Just For Her: A Cerasino Family Novella (Cerasino Family Novellas Book 3)

by Abbie Zanders

  “Stella,” I said simply.

  They gaped at me in disbelief.

  “Stella? As in Paul’s assistant, Stella?” Gina asked.

  “Former assistant,” I corrected. “And yes.”

  Together, Paul and I proceeded to relay what we’d figured out.

  Those chivers I’d been feeling? Those had come from Stella stalking me. Apparently, she didn’t like the time and attention he had been giving me and blamed me for Paul letting her go.

  She used the extra keys she’d had made and snuck into the office at night, snooping around. She found the case file I’d made, and that was how she knew about Caleb. She’d thought that by contacting him, she’d get rid of me and clear the path for her to come back to Paul.

  “That’s some Fatal Attraction shit right there,” Dom said, earning himself a smack in the back of the head. “Sorry, Ma.”

  Gina pointed her fork at Paul. “I knew there was something wrong with her, but Mr. Innocent Until Proven Guilty here didn’t believe me.”

  I felt more than saw Paul’s anguish and rose to his defense. Once we’d put the pieces together, he’d blamed himself for not seeing the warning signs and doing something earlier.

  “Don’t blame Paul. Crazy is easier to see when you’re on the outside, looking in. Caleb fooled Miriam for years by making her believe that he was ‘misunderstood.’ And Paul believed Stella really wanted to make something better of herself.”

  He squeezed my thigh beneath the table while Mama C herself shot me a look of approval.

  “So, what happens now? Are you going to press charges?” That from Sofia.

  “It’s something we’re not ruling out,” Paul said carefully. “Stella’s gone to stay with her mom in New Jersey. We’ve informed Stella’s attorney that we strongly recommend counseling and have agreed not to pursue further legal action at this time as long as Stella abides by the restraining order.”

  “And Caleb?”

  “There’s no doubt he’ll be convicted and serve some serious time.”

  People started getting up shortly after that. I followed suit, picking up my plate and carrying it back to the kitchen. I loved how everyone pitched in without question.

  What I loved even more? Seeing my super-hot boyfriend rolling up his sleeves and tying an apron around his waist. I imagined him wearing that apron—and only that apron—while whipping up something amazing in his—our—apartment. He was an incredible cook, which was good, because I was definitely more of a frozen-entrée kind of girl.

  And, yes, I’d moved into Paul’s apartment. I knew it seemed quick, but it made perfect sense. Miriam needed her own space, and it hadn’t seemed practical for me to get my own place when Paul had an extra bedroom just sitting there, unused.

  One thing about Paul and me, we were practical.

  Another thing? Beneath our cool, professional exteriors, we were both extremely passionate people. Let’s just say that when Paul was working overtime these days, it wasn’t at the office.

  I was perfectly okay with that. Spoiler alert: that extra bedroom was still unused.

  “Do you think you could take one of those aprons home with you?” I whispered in his ear.

  Epilogue: Paulie

  I looked down at Ally, her eyes bright with a look I’d become extremely familiar with. I immediately felt my Italian blood beginning to heat.

  “I think that can be arranged.”

  She grinned wickedly and moved away to help Haven with something. I couldn’t help but notice the sexy sway of her hips as she did so. I was definitely taking one of these aprons back with me.

  “I tol-a you,” my grandfather said smugly.

  “Si, you did. I’ll never doubt you again.”

  Satisfied, he patted my back and walked away.

  I had to say, my life had definitely taken a turn for the better since Allison Kearney walked into that elevator. She really was my perfect match. Not only was she a paragon among paralegals, but she’d also managed to capture my heart and soul. She challenged me at every turn and kept me on my toes.

  I loved every minute of it.

  I was still working on convincing her to go for her law degree. I’d already decided I wanted her to be my partner in life. Why not my business too? Cerasino & Cerasino sounded pretty good, I thought.

  So, what was the secret to her heart, you might ask? It was simple really. What Allison wanted more than anything else was ... to be appreciated.

  Not because she wanted praise or accolades, but because she wanted someone to care about her as much as she cared about them.

  For me, that was easy. She had quickly become the center of my universe, and I loved finding ways to let her know that each and every day. How? By cooking her delicious meals. Rewarding her efforts at the office by occasionally pulling her into the storage room and reminding her how sexy I found those pencil skirts she wore.

  But the thing she seemed to like most was when I held her in my arms at night and whispered how my heart now beat just for her.

  Maybe I was kind of a romantic after all.

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  In the meantime, you might want to check out my Covendale series. Begin your journey with Five Minute Man. Read on for a preview or click HERE to buy now.

  Ready for Adam & Holly?

  Check out this excerpt from Five Minute Man, book 1 in the Covendale series...

  Adam sat back in the corner of his booth seat as the petite brunette walked by. Again, she didn’t even look his way. He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed. Despite that, he couldn’t help appreciating the sweet curve of her backside, or the way her hair hung in loose, natural waves halfway down her back.

  “Brandon,” he heard the other woman whisper from behind him. For once, Adam was profoundly grateful for his acute auditory senses.

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Gah, do you have to call me ma’am? I’m not that old, you know. Anyway, do you happen to know the guy who was sitting behind us when we came in? You were talking to him before.”

  “Yeah, he’s my uncle.”

  Adam cursed under his breath and considered changing the locks to his house before Brandon finished his shift. Emergency locksmith service was expensive, but it would be worth it.

  “Does he live around here?”

  “He does.”

  Adam pulled out his phone and started googling local locksmiths.

  “Is he married?”

  “No.”

  Adam scrolled through his choices.

  “Do you see him often?”

  “Yes.”

  “Could you ...? I mean, would you give him this?”

  Adam paused, his curiosity getting the better of him for a brief moment. What was she giving him? A card? A number?

  “Will you be there?”

  Not a card or a number then. An event of some sort?

  “Yes.”

  “Then I will definitely pass this along.”

  Adam stared at his phone, his finger poised over the call icon. If he called the locksmith now, the woman would hear his voice and realize he was still here. He would just have to wait until he got outside.

  When Brandon walked away to ring up their check, Adam left enough to cover his bill and tip on the table before he slipped quietly out of the booth, heading for the exit. This evening had been entertaining, but now he felt the urgent need to flee. He did not want to be sitting there when the women left. The blonde might try to talk to him, maybe ask him out, and he would panic. He never knew what to say when that happened. He didn’t want to be rude, but he simply didn’t like when a woman took the initiative. Yeah, he knew it wasn’t politically correct, but he was an old-fashioned kind of guy. Flirting was okay; that was how he knew a woman was interested. If there was going to be any asking, though, he wanted to be the one doing it.

  Keeping his eyes focused on the Exi
t sign, he rounded the corner and felt an instant impact from his chest down. He looked down just in time to see the little brunette falling backward.

  “Ah, fucking-A,” she murmured before she seemed able to help herself, wincing as she started to pull herself up.

  The words were so shocking coming out of that pretty little mouth that, for a moment, Adam was too stunned to say anything. By the time he held out his hand and opened his mouth to apologize, she was already back on her feet.

  “Sorry about that,” she said. Her voice was back to being low-pitched and musical, but her eyes were calling him all sorts of nasty names.

  “Totally my fault,” he managed, his throat suddenly dry. Hell, she was cute. Big green eyes, pert little nose, little or no makeup. Naturally pretty. “Are you hurt?” He reached out to steady her, but she stepped back in a clear message.

  “No, just my pride. And my ass.”

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