by C. M. Steele
Christmas with the Boss
The Fiore Family
C.M. Steele
Copyrighted © 2021
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without written expressed permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.
Cover design: Sarah Kil Creative Studio
The use of actors, artists, movies, TV shows and song titles/lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as advertisement. Trademark names are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.
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Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
About the Author
Fabio: She’s the sister of my favorite chef, but after speaking to her for the first time, I feel something I’ve never felt for her twin. There’s only one problem—she believes the tabloid news that has spread about me and the celebrity customers I serve. How can I prove to her that she’s the only one for me?
Anabelle: Fabio Fiore is hotter in person than I was prepared for. When we cooked up the plan to get my sister and his brother together, I never expected to be the one falling madly in love. Still, I’m not the next-flavor-of-the-month kind of girl, but can I ignore him when he turns his charm on me?
Chapter One
Anabelle
“If you don’t move, you’re going to be late.” Isabelle stands in my bedroom doorway with her arms folded over her chest.
I check my phone, and I have about forty minutes until I’m supposed to meet him. “I have another fifteen minutes before I have to run out of here.”
“You’re stalling.”
“I’m not. Well, at least not any more than usual. You know how I hate going out of the house in the cold.”
“Bullshit. You like the snow.” She’s wearing a pair of duck lips at my lie.
“To play in it and look at it, but not to drive in this shit.” I truly hate driving in snow because it’s too scary for me.
“Um…it hasn’t snowed in three days. The streets are dry.”
Yeah, I’m running out of excuses. I sit on my bed and slip on my cute black heels. I’m sure as hell going to be freezing from the house to the car, but that’s the price of beauty, I suppose. Although, I could wear my other shoes until I get there. In fact, that’s exactly what I’m going to do, I think to myself, sliding off my heels and then slipping on a pair of sneakers over my nylons.
“Are you going to be okay with me going out?” I ask her.
“Of course I’m going to be fine. I’m not crippled, and I have everything I need pretty much at arm’s length once I plop my ass on the sofa. I do hope you plan on changing your shoes before you pull up to the restaurant. There will be a valet there to take the vehicle for you.”
“I forgot about that. Still, I’ll pull over the block before and slip the heels on.”
“Smart move.”
I stand and pack a small bag containing my heels and then step into the bathroom to finish getting ready.
Tonight, I have my first date in forever. It’s crazy that I’m even considering this, but after the Instagram post I saw two days ago, my heart had no problem accepting the date. Fabio Fiore, Isabelle’s boss at the restaurant thanked the surgeon with a free dinner at Fiore’s, so the doctor called asking if I’d like to have dinner with him. Isabelle’s days away from returning to work after mending faster than expected which thrills everyone, including her hot, playboy boss.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask again as I finish swiping my lipstick over my bottom lip. I hate leaving her alone when she’s already bored out of her mind. It’s been five weeks since she had surgery on her shoulder, and she’s itching to go back to work.
“Girl, you need to go out. He’s hot, and a surgeon. Not to mention that even after all these weeks, he hasn’t forgotten you.” He’s all of those things, and yet, I’m not attracted to him like that. No, my body and heart pound out of control for an unavailable bad boy. Maybe if I remind myself that Fabio, just got engaged, then I’ll be able to enjoy my date with John.
Despite the years Isabelle has worked with Fabio, he and I haven’t met in person. In fact, it’s only in the past two days that we’ve communicated via email about working together. Of course, he asks how his star employee is doing after her shoulder surgery before we go back and forth on what he’s looking for.
She takes my hand and drags me out of my room and toward the front door.
“Yeah, but maybe he’s only interested in seeing both of us naked,” I say, hoping to talk myself out of this date with Dr. John Malcolm, a prominent surgeon with everything going for him.
“He worked on my shoulder. The nurses had me prepped for the surgery, so he didn’t see any of my bits. You’re just making excuses so you can chicken out.”
“Okay, but I’m supposed to finish my mock-ups and website presentation for Fabio in two days,” I remind her, even though I know it won’t take me long since I have three options already completed.
“Well, that’s tomorrow. Go out tonight and enjoy Andre’s cooking, and maybe consider it research for the designs Fabio requested. When you get home, you can work and tell me how it went.”
“Fine.” I roll my eyes and give her a kiss on the cheek before one more twirl.
“You look incredible.” I’m dressed completely different from my usual attire. I’m a yoga pants with a ribbed tank and a thin pullover sweater or hoodie kind of girl. Tonight, I’m wearing a beautiful gown that goes to my feet with a pretty long slit up my thigh.
“You’re right. I look good,” I say, staring in the mirror near the front door for last-minute fixes. I’ve put my long hair up into a nice bun because it was the easiest style and it shows off my slender neck, and finished the look off with a very subtle hint of makeup and a thin gold necklace with a heart charm. Honestly, this was all Isabelle’s idea, but I pull it off nicely.
