He turns slightly. “Looks like she’s caught some guy’s attention.”
I whip my head in that direction so fast my neck clicks.
She’s not talking to some guy—she’s just ordering her drink.
I snap my glare back to Valerio, who shakes his head with a smug smile.
“You’re not funny.”
He shrugs. “I happen to think I’m hilarious.”
I return my eyes to her—again—and this time she catches my gaze. She lets out a soft, inaudible gasp.
The world stops, just like it did on that rooftop.
I should turn away. I should let her go about her day and fade into something smaller than a memory.
I should do all those things.
But I don’t.
Instead, I stand.
And I walk toward her, ignoring the voice screaming inside my skull to sit down.
With each step, it feels like I’m slicing through whatever restraint I managed to build against this woman.
Step by step, that inner voice gets louder.
Stay away from her.
But I never listen. Not when it comes to her.
I close the distance. She stands frozen, staring at me like a deer in headlights—wide eyes, parted lips, and a war raging inside those leaf-colored eyes.
Stay or go. Stay or go…
She’s fighting herself too. But before she decides, I’m already in front of her, my presence swallowing the space between us.
Her scent—lavender—hits me. I hold my breath, refusing to inhale it fully.
“On solid ground again, bella?” I tilt my head. “Didn’t expect fate to hand you back to me this fast.”
Her throat works on a swallow. Her answer is a single, broken word. “Fuck,” she whispers.
6
BEATRICE
“Fuck,” I hiss under my breath.
He quirks an eyebrow. “Hello to you, too,bella.”
I clear my throat, trying to seem composed and collected. I lift my chin and hold his stare.
“Sorry. I’m just surprised to see you here.”
I nod toward the booth. “And your friend is staring, so I should probably let you get back.”
