"Oh my God…" Noah sounds like he's fanning himself. "I KNEW IT. And? Is he better than Sophia?"
That makes me stop. "What?"
"You heard me. Is he better than Sophia?" I stare at the window, stunned. "I forgot Sophiaexisteduntil you just said her name." And I mean it.
Noah lets out a scandalized shriek. "Rava, I'm gonna cry. Wait. Does that mean…? Are you…?"
"Well I think I'm bi." It feels strange saying it out loud. "Or something. I don't know. And it's not just that. I—fuck, I think I'm actually in love with him. And it's making me sick."
"RAVAAAAA." He sounds like he's about to jump out of his skin. "Holy shit! I am so proud of you. This is, like,themoment. Do you hear me? THE MOMENT. I have to break something, this is so unexpected."
I laugh. "You're so dramatic."
"Bitch, you're the one in a secret romance with a tattooed Italian bad boy. Iearnedthe right to scream."
"You sound like Lorenzo."
"Is he your other affair or something?"
"Gio's cousin. You'd love him. Same brain. It's actually disturbing. You'd probably become best friends in two minutes and then ruin my life."
"I already love him. Tell him I said hi. And also thank you for not letting Gio be a complete menace. Okay, wait—tell me everything. Like, what's he like? What do you do? How did it start? What's the vibe?"
So I tell him. Everything. From that first kiss in Spain to the stolen glances, all that fucking, the whispered conversations.
The key to his house. The way Gio looks at me. The way I feel safe and alive and terrified all at once. "But I don't know what happens when I leave," I admit, quieter now.
"We made this agreement—if someone falls, we stop. But fuck me, I already did. And I'm scared if he finds out, he'll back off before I even get on the plane. Like he'll just... disappear. Before I can even ask him to stay with me."
Noah is quiet for a second.
"Rava... you deserve to love someone who wants to stay. And from everything you just told me? He sounds like he fuckingdoeswant to stay with you. Maybe he already broke the rules too, and he's just as scared to tell you."
I press my forehead against the cool glass. "What if I mess it up?"
"Then at least you tried. But if you don't say anything, you'll regret it every day after. Just think about what you want. What youreallywant."
"I want him."
Noah sighs dramatically. "Okay. That's it. I'm flying over. I need to meet this man. I need to see the face of the guy who made you forget that bitch Sophia existed. And also, I want gelato. And Lorenzo. And chaos."
"You're insane."
"I'm your best friend. Same thing."
And I smile. "Wait..." I pause mid-laugh, something lighting up in my chest. "Noah. Hold on. Actually…what if you came?"
There is silence on the line. "Came where?" His tone shifts instantly.
"Here. To Italy. I'm serious."
I'm already picturing it.
Noah strutting off a plane in a hideous airport outfit with a suitcase full of chaos. "You should totally come. It would be legendary."
"Rava..." he whispers. "You're not messing with me, right?" "No, dude, I'm serious! Stay for a week—or two! You'll meet everyone. You can finally see this madness in real life. Lorenzo will lose his mind. You two will end up lighting something on fire, I already know it."
"Oh my GOD." He's breathing heavier, like this is the best idea he's ever heard. "You don't understand. I've been bored, man. I'm dying out here. Everyonesucks. I need drama. I need Italians. I need espresso and forbidden romance. I need to see Gio the Legend with my own eyes. I need to judge him in person."
