Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“God, Enrique’s going to be so pissed,” I say, glancing out the window.
“Yeah, which is why it’s imperative you don’t go anywhere without me. And when we do go out, you always stay with me.”
“I know.” I reach across the center console and squeeze his hand. “Thank you for everything. My brother is lucky to have a best friend like you.”
A few minutes later, we arrive at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant called Pasquale’s. The outside has a cute red-white-and-green awning, and the brick walls remind me of pictures of the small towns in Italy I’ve seen.
When we step onto the sidewalk, a few men who are milling about nod respectfully to Matteo, telling me he frequents this place often.
Matteo opens the door for me, and when I walk inside, Italian music is playing, and the restaurant looks like we just stepped into Italy.
“This place is adorable,” I tell him.
“Really?”
“Can you not see it? I’ve never been to Italy—which is probably a crime in and of itself since my family is Italian—but this is how all the pictures that my mom and dad used to show me looked.”
Matteo nods once, but for some reason, the carefree demeanor I felt from him just a moment ago is gone. I don’t know what I said, but before I can ask, an older woman comes barreling over to give Matteo a hug. She speaks to him in Italian, and he responds. I understand enough Italian from hearing my parents speak it, but since he’s Russian and speaks the language, I’m surprised he also knows Italian.
“Daniella,” the woman says, embracing me in a hug. “It’s been so many years. Your brother talks about you so much. And your parents …” She sniffles. “Te sei bellisima, just like your mama.”
“You knew my mom?” I whisper.
“Oh, yes. You were so little when you came here, and then they kept you away.” She tsks. “But I’m so happy you’re here now.”
“Thank you.”
She and Matteo talk for another minute—her asking about Lorenzo and Matteo promising her that he’s okay. And then she guides us to our table.
“It smells so good in here,” I tell him, breathing in the garlic and wine scent.
“You wouldn’t rather be somewhere else? Like the country club? This place is kind of old …”
I scrunch my nose up in confusion. “Is that where you wanted to go? I mean, we can go if you want, but the food smells incredible, and it looks cute, not old. I wish I could remember who that woman was, but she’s so sweet.”
Matteo nods slowly. “No. We can stay here.”
“Good.” I grin, opening the menu. “Because I’ve been to the country club too many damn times and it does nothing for me.”
20
Matteo
I got dressed up, planning to take her to the North Harbor Point Country Club for dinner. It’s the go-to place in town. But at the last second, I changed my mind and drove to Pasquale’s. I thought she’d throw a fit—the way many other women have in the past. It’s small and old, and rather than a high-class meal, you get real Italian food. I’d take Pasquale’s over any of those fancy, overpriced restaurants any day, but most women would disagree.
But Dani proved to be different. Not only did she love the ambiance, but she devoured her food, talking animatedly with the server and people who walked by. She took a few pictures of the walls and made me promise to bring her back again.
I’d brought her there because the shit I was feeling for her was too raw, too real, and I thought by bringing her to Pasquale’s, it would help knock it down a peg, but instead, it only strengthened my feelings for her. And now, I’m fucked.
Because I want her.
Despite her age.
Despite her being my best friend’s sister.
I want Daniella Russo.
But I can’t have her.
“Thank you for dinner,” Dani says when we step into the condo a few hours later. “I had a really good time.”
She smiles warmly at me, and I need to get away. She wasn’t supposed to like dinner. She was supposed to bitch that she’d dressed up for nothing. Demand that I take her somewhere nicer, more expensive. But it shouldn’t surprise me. Dani never does what I expect.
“I’m going to change. Want to watch another episode of TVD?”
Her big, bright green eyes lock with mine, and something in my gut churns.
“I can’t. I’m going out with some friends tonight … to celebrate.”
Her features fall, and as much as I feel like a dick, I know it’s the right thing to do. We’re getting too close, and I need to draw the line.
“Oh, okay. I hope you have a good time,” she says, her tone laced with disappointment.
After changing into my regular clothes, I head to my brother’s place. I voice-text him on the way so he knows I’m coming over, and when I get there, Peyton opens the door.