“Have a good time, and if the boss man is there, tell him you’re off the clock.” She gives me a wink, but an overwhelming sense of panic surges through me.
“Would he really be there?” I ask, voice shaking involuntarily.
“Yeah, he’s always at one of his restaurants. He rarely takes a day off.” I roll my eyes and then slip on my nearly floor-length wool coat—because this dress deserves a pretty coat, not so much a functional one like I normally wear.
“Don’t forget we’re doing some Christmas decorating before you go back to work,” I remind her. It’s supposed to be a big deal tomorrow because we only have two weeks until
Christmas. It used to be my favorite holiday, full of love, cheer, pretty decorations, and of course, tons of presents. Gifts aren’t the same when you’re an adult. It’s like the magic fades, but I know that if Isabelle or I ever have kids, that magic will return.
“I haven’t forgotten. I’ve got nothing else to do most days. I could have this place decorated…” she checks her imaginary watch and continues “…like yesterday if you’d let me do anything by myself.”
“Remember, you’re the one anxious to get back to your career.” She didn’t want the surgery because she feared Fabio would replace her, but it’s quite the opposite. He can’t wait for her to get better and return, even going so far as to pay for the surgery outright.
“True,” she sighs, shoulders dropping.
I hate how depressed she sounds, but I don’t trust her not to test her limits, and there’s no one here to watch her. “Don’t do too much tonight.”
“I’m not. I have a book to read.” She waves the latest thriller she picked up this morning during our little trip to Barnes & Noble.
“Love you,” I say, scooping up my keys off the rack by the door.
“Love you too.” I wave at Isabelle as I walk out the front door and hop into my car. Since he has to work tonight, I decided it was best I drove myself.
When I arrive at the restaurant, a valet comes around and holds my door. I quickly change shoes, earning a smile from him. “It’s much easier to drive without heels on.”
“And definitely much warmer,” he adds.
A second valet escorts me inside. In the back of the middle tables, Fabio’s sitting across from John. I’m stunned, stopping in my tracks. Fabio packs a punch without a word. They both do, but they’re night and day: John is blond hair and blue-eyed, while Fabio’s eyes and hair are dark.
I fix my expression and hold my head up as I make my way to the table.
“Ah—there she is.” They both look my way. John smiles broadly, but Fabio’s face expresses pure shock and then it flattens to anger.
“Am I late?” I ask, wondering why they’re sitting together.
John stands and kisses my cheek. Wow, we don’t know each other like that, and he’s acting like he’s marking his territory. I want to tell him to back off, but if I’m honest, there’s something about Fabio that I can’t get out of my head. “Not at all, darling. I didn’t want you to sit around all alone, so I decided to come a bit earlier. We were just talking.” Okay. He’s laying on the charm thick, but it doesn’t upset me.
“Aren’t you supposed to be working?” Fabio says, standing and glaring at me. I scowl at him, knowing damn well that he’s got to be confused—or could he really believe that I’m supposed to be on his schedule and not mine?
“This isn’t Isabelle—this is her lovely twin, Anabelle,” he informs Fabio.
He snarls, “I know who she is. She’s supposed to have a meeting with me tomorrow.”
“Actually, our meeting is for Monday afternoon, Mr. Fiore. This is my free time. You’ll have your requests met then.”
A waiter approaches Fabio and whispers something in his ear. Fabio says, “Yes, you’re right. Please excuse me. Have a good night.” He walks away, but I have a feeling he’s not happy. Is it because he doesn’t like his employees not working like dogs, or could the player be jealous? It’s got to be the former because he’s engaged to that Instagram model who doesn’t even touch her food when she eats here.
John steps behind me and helps me remove my coat. “Wow, you look incredible.” As he says those words, my eyes dart up to see Fabio watching me intently. No, actually he’s watching John’s hands that linger on my shoulders a bit longer than acceptable.
“Funny, that’s the same thing Isabelle said when I left,” I say with a smile, turning slightly so that he’s no longer touching me.
“There’s no other word for it. Please, sit.” I nod and sit on the chair that Fabio just vacated, and it’s still warm. A filthy thought comes to mind, and I push it away as John scoots in my chair and then takes the seat across from me. Focus on your date, Anabelle.
“I’m sorry about my boss. He can be demanding,” I apologize for Fabio’s behavior.
“I wasn’t aware you were working here.” He arches his brow, like it bothers him to believe I would be a server or something.
“I don’t. I don’t believe my sister mentioned it, but I own a graphic design company and last week Mr. Fiore inquired about using my services.” I’m still taken aback by Fabio’s reaction. It was overboard.
