I’ve never had anyone stand up for me. Not like that. Not with fire. It warms some place inside me I didn’t know was cold. I step out in a soft rose-colored dress—flowy, feminine, the sleeves brushing my arms.
Gia’s jaw drops. “Elena…” Her voice breaks into a smile. “You look… so pretty.”
I touch the hem nervously. “You think so?”
“No,” she says, shaking her head. “You think so. And that’s what matters.”
But it isn’t. Not entirely. Because some stubborn part of my heart wonders what he would think. Before I can talk myself out of it, I turn toward Rocco.
“Do you think…” I swallow. “Do you think Alessandro would like it?”
Gia groans dramatically. “Girl, YOU should like—”
But I’m not asking because I want approval. I’m asking because… I wonder if he would think I look pretty. I can’t say that out loud.
Rocco steps forward a little, giving me a small, warm smile — the kind men reserve for daughters or little sisters.
“Yes, ma’am,” he says. “I think the Boss will approve.”
My cheeks burn. Gia rolls her eyes but smiles like she sees through me entirely.
We sit on a patio in the sunlight, sipping iced drinks.
Gia leans forward, chin propped in her hands.
“You know my cousin’s been blowing up Rocco’s phone all day, right?”
My heart stops. “What?”
Gia smirks. “Oh yeah. Every thirty minutes. Maybe less.”
My face heats so fast I swear the sun gets jealous.
Gia laughs. “You deserve someone who gives a damn. And trust me—Alessandro gives more than a damn.”
“Okay,” she says. “What else do you need? Anything.”
I chew slowly, staring at the table.
Do I dare say it? When I don’t answer, she nudges my knee under the table.
“Elena. What is it?”
“It’s stupid,” I whisper.
“It’s not stupid if it’s coming out of your mouth. Tell me.”
I take a breath. “I… need new shower products.”
Gia freezes. Dead still. Then— “Oh hell no.” She slams her hand on the table, half-standing. “THEY MADE YOU USE—”
Nico places a gentle but very firm hand on her shoulder. She sits back down instantly, still vibrating with righteous rage.
“Elena,” Gia says, voice tight. “We’re buying everything. Everything. New.”
I bite my lip. “I just… I don’t like the ones my mother chose.”
“That’s because they weren’t your choices.” Gia huffs. “We’re fixing that too.”
