Right. I’d forgotten that we had our second floral design lesson after dinner.
“Wait, Juniper, you saidourteam. I thought you were just helping Rowan teach Gia and me?”
Juniper snorted. “After that lesson, I don’t think I have a choice. You and Rowan need a full-time referee. I told Row I’m officially doing the Bloom with y’all.” She paused. “That is, if it’s okay with you.”
I grinned. “Of course it’s okay with me. Two of my friends on the team is better than one.”
Speaking of friends on the team, I needed to find a minute alone with Gia before that to talk to her, because otherwise? Awkward city. I didn’t know if Matteo had told her what happened last night. Of course when I couldn’t sleep last night, I’d carried out step one of getting over an awful breakup—I blocked him on all channels. I did snoop on his Insta first, and thankfully he didn’t mention me. Which was good. He’d be nuts to take any of this out on me, because I could, andwould, ruin him. Still. I hated that this was how this relationship had ended.
When I got home, I found Gia sunning on one of the lounge chairs outside the tiny house. “Hey, G,” I said.
“Oh, hey, T. How’s it going?” Her voice was a bit tight. Forced. No doubt she’d talked to Matteo.
I shrugged. “Been better. I take it you’ve checked in with your cousin?”
She cringed. “Yeah, he texted me. I can’t believe you broke up. You okay?”
I had mostly kept Matteo off my mind all day, but every once in a while, I was hit with a wave of shame, anger, and hurt. “I’m not great, but hanging in there,” I said.
“You know what part I don’t get? He came all this way to get those pictures in your clothes. What a waste of time.” She shook her head.
Good. I sighed as I plopped on the chair next to her. Gia understood how terrible it was that he had wasted my entire day. “It wasn’t how I expected the night to go, that’s for sure,” I said.
Gia turned to look at me. “So that whole thing was just, like...spur of the moment?”
“I don’t know. He just—”
“Actually,” she interrupted. “Let’s justnottalk about it. He’s family, and I think it’s best if I just, you know, don’t get involved here.” She paused for a moment. “Hey, now that you won’t have Matteo modeling your menswear, you want me to ask Cameron if he’ll do it? He’s got such a smoking-hot hockey body. You could put me and him in coordinating outfits like you and Matteo used to do.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I rubbed my palm. “I’m glad we’re not going to let this come between us, G. I don’t think I could handle losing my friend, too.”
“Of course, Tahira. You’re my girl, and I’m always sistas before mistas.” She waved her hand. “It’s totally fine. You probably won’t be able to come to my nona’s for dinner anymore, though, because they’ll never approve of anyone who dumps a Borroni, but—”
“Wait, G. They won’t approve of me dumping a cheater?”
Gia suddenly sat up straight. “Hold up.Cheater?Who’s a cheater?”
I raised a brow. “Um, your cousin’s a cheater? That’s why I dumped him?”
Gia stared at me, blinking, then picked up her phone. “That’s not what he said...,” she muttered, furiously typing.
“He’s been seeing some chick,” I said. “Apparently, she takes him to project launches. He only told me because she’s going to be on his Insta for this launch on Wednesday. He didn’t tell you about Alyssa?”
Gia kept texting for a few seconds, then looked at me. “He’s not even denying it. Dipshit.” She focused back on her phone. “Don’t you worry—I’m blasting it on the family WhatsApp. I’ll be shocked if he’s still walking by morning.”
I squeezed my lips together, trying not to laugh.
“I’m so sorry, Tahira. I shouldn’t have automatically believed him.” She leaned over to hug me, then cringed at her phone. “Ooh, the aunts arepissed. This is going to be good. My folks are furious, too. They’realways Team Tahira. Borronis will not tolerate cheating. Oh, crap—Nona’s getting involved. I’m going to peace out for a while.” She put her phone down. “Don’t worry, my family’s got this.”
I laughed. “G, you’re awesome. So is your family.”
“You and me, we’re good, then, right?”
“Of course—we’re always good,” I said. We hugged again.
“Yay! Because, ugh, when I thought you’d dumped him for no reason? I wasn’t sure how I was going to stay friends with you.” Gia smiled widely. “That would have sucked! I mean, we’ve been friends so long. You’re the best! Plus, like, half my Instagram traffic is because of you!” She laughed. “Anyway, Cameron told me about this awesome spot we can go for pictures; there’s apparently a covered bridge just outside town.”
“Cameron and you are getting close.”
