“Would you go on another one with me?” I ask, and she nods. “Then let me take you out for ice-skating this Sunday. For our third date, you can decide what we do, and I’ll let you pay if you want to.” I smile smugly.
“Who’s the smart-ass now?” she jests, giving me a playful glare.
“So, is that a yes?” I ask.
“Yes, I would love to go ice-skating with you, Josh,” she answers, a smile spreading across her face.
THIRTY-TWO
My head isin the clouds. Cloud nine, to be precise.
I almost burn the eggs as I prepare breakfast for Chiara and me. I am in a constant state of squealing internally while I repeat our date over and over again in my head.
He brought chocolate fondue to work for me. He was so sweet, considerate, and even flirty. And I was just myself, like Howie told me to be—no mask, no need to hide.
As soon as he told me he wanted me, and not a nice version of me, I was a goner. I think I might be in love. I don’t know what that feels like, but if it’s not like this, what could top that?
Chiara comes into the kitchen and sits in her usual place. “Morning.” She yawns.
“Buongiorno, piccola,” I greet, placing a plate in front of her. “How are you?”
“Good.” She shrugs, starting to eat her eggs.
“Do you already have plans for this Sunday?” I inquire.
She looks up from her plate, curious. “Why?”
“Well, some friends from work and I are going ice-skating in Central Park, and I remember you always wanted to do that. So, I thought I’d ask if you wanted to come along?”
“You have friends?” she asks, sounding surprised.
Ouch.
“Yeah, it’s kinda new, but they’re my friends, I guess,” I say, trying not to feel hurt.
“And is one of those ‘friends’ going to be your date?” She grins, and my cheeks heat up. “Wait, really? Oh my God, I need to see that.”
“Chiara,” I warn.
“I’ll bring Leo, and it’ll be like a double date,” she says excitedly.
“Okay, sure, but can you tell him that he’ll need to pay for himself? I’m sorry, but—” I start.
“He’s going to pay for both of us, dummy. He’s my boyfriend, and that’s what they do.” She shrugs nonchalantly.
“Well, that’s not—” I want to lecture her, but then I think I’ll save that for another time. I can be a bit selfish too.
Chiara takes out her phone to text Leo about the new plans. “I’m so excited! This is going to be so much fun.”
Even now,as I’m walking into the lab, I still have no idea what my classes were about because I’m still not totally back to Earth. I smile to myself, and when I look up to say hello, Sophia smiles at me.
“And?” she asks eagerly.
“And what?” I counter, putting my backpack behind my desk and taking a seat.
She takes a sip from her mug, which readsMo-tea-vation.“How was it? I think he outdid himself. That was so fucking cute.”
I cringe a little. “Should I really talk to you about a date with your brother?”
