“Keep talking and I’ll tell Lucia you clogged the hotel sink with your protein powder.”
His mouth dropped open. “You swore you’d never speak of that.”
“Then don’t test me.”
Monty barked like he was proud of me.
The moment we boarded the plane, chaos and comfort merged into one. Gianna squealed as she spotted me, her curls wild and a juice box already in her hand. I barely got seated before she ran over and showed me her glittery unicorn stickers. I obliged with the appropriateoohs andahhs while Monty nestled beside me, already curled up and half-asleep.
Lucia was settled in with a warm blanket, while Anna kicked off her heels and curled into a window seat with her phone clutched tightly in one hand. I caught the two of them whispering, their heads bent together, brows furrowed.
Matteo slid into the seat across from me. He lifted a brow, glancing between Anna and Lucia, then at me. When I avoidedeye contact, he took out his phone and typed something. A second later, my phone buzzed.
Matteo:
What’s going on over there? Secret girl meeting?
I sighed, thumb flying over the screen.
Nicola:
Anna’s got family drama.
No, I’m not telling you.
Matteo:
Damn. Okay.
You’re very bossy when you’re being protective.
It’s kinda hot.
I blinked and glanced up at him. He was grinning. The worst part? He knew I read the message.
Nicola:
Delete that.
Go flirt with someone else.
Matteo:
No thanks. I like you grumpy.
Makes it fun when I make you smile.
Making you blush is my new favorite pastime.
I rolled my eyes so hard my brain rattled. Monty nudged my hand like he was telling me to stop getting flustered and get backto his ear scratches. I obliged, silently praying Matteo would find someone else to torment.
I pulled out my book and tried to let the world slip away, my trusty queen of hearts playing card acting as a bookmark for all my books. The words started to settle around me like a blanket, the stress dissolving bit by bit. I fell into the pages easily, shoulders dropping as I escaped into a world where the only thing I had to worry about was whether the heroine would stab the prince or kiss him. Monty snored beside me, and I leaned my cheek on his head. Time floated by as I got lost in my pages and I tried to ignore the burning feeling as Matteo kept looking at me.
The plane hummed beneath us, everyone settling in for the flight. Lucia had already dozed off with Gia curled against her side, and Anna had finally relaxed, one foot tapping lightly as she texted someone back. It was quiet. Peaceful. And somehow, still laced with this magnetic pull that kept dragging my attention back to the boy across from me.
My phone buzzed one more time.
Matteo:
