I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”
“So I can put my number in it.”
I let out a dry laugh. “Why would I want your number?”
He shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “In case you ever want to talk again. Or yell at me. Or invite me over to babysit and bring you fries.”
I glanced at the empty container between us on the coffee table. My stomach flipped, stupidly. “I’m not calling you.”
He smiled wider. “That’s fine. But now youcan.”
I hesitated. “You don’t think that’s a little…presumptuous?”
Matteo just held out his hand. “Come on, Princess. Don’t make me beg. Or do. I would love being on my knees for you.”
I gaped at him, heat rushing to my face. “You’re?—”
“Inappropriate? Charming? Irresistible?”
“Insufferable.”
“And yet…” He wiggled his fingers again.
I sighed, exasperated, fishing my phone from my back pocket. I passed it to him with a scowl I didn’t fully mean.
He typed something quickly, then handed it back.
“There,” he said. “Now if you ever get tired of pretending you don’t like me, I’m just a text away.”
I snorted. “That’s assuming I would ever text you.”
He was already backing toward the door, eyes glittering with that infuriating confidence.
“I told you, Moretti,” he said, grinning as he pulled the door open. “Ball’s in your court.”
6
MATTEO
Iwas halfway through trying to convince Alexander that karting with me tomorrow at a local karting warehouse would be more fun than whatever sponsor meeting he was trying to avoid when my phone buzzed on the table between us. We were both half-slumped on chairs outside the gym post-training. Our trainers pushed us extra hard today. If I saw another tennis ball for hand-eye coordination practice after reps on the damn row machine, I’d probably scream. My phone buzzed again, reminding me I had a text.
I glanced at it, ready to ignore it—until I saw the message and I knew exactly who it was.
Nicola:
Don’t get too excited, DeLuca.
Another message came through a second later:
Nicola:
Lucia wants to go out tonight. Some underground club. You and Mr. Down Bad are apparently invited. Anna’s got Gia.
My brows lifted as I sat forward a little, thumb already typing before I could help myself.
Matteo:
So this is your way of begging me to spend time with you? Bold move, Princess.
