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 goodtime.”
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 ofTVD?”
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.
“Congratulations!” she says, giving me a hug.
“Thanks.”
I have a seat on the couch, and Damien comes running over, dressed in his pajamas.
“Wanna play with me?” he asks. “Adam and Justin don’t play,” he says with a pout, referring to his younger twin brothers.
I stifle a laugh.
He was so excited for his brothers, but finding out that they were too little to play with him bummed him out a bit.
