“Yes. What did you study?”
“What else? Business administration, with a minor in tourism and hospitality.” He grimaced. “You can’t be the Giannis heir without knowing how to run the corporation.”
She nodded, sensing his underlying bitterness. “What did you want to major in?”
Aronne’s gaze locked with hers, and she thought she saw a hint of admiration. “Perceptive, aren’t you? In truth, I don’t know, but it wasn’t what I ended up taking.”
“Maybe you can go back once you figure it out.”
His harsh laugh made her frown. “You’re a bit naïve, Molly. Once I’m at the helm, I’m stuck there.”
“Cristiano—” She tried to suggest.
He gave her a sardonic look. “Can you imagine Cristiano in a position of authority? He’s a great guy, but responsibility isn’t his strong point.”
Molly wet her lips, searching for a diplomatic answer. Instead, she blurted out, “He’ll be a perfect match for Margot.”
Aronne frowned. “I disagree. They are too young to get engaged, let alone married.”
“She’s nineteen, and he’s twenty.”
He rolled his eyes. “Honestly, would you have been ready to get married at nineteen?”
Her palms dampened, and she discreetly pressed them against the sapphire-blue dress. “I never gave it a thought.” That was true. Until this second, it had never occurred to her to wonder if she’d want to get married at nineteen. “Probably not.”
“Exactly. Neither will listen to sense.” He lifted his glass in a mocking salute. “Here’s to their sixty-percent chance of divorce.”
A startled giggle escaped her, and she lifted her own glass, swallowing the contents in one gulp. It burned down her throat, and she coughed just a little, but didn’t protest when he refilled her glass again. She lifted it. “How about toasting to the million-dollar wedding she’s planning?”
“To ridiculous excess,” he agreed. They drank before he replenished their glasses again. “Let’s not forget their luxury villa in Italy my parents plan to give them as a wedding gift.”
She blinked. “I had no idea.”
He shrugged. “It’s a surprise.” The words came out with a little bit of a slur, making her wonder how many he’d had before their impromptu get-together in the study.
“That explains the yacht my aunt and uncle are giving them.” She rolled her eyes. “They can sail to their villa in their new yacht and enjoy a few months of wedded bliss before reality catches up.”
“Reality calls for another toast.” They drank another round.
After her fourth whiskey, she was feeling a bit giddy. “Here’s to the wedding night. Surprise, Cristiano,” she said with a giggle.
His brow wrinkled, and his lip curled. “What do you mean?”
“I think he’s expecting something my sister can’t deliver.” She reached for the bottle and topped off her glass before leaning forward to fill his. Her balance was a little off, and she was grateful for his steadying hand. “Thanks.”
“Is your sister not a virgin?”
Molly snorted. “Hardly. I couldn’t care less, but I know how it matters to your family.”
Aronne shrugged. “As you say, I couldn’t care less, but I agree Papa will be furious if Cristiano ever tells him.”
“Of course. It’s okay for his sons to whore around, but they have to find a virgin to be a suitable bride.” Molly knew the whiskey had loosened her tongue, but couldn’t call back the indiscreet words.
He stared at the contents of his glass, brooding. “It’s an unfair double standard, I agree, but try to understand my parents’ point-of-view. They both grew up in Italy and immigrated here after their marriage, so their traditional values still mean a lot to them.”
She arched a brow. “I guess that makes sense. I just hope Cristiano doesn’t share the same view, or their sixty-percent chance will
“What else? Business administration, with a minor in tourism and hospitality.” He grimaced. “You can’t be the Giannis heir without knowing how to run the corporation.”
She nodded, sensing his underlying bitterness. “What did you want to major in?”
Aronne’s gaze locked with hers, and she thought she saw a hint of admiration. “Perceptive, aren’t you? In truth, I don’t know, but it wasn’t what I ended up taking.”
“Maybe you can go back once you figure it out.”
His harsh laugh made her frown. “You’re a bit naïve, Molly. Once I’m at the helm, I’m stuck there.”
“Cristiano—” She tried to suggest.
He gave her a sardonic look. “Can you imagine Cristiano in a position of authority? He’s a great guy, but responsibility isn’t his strong point.”
Molly wet her lips, searching for a diplomatic answer. Instead, she blurted out, “He’ll be a perfect match for Margot.”
Aronne frowned. “I disagree. They are too young to get engaged, let alone married.”
“She’s nineteen, and he’s twenty.”
He rolled his eyes. “Honestly, would you have been ready to get married at nineteen?”
Her palms dampened, and she discreetly pressed them against the sapphire-blue dress. “I never gave it a thought.” That was true. Until this second, it had never occurred to her to wonder if she’d want to get married at nineteen. “Probably not.”
“Exactly. Neither will listen to sense.” He lifted his glass in a mocking salute. “Here’s to their sixty-percent chance of divorce.”
A startled giggle escaped her, and she lifted her own glass, swallowing the contents in one gulp. It burned down her throat, and she coughed just a little, but didn’t protest when he refilled her glass again. She lifted it. “How about toasting to the million-dollar wedding she’s planning?”
“To ridiculous excess,” he agreed. They drank before he replenished their glasses again. “Let’s not forget their luxury villa in Italy my parents plan to give them as a wedding gift.”
She blinked. “I had no idea.”
He shrugged. “It’s a surprise.” The words came out with a little bit of a slur, making her wonder how many he’d had before their impromptu get-together in the study.
“That explains the yacht my aunt and uncle are giving them.” She rolled her eyes. “They can sail to their villa in their new yacht and enjoy a few months of wedded bliss before reality catches up.”
“Reality calls for another toast.” They drank another round.
After her fourth whiskey, she was feeling a bit giddy. “Here’s to the wedding night. Surprise, Cristiano,” she said with a giggle.
His brow wrinkled, and his lip curled. “What do you mean?”
“I think he’s expecting something my sister can’t deliver.” She reached for the bottle and topped off her glass before leaning forward to fill his. Her balance was a little off, and she was grateful for his steadying hand. “Thanks.”
“Is your sister not a virgin?”
Molly snorted. “Hardly. I couldn’t care less, but I know how it matters to your family.”
Aronne shrugged. “As you say, I couldn’t care less, but I agree Papa will be furious if Cristiano ever tells him.”
“Of course. It’s okay for his sons to whore around, but they have to find a virgin to be a suitable bride.” Molly knew the whiskey had loosened her tongue, but couldn’t call back the indiscreet words.
He stared at the contents of his glass, brooding. “It’s an unfair double standard, I agree, but try to understand my parents’ point-of-view. They both grew up in Italy and immigrated here after their marriage, so their traditional values still mean a lot to them.”
She arched a brow. “I guess that makes sense. I just hope Cristiano doesn’t share the same view, or their sixty-percent chance will
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