This time, a woman. "What about sustainability? Any green initiatives in the construction?"
Before I can respond, Gio jumps in. "Yes. Of course. The building will use solar energy, and rainwater recycling. We want it to be beautiful and responsible."
I glance at him again. The way he says "we". Like we are a team. My mom near the front smiles.
"How do you two work together so well?"
That isn’t even part of the presentation.
Jesus, mom.
Please. We get it. You adore him.
Gio smiles and leans slightly toward me. I swallow. He turns to the room. "He is the mind. I’m just here to make sure people listen to it." People laugh softly. It isn’t a joke, not really, but it kind of lands like one. In a good way.
I look at him again. And he is already looking at me. He winks at me. I immediately turn my head the other way, but my stupid mouth still pulls into a smile.
The moment it is over, I exhale like I’ve been holding my breath for an hour straight. People clap. I should be happy.
Iamhappy, but also tired, and kind of floating.
Half an hour later, I scan the room and find Gio standing near the refreshment table, sipping what is probably his second glass of Aperol. This is the part I’ve been dreading. The exact moment where I have to congratulate him.
Like actually say the words out loud, because yeah, he deserves it. He took half the weight off my shoulders today. He didn’t mess up.
He actually helped
So I kind of owe him this. No matter how much it stings.
I walk over. He sees me coming and raises his eyebrows. I stop a few feet away. I cross my arms.
"So..."
He tilts his head. "So?"
"You didn’tcompletelymess it up."
He grins. "Woah. Was that a compliment?!"
"I said didn’t mess it up. That’s not the same."
"Oh, come on. Say it. Say I did great."
"I’d rather choke on a breadstick."
He leans in slightly. "You’redyingto admit it. I can feel it."
I roll my eyes, but he isn’t wrong. He did great. Way better than I ever thought he could.
And honestly? I’m tired of feeling like a scared idiot around him. I want the upper hand for once. I want to sound like the composed, mature one.
So I lift my chin and meet his eyes dead-on. "Fine. You were perfect. Happy?"
His grin hits instantly. "Very," he says, laughing under his breath. I don’t look away. I don’t let him have the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.
I just keep staring at him.
"You should kiss him,"Noah’s voice whispers again in my brain, like a fucking devil on my shoulder.
