“Hey!” Nicola protested, looking genuinely offended.
“—and Gianna is clearly a Moretti fan, not a Belen fan. Red is better, come on.” Matteo grinned smugly, clearly proud of his convoluted logic. “The only solution is obvious: we should all go on vacation.”
“I’m sorry—what?” I asked, completely thrown. “Did you just say we’re in love? Where the hell did that come from?”
“And how does any of this even connect?” Alexander added, rolling his eyes.
Nicola muttered from the corner, “I am a ray of sunshine.”
“Way to just jump the gun, bud,” Alexander added dryly.
From my arms, Gianna perked up, her big, curious eyes darting between us. “Who’s in love?”
“It’s nothing, baby,” I said quickly, scooping her up and heading for the door. My face was on fire, and I couldn’t stand to look at Alexander. Behind me, I could hear Matteo rambling, trying to justify his “master plan.”
As I stepped onto the balcony, the cool breeze hit my face, helping calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. The view of the city stretched out before me, bustling with life beneath the golden sun. It was a picture-perfect day, yet all I could focus on was Matteo’s stupid comment.
“Hey,” Alexander’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft and gentle. I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. He stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm. My body responded instinctively, leaning into his touch.
“Hey,” I managed, forcing a small smile.
Gianna wiggled in my arms, reaching out for him. “Me too, me too!”
“Obviously,” Alexander said, his smile finally reaching his eyes as he took her from me, cradling her against his chest. He kissed her temple and gave her a little squeeze before setting her down.
“I’m gonna show Zio and Nicola my princess dress!” she announced before dashing back inside.
Alexander chuckled, watching her go before turning back to me. “You okay?”
“Yeah!” I replied too quickly, my voice unnaturally high-pitched. Clearing my throat, I tried again. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Want to talk about Matteo’s comment?” he asked, his gaze steady but cautious.
I looked out over the edge of the balcony, avoiding his eyes. The view was breathtaking, but it couldn’t distract me from the weight of his question. Finally, I felt his hand slip into mine.
“Well…” I began, my voice faltering as I tried to put my tangled thoughts into words. “The last week—everything between us has been so good.So good.I don’t want to mess that up, but this whole fake relationship, then it turning intothis. My heart’s all wrapped up in it now, and I just don’t want to get hurt, but…”
I sighed, finally meeting his eyes. They were softer than I’d expected, brimming with something that made my stomach twist. “I love our time together, Alex—all of it. ”
He winced, like he was bracing himself for whatever I might say next. My words caught in my throat, so I stopped.
“What were you going to say?” I asked, desperate for a shift in focus.
He took a steadying breath, his gaze dropping for a moment before returning to mine. “First of all, these past few months have been incredible. Having you and Gia here…it’s been like nothing I’ve ever had before. For the first time, it feels like I have a family rooting for me.” He paused, his voice growing quieter. “But the thing is?—”
My heart stuttered. Here it was, the letdown. The inevitable rejection. This wasn’t real to him, not like it was to me. Why would it be? He’s Alexander Wright, for God’s sake. He could have anyone in the world. I felt the sting of tears threatening, but before the spiral could consume me, his hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing gently against my skin. His touch was warm, grounding, and I couldn’t help leaning into it.
“I can see that pretty mind of yours working overtime,” he murmured, his voice so soft it sent shivers down my spine. “Will you let me say something before you spiral any further?”
I nodded, my throat too tight to trust myself with words.
“The thing is, Lucia,” he began, his voice steady and sure, “I don’t want this to be fake. My feelings for you are the most real thing I’ve ever felt. I know my life isn’t the safest or the easiest—I know bringing a toddler into this world isn’t ideal—but I would do anything to keep you here, by my side. I want this, I want us.”
I blinked up at him, stunned, as he went on.
“I don’t have all the answers, and I can’t promise it’ll always be smooth, but I know without a doubt that I want you, Lucia. Exactly as you are. As you grow, as you change, every version of you. I want to be there for all of it.”
Oh.Tears were definitely coming. I tried to fight them, chantingdon’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cryin my head like a mantra. But my throat was dry, my chest too full, and my voice failed me completely.
