I laughed. “She’s not even three and already planning social events?”
“She demanded snacks and floaties,” he deadpanned, “I’m just the delivery guy.”
“She gets it fromyou, I’m sure. I’ll see you down there,” I said, grabbing a coffee to-go. “Tell my girl her favorite person is on the way.”
“She said Monty’s her favorite,” Alexander called as I walked off.
“Rude.”
I headed back to the elevators, taking the long way through the lobby, trying to shake the image of Nicola asleep in that bed,the mess of us from last night still clung to my skin.
14
NICOLA
The next morning arrived in slivers of gold through gauzy white curtains. The scent of salt and citrus drifted in from the open balcony doors, the sound of distant waves lapping the shore. I stretched out in bed, my limbs heavy with that soft, glowy exhaustion only wine, sea air, and kissing someone you’re definitely not supposed to be kissing could cause.
Matteo wasn’t there.
I told myself that was a good thing.
Still, the imprint of him was everywhere. His laugh echoed faintly in my head. My skin still tingled from the memory of his hands on me, the way he looked at me like I was something wild and sacred and entirely his.
I brushed it off, grabbed a towel, and made my way downstairs sporting a loose dress over a bikini after Lucia texted me that it was a designated pool day.
By the pool, it was already a picture of calm chaos. Gianna’s squeals echoed as she splashed in the shallow end, bright pink floaties on her arms and curls flying everywhere. Lucia sat perched on a lounger in oversized sunglasses and a floppysunhat, flipping through a book while keeping one eye on her daughter. Alexander was sitting on the ledge of the pool with Gianna, smiling at her.
“Nicola!” Gianna shrieked when she saw me, paddling over like a tiny hurricane. “Come swim!”
I smiled. “Only if you promise not to splash me.”
“Nope,” she said, then walked up the steps only to immediately jump in, with a splash to my legs.
Lucia snorted behind her book. “You walked into that one.”
I shrugged and peeled off my robe, slipping into a lounge chair beside her. “I was hoping to ease into the day, not get attacked by a mermaid.” I stuck out my tongue to Gianna who giggled and dipped back under the water.
“You look suspiciously happy,” she said, peering at me over her sunglasses, eyebrows high.
I made a noncommittal noise. “Wine and sea air. Works wonders.”
I glanced across the pool just as Matteo appeared, hair damp, T-shirt clinging to him, sunglasses pushed up into his curls. He was carrying a tray of fresh juices and pastries from the kitchen, whistling softly like it was the most natural thing in the world to be that annoyingly attractive and cheerful in the morning.
He met my eyes, giving me a lopsided grin.
I looked away, heart thudding like a traitor.
“Breakfast delivery,” he announced, setting the tray down between the chairs. “One orange juice, one mystery smoothie, and about fourteen pastries.”
Alexander eyed the tray. “Thanks, Mate!”
Gianna climbed out of the pool, soaking wet, and beelined straight for Matteo, who caught her without flinching.
“I swam like a fish,” she announced proudly.
“You did,” he agreed. “Like a very loud, splashy fish.”
He wrapped a towel around her and ruffled her hair, and something in my chest squeezed.