“Oh. I didn’t know you were not only beautiful, but talented and ambitious.” John smiles as if genuinely pleased. His expression changes as he looks over to the corner of the room and then back toward me. “I don’t believe those are the only services he’s interested in.”
“Considering he’s always wining and dining beautiful people, I doubt he’s interested in anything other than business when it comes to me. After all, my sister and I are identical, and he hasn’t put the moves on her.” It’s true, as far as I know. Isabelle has never mentioned any interest or moves made by Fabio in the many years she’s worked for him.
“Maybe to the general public, but I can see the difference between you two. Not that your sister isn’t beautiful as well, but there’s something in your eyes that drew my attention,” he says, taking a drink of water. Needing to work, he has to stay sober. I do the same thing because my mouth is suddenly dry.
“I believe those were tears.” I’d been emotional and happy when my sister got out of surgery just fine. I even threw my arms around the doctor here.
“And a sense of humor.” We both laugh slightly, and I see why women fall all over this man too. He’s got a killer smile, and yet I don’t see any future with him. I almost want to end the night now, but I don’t want to be a bitch since he went out of his way to take me out.
The waiter that interrupted Fabio earlier arrives at our table, taking our drink orders—we both stick with more water with lemon.
“Have you ever eaten here before?” he asks, his eyes trained on mine over the menu.
“Just what Isabelle brings me home in a doggie bag.” I wink.
“This is a first for me. Any recommendations?”
“It depends. When my sister’s cooking, I’d say anything on the menu would be great, but I don’t know who the chef is tonight.” I glance over the menu, seeing that they don’t really need an update, but businesses are told they should refresh their brands from time to time.
“That is a shame. I hear she’s fabulous when it comes to the kitchen.”
I nod, because Isabelle is the best I’ve ever had cook for me. “She’s amazing, and I’m sure Fabio can’t wait to have her back.” I rub my neck, feeling a tingling sensation. My stomach becomes uneasy, but I take a drink of water and relax.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to use the ladies’ room.”
“Absolutely.”
There’s tension in John’s shoulders, and I wonder if he regrets going out with me tonight. I excuse myself because I could swear that Fabio was staring at the back of my head the entire time. I look around the room to find the sign for the restroom and spot Fabio’s eyes directly on me. “It’s that way.”
“Is it hidden?” I ask John.
“For the most part, yes. I had to wash my hands when I got here, and I had to ask the hostess.”
“Good, so I don’t feel like a total spazz.”
“Anything for you.” He winks and I walk, feeling slightly better about our date, although there’s another part of me that’s completely torn because I want to be sitting with Fabio. I shouldn’t, but I do.
As soon as I enter the bathroom, I head to the sink and check out my reflection. I knew this night wouldn’t be good, but damn, this sucks so far. John’s a wonderful guy who I should be grateful to get to know, but all I can think about is Fabio and why he’s being strange. Fabio’s acting like a disgruntled lover, and John’s being a gentleman about it. So w
hy do I feel so guilty?
I brush my fingers over the loose strands of hair and take a deep breath. I shoot a text message to Isabelle. Things aren’t going well. I should have canceled.
Call me.
“What’s going on, Ana?”
“John’s great, but I feel like a bitch for even saying yes because I don’t see any future with him.”
“You don’t need a future, just the present.”
“It’s more than that. Fabio’s here, and lets just say he’s actually pissed off that I’m here. It’s so freaking weird.”
“And he knows it’s you and not me?”
“Yes. He’s made it clear that he knows, but he’s acting like my time is his.”
“Strange. That’s not like Fabio at all. I can talk to him if you want.”
“No. God, no. I’m just going to finish the evening with John and see what happens.”
“Fine. Maybe something happened in Fabio’s day or something.”
“Well, when I came in, he was sitting at the table talking to John in a friendly conversation, but then something happened.”
“Fabio’s a gentleman, and maybe John noticed how sexy you looked and commented something that would piss Fabio off.” Then I remember that he’s been overly friendly with me, as if this isn’t our first date.
“Maybe. Either way, I’m ready to call it a night.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. Talk to you later.” I end the call, tuck my phone in my purse, and then reapply my lipstick. With another deep breath, I straighten my spine and head out of the bathroom. I can’t see my table yet, so I creep around the corner and see Fabio and John arguing about something, and then John answers his phone. It’s got to be something that has nothing to do with me. I wait until he gets off the phone to enter the dining area.
Fabio’s eyes reach me first, roaming over my body with disgust on his face. Wow, I can’t… Breathe. He doesn’t matter. I might say that internally, but I honestly feel like crying. So the fight is probably about me and how I’m not worthy enough for John. He’s a doctor, after all, but why does Fabio care? Why does he hate me that much?