I pressed a kiss to her temple without thinking. “I’ll tell you everything you want.”
And I meant it. All of it. Every dark corner, every locked room.
She pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. “Let’s go home.”
Home.
With her, it sounded like Heaven.
I nodded back, certain. “Let’s go home.”
We stood, fingers brushing – her hand slipping into mine naturally, instinctively. And neither of us let go as we left the restaurant and stepped into the New York night, city lights reflecting in her eyes like stars I’d put there.
Chapter 33
Present
Upper-East Side, New York City
THE COLD BIT AT MY cheeks as Matteo and I climbed the stone steps to Natalia and Trevor’s townhouse, fingers intertwined like it was the most natural thing in the world. Holding hands. In public. With people inside who would definitely notice.
And I wasn’t going to admit it out loud, but yeah – I was nervous. First time showing up as Matteo’s actual girlfriend and not just his fake wife.
Matteo rang the doorbell with the hand that held a bouquet of pink roses and eucalyptus. I had Natalia’s gift in my free hand, a massive Chanel bag with white bows to the handles. It felt dramatic in the best way.
He glanced down at me, thumb brushing my knuckles like he could feel my tension.
“It’s going to be alright,amor. You’ll see.”
Before I could respond, the door swung open.
Natalia stood there glowing – literally glowing – in a pink bow dress, six months pregnant and absolutely thrilled. She let out a squeal.
“Oh my god! You’re here!” She threw her arms around me, careful of the gifts, but very much seeing my handlinked to Matteo’s. Her eyes flicked down, then up to mine with a not-so-subtlewe’ll talk latersparkle.
She hugged Matteo too, and he slightly lifted the flowers. “Happy birthday, Natalia.”
I did the same with the Chanel bag. “Happy birthday!”
She gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. “Thank you both so much! Help me get them inside?”
“Of course.”
We stepped into the beautiful foyer – warm lighting, marble floors, faint scent of vanilla and champagne. Natalia shut the door behind us, locking it. Matteo and I took off our shoes, and she handed me a pair of fuzzy pink slippers.
Natalia led us through the hallway toward the kitchen – warm light spilling out, music low and cozy, the smell of garlic and roasted tomatoes wrapping around us like a welcome-home blanket.
Trevor stood at the stove in a white T-shirt, brow furrowed in concentration while Zane hovered beside him, passing ingredients like an assistant Chef.
Kali sat perched on a barstool, long legs crossed, swirling a cocktail and laughing at both of them.
“Look who it is!” Kali grinned, sliding off her seat to hug me first, then Matteo. Trevor gave me a one-armed hug, wooden spoon still in hand, then shook Matteo’s hand. Zane clapped Matteo’s back and hugged me too.
Nobody noticed Matteo and I since we weren’t holding hands anymore – and for a second, I felt odd. Private could stay private… For now.
Before anyone could keep talking, the doorbell chimed again.
Natalia’s eyes lit up. “It must be Maria and Zach!”
