He doesn’t look at me at first. He just walks down the aisle, calm as ever, and slides into the empty seat across from me. Next to my father. Of course. He puts the helmet down on the floor. Sits back. Crosses his arms lazily.
Then tilts his head slightly toward my dad.
"Hey there, Charles!" My father doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even pretend to be polite. Just looks at him out of the corner of his eye, then turns his head forward.
I stare at Gio. He meets my eyes for half a second. Smiles. Shrugs. That look on his face, the one that says "I tried." He leans back in his chair. I can’t stop looking at him. And he knows it. His fingers tap against the edge of the table.
Then he mouths something across to me. "You okay?"
I nod once, slowly. He mouths again, smirking just a little. "You look hot." I nearly choke on air. I shoot him a glare. "Not now, Gio." He texts me.
GIO:
-You still thinking about this morning?
My stomach flips. I glance around to make sure no one sees, then text back.
ME:
-You will regret this I promise
His tongue runs over his bottom lip, and he gives me a wink.
GIO:
-I’m bored
-Your lips look so good
-How is your skin so flawless?
ME:
-Are you ovulating?!
-Or are you just a big man whore?
I clench my jaw. Smile. Glance to the side. Lorenzo catches my eye and raises an eyebrow likewhat the hell are you two doing.
The meeting carries on. I keep my eyes on the notepad in front of me, writing down what I can, nodding when it’s expected, trying to be normal. Or at least fake it.
My pen taps against the page in an anxious rhythm. Someone across the table mentions final budget allocations, another brings up outreach, logistics, reports. It’s all stuff we’ve covered before, but since it’s the last meeting of the summer, it matters now.
Our numbers have to be spotless and our results clear. I try to speak up once, my voice cracks, and I have to clear my throat like five freaking times before continuing.
We agree on two final community sessions, the last one being next Thursday.
Everyone claps. It feels so forced. People start packing up. I rub my temples.
And then it’s over. I stay seated for a moment, watching the room slowly empty out. Gio hasn’t moved. He’s still lounging in his chair, arm slung over the backrest.
Only my dad, Gio, and I are left in the room now. That’s when I feel the air change.
Like all the oxygen has decided to dip.
24) Never Been Prouder
Rava
