MATEO
Gino, Juliet, Vanessa, and I wrap up dinner. Gino announces he bought tickets to the New York versus L.A. game for all of us. We decided to drive together to make parking easier. Gino drives and I ride in the passenger seat, and Juliet and Vanessa settle into the back.
As we make the drive, the girls talk quietly behind us. I can’t catch much—just bits and pieces about their outfits and what snacks they want to grab once we get there.
During the drive, I glance up at the rearview mirror and catch Vanessa’s eye—more than once. Each time, she offers me a soft smile, and I return it without thinking. Traffic thickens as we get closer to the stadium, the game starting soon, but we pull smoothly into the VIP parking area and park.
We make our way quickly into the arena, and Gino leads us courtside to a private section lined with semi-circle booths andservers assigned to just a few tables each. I take a seat beside Vanessa, across from Gino.
Throughout the game, my attention keeps drifting back to her. She’s completely absorbed in the action on the court, reacting to every play. She spends much of the game talking with Juliet, and by the end, it’s clear the two of them have started forming a friendship.
L.A. ends up winning the game, and Juliet might be one of the only person in the entire arena who’s genuinely thrilled about it.
TEN
VANESSA
The game ran longer than any of us expected, so Mateo and I decided to stay at Gino’s house for the night. I take the room across the hall from Juliet and spend most of the night watching TV. After a long day and an exciting game, exhaustion finally settles in, and I decide to take a nap in the early morning hours.
A soft sound pulls me from sleep. A door closing. I glance at my phone and see it’s just before seven.
I get out of bed and head downstairs. Halfway down the staircase, I miss the last step. My stomach drops as I brace for the fall—but it never comes. An arm wraps around my waist, firm and steady, stopping me just before I hit the floor.
“You okay?” a voice asks.
I look down at the toned, tan arm holding me in place, then lift my gaze to find Mateo staring back at me.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just missed a step,” I say. My gaze drops to his arm, still wrapped around my waist. “You can let go of me now.”
“Right,” Mateo says, clearing his throat as he pulls his arm away. “Juliet might have breakfast ready if you’re hungry.”
We walk into the kitchen together, and I immediately notice Gabe, Jake, Marco, and Ryan seated at the bar eating breakfast. Juliet stands at the counter, filling her own plate.
“Morning, guys. If you want breakfast, go ahead and grab a plate,” she says to both of us.
We step up to the counter, and Mateo hands me a plate. I thank him with a small smile and start filling it with eggs, bacon, and fruit. When I reach for the bread, Mateo does the same—and our hands brush.
I look up at him. He looks back at me, something sharp and unmistakable flashing in his eyes. Hunger. I don’t know if it’s meant for the food… or for me. I bite my bottom lip, a smile tugging at my mouth.
A throat clears.
I glance over to find Gino watching us, his expression unreadable. Heat creeps up my neck as I pull my hand back, grab my plate, and move to the small dining table against the wall. I take the open seat beside Juliet.
“So,” she says casually as I sit down, “I could use your help with something after we eat, if you’re up for it?”
“Sure. What do you need help with?” I ask, drawing in a slow breath to steady myself.
“I need to run to the weekday farmers market,” she says. “The earlier we get there, the better. Would you want to come with me?”
“I’d love to,” I reply.
We finish the rest of breakfast in a comfortable quiet.
The guys are already done eating, drifting into conversations about their plans for the day. Juliet and I go upstairs to change. I slip back into the same outfit I wore last night,jeans and a gray T-shirt. Then I head to meet her at the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m going to convince them to let us go without them,” Juliet murmurs, leaning closer. “Be prepared—we’ll be using charm and good looks to make it happen.” She grins and heads into the kitchen.
“No.” I hear Gino say as I walk into the kitchen behind Juliet.
