we have a problem, because I’m not going to the wedding without you.” He walked over until