Daisy tilts her head a little, eyes softening. She doesn't say anything yet, but I can feel it coming. The talk. The one where she tries to figure out what's actually going on. She just stares at me for a second, like she’s waiting for me to crack. "You do realize you're being a little dramatic, right?"
I turn to look at her. "Thanks, princess. That really helps."
"Gio. No, seriously. Listen." She pauses like she's trying to pick her words carefully, which is rare for her. "Noah is literally just outside talking to my dad about your bike. Like, full-on pitch mode. Says it's the sexiest thing he's ever seen and that the guy riding it clearly has excellent taste."
"For real?"
"Deadass," she says, making a little cross over her heart. "He is trying to hype you up, Gio.To my dad. That's like trying to sell tequila to a nun."
Lorenzo lets out a laugh. "That's because Noah has balls of steel. And no survival instinct."
"Exactly!" Daisy points at him, then looks back at me. "So don't do that thing where you spiral and convince yourself everyone's out to erase you."
I shrug. "I'm not spiraling."
"You're totally spiraling," Lorenzo cuts in, giving me a look.
"You've got that 'one sad song away from running off into the night' energy."
I let out a laugh through my nose. "It's a good exit, don't knock it." Daisy leans forward, elbows on her knees, her tone dropping a little.
"Look, I know it's not easy. My dad is...complicated. But the way Rava looks at you? Gio, he'sneverlooked atanyonelike that."
I stay quiet, swallowing down the lump in my throat that tries to sneak up.
"He wants this," she adds, softer now. "You. He wantsyou. He's just trying to protect it the only way he knows how."
Lorenzo smirks. "And let's be honest, you're not exactly giving 'low-risk boyfriend' vibes."
I roll my eyes. "Gee, thanks."
"Hey, I'm just saying," he says, raising his hands. "You're a walking red flag. But like, a hot one. I'd climb you too, if I was Rava."
"You're disgusting." Daisy throws a pillow at him.
I just sit there, soaking it in. A weird warmth in my chest. I hate how much I needed that. How much I wanted someone to just fucking say it, that I'm not invisible.
That I'm not the mistake. I look away, blinking fast.
"He's kinda right. I would be concerned too."
"God, you're such a bitch for saying that," I mutter, trying to roll my eyes, put my mask back on. The usual. Daisy doesn't even flinch. "Shut up, love. You don't have to be tough right now."
"I am tough."
"Yeah, okay, Mr. Emotional Breakdown." She leans closer and starts petting me. "Here. Let me show some damn affection to the guy who somehow brought my miserable ass brother back to life. Just this once. Don't ruin it."
I groan. "You're annoying."
"And you're lucky I like you, asshole."
Lorenzo chimes in. "Aww. Group hug?"
"Touch me and you die," I snap.
16) Not Just a Bowl
Rava
