Alexander.
Of course.
I reached for the water and pills, swallowing them gratefully. As I sipped the last of the water, fragments of the night before began filtering through the fog in my brain. The pulsing music, Matteo’s drunken antics, the warmth of Alexander’s hands guiding me out of the club. And then…
Oh God.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands as flashes of memory surfaced. Dancing with Alexander, the way I’d practically dragged him onto the floor. The teasing comments, the way I’d touched his arm, his chest, flirting with him like some drunk, carefree version of myself I barely recognized. I was so close to kissing him, to pulling him down into my space and brushing my lips to his.
I cringed, the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck. What was I thinking? This wasAlexander—stoic, composed, ridiculously handsome, famous millionaire Alexander. Matteo’s best friend. Gia’s unofficial godfather. The man who’d been nothing but patient with me since this whirlwind of a trip began. He could have anyone he could ever want, why would he want me?
And I’d…what? Batted my lashes at him under neon lights and tried to pull him into my tipsy, reckless world? The memory of his low voice, his steady presence, flickered in my mind. The way he’d looked at me—not annoyed, not judgmental, but something else entirely. I was probably making it up in my head, I mean, I was drunk and the man was beautiful, I couldn’t deny that. But he was my brother’s best friend. Off limits. Beyond off limits, actually.
I pulled myself up, leaning over to glance into the bedroom, the curtains were shut, blocking out the morning light in that room despite the light in the living room side. I glanced toward Gia’s crib, where she was still sound asleep, her tiny fists curled up near her face. The sight of her calmed me, grounding me in the present.
Sliding my feet to the floor, I wrapped the blanket Alexander must’ve tucked around me tighter, running a hand through my hair. He’d undone it for me, I realized. I expected my eyes to be groggy, with an unwashed face, but when I went into the bathroom, my face was clear and the makeup wipes were on the counter instead of in my travel bag.
I bit my lip, the weight of the night pressing down on me again. I owed him a thank-you, and maybe an apology.
The sudden dread of guilt crept into my mind as I remembered we had all agreed to meet in my room for breakfast. I glanced at the clock, way too little time to get myself together, but it would have to do. I pulled out my phone to text my brother.
Lucia
Hey just woke up, let’s do breakfast in an hour
Matteo
Aye aye captain
I began hustling around the suite as quietly as I could, picking up discarded clothing and toys, trying to make the room look less like a chaotic mess.
As I moved around the suite, trying to restore some semblance of order, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from drifting back to Alexander. The memories of his steady hands guiding me to the couch, his careful attention to the little details—like leaving water and ibuprofen—made my chest tighten.
I shook the thought away, focusing instead on the task at hand. I gathered Gia’s favorite stuffed giraffe from under the coffee table and set it neatly on the couch. I folded the clothes that had been tossed over the back of a chair, stuffed a few stray toys into her travel bag, and wiped down the coffee table.
“Not bad,” I muttered, stepping back to survey the room. It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t screamhurricane aftermathanymore.
Gianna stirred in her crib, a soft coo escaping her lips. I crossed the room and peeked over the edge, her tiny face scrunching up as she began to wake.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I whispered, reaching down to stroke her soft curls. She yawned, her little arms stretching above her head as she blinked up at me.
I scooped her up, holding her close as she nuzzled into my shoulder. The warmth of her small body in my arms was a reminder of why I was here, why I’d agreed to this crazy trip in the first place.
“Let’s get you changed and ready for breakfast, hmm?” I said softly, carrying her over to the changing table.
Just as I finished getting Gianna dressed in a tiny floral romper, there was a knock at the door. My heart leapt, and I glanced at the clock.Already?
“Coming!” I called, quickly setting Gianna down with her toys before hurrying to the door.
When I opened it, Alexander stood on the other side, holding two steaming cups of coffee and looking far too composed for someone who had dealt with drunk Matteo and me the night before.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice warm and even, like he hadn’t spent the night carrying my drunk self back to the hotel.
“Morning,” I replied, suddenly hyperaware of how disheveled I must look in my oversized sleep shirt and messy bun.
He held out one of the cups. “Thought you might need this.”
I took it, my fingers brushing against his for a moment. “Thank you. And…thanks for last night. I know I wasn’t exactly easy to handle.”
