After a few moments of solemn silence, Lu speaks up. Pouting her lower lip, she says, “Your puppy dog eyes are as bad as Michael’s. You’re actually making me sad, now.”
I look at her hopefully. “Do you think I should call?—”
“NO!”
For as much shit as they give me, I’m glad to have Lu and Micheletto. Though, I wish either of them knew more aboutspace.
“Fine. If both of you are so smart, what should I do then?”
Micheletto starts. “Well, when she tries to break up with you?—”
“If.Ifshe tries to break up with me…” Even thinking about that scenario makes my stomach hurt.
Micheletto presses his lips together in a thin line, like he knows something I don’t.
“Sure,” he placates. “Ifshe breaks up with you, tell her that I’m willing to give her my Eevee SV5a Crimson Haze. That’ll get her back.”
I sigh, not sure bribing a woman with trading cards is the best way to win her over. “Lu?”
She studies me before clapping her hands together once. “Listen. She said she wanted space, so give her space. It’s been one day. I have a feeling the two of you will be just fine.” Leaning forward, she asks, “Should I lock up this phone before I leave, Gi? Or will you be able to control yourself?”
Considering the office phone can make calls in the same way a toy tractor can mow a lawn, it makes no difference. But we both like to keep up the facade.
I nod. “Sure. Lock it up.”
Bury it underground for all I care.
Lu picks up the base of the phone and realizes the cord’s offering zero resistance.
She blushes. “Where’s my head today? First it was burning the toast at breakfast, then it was running late to school, and now this phone. I guess it got accidentally unplugged somehow.”
“I’m sorry.” I stare Lu straight in the eye. “That sucks.”
Chapter 41
Tessa
Iblink open my eyes, scan my shoebox of an apartment, and immediately shut them again.
I miss Gio’s place, with his shower. And his couch. And him. Maybe in that order.
Groaning, I stretch my arms above my head and accidentally scrape my fists against the popcorn wall in the process. I wince and gingerly flex my feet, which were hanging off of the bed all night.Why did I decide to sleep here again?Oh yeah.Space.
Space is such a shitty word, and I shouldn’t have used it with Gio. What was I even asking for? I could’ve just gone on a walk.
And because waking up alone wasn’t bad enough, my subconscious is protesting, too. I didn’t realize how much of a grip Brescia still has on me. Last night, I listened to an Italian lullaby to fall asleep, like some sort of lovelorn lunatic. And now that I’m awake, I’m already craving a plate of fresh figs for breakfast.
At this point, I’m teetering on the edge of yearning tobike, for fuck’s sake.
Lifting myself up out of bed, I think about the way Gio lifted me off the floor in Brescia, both of us tipsy.
You’ve got to stop wearing these shoes, he’d said teasingly.You make me crazy, Tèssa.
I sigh. The past 24 hours have felt like 24 years, and I need to see my boyfriend before I wither away like my succulents.
When I’m finished brushing my teeth, I grab my phone to check the weather. Then, I slide into my favorite Doc Martens and pull on a lavender sweater and a comfortable pair of black jeans. I look around the room for a bag large enough to fit my gift for Gio, finally landing on the one I use to carry renderings. Swiping on some strawberry lip gloss, I smile to myself. Gio would be so proud of me for dressing weather-appropriately.
After a subway ride full of sad songs, I’m happy to breathe in the familiar scent of Cattaneo’s Bespokeas soon as I cross the threshold.
