This time, I hope it’s actually ready.
“I thought it was your turn to cook,” Matt said as we walked in.
“It was,” I admitted, “but this whole week has been off.”
He nods as he sits next to Yana.
“Hi, guys!” she waves.
“Hey,” Tilly says, locking her eyes with mine.
She definitely told Yana.
“Weren’t you cooking?” Tilly teases, spreading the homemade jam I brought from Italy last month.
“I was,” I say, keeping my eyes on my plate, “but Zara saved me from burning down the kitchen.”
“Really?” she shrieks, nearly jumping out of her seat. “Hard to believeLuca Rossimesses up in the kitchen.”
“That’s what I said!” Zara laughs. “I had to double-check I wasn’t hallucinating. The smell was pure burn.”
She gets up, saying something about the bathroom.
“Haha,” I deadpan. “Just because I’m Italian doesn’t mean I’m perfect. You’re Korean — does that mean you never mess up your skincare?” I point at Yana.
She clicks her tongue. “Touché.” She takes a piece and starts chewing. “But seriously, what’s been going on with you? We’ve known you for ages, and this week has been… weird.”
“Nothing’s happening,” I lie smoothly.
So maybe Tilly didn’t say anything.
Matt grins like a traitor. “Now weallknow that’s not true.”
Yana looks at Tilly, offended. “See, Luca told Matt!” Then she basically forces Matt to talk.
I feel Tilly’s eyes on me.
“There’s a girl,” Matt announces dramatically, like he’d solved a mystery.
I shoot him a look that says he should be grateful looks don’t kill.
“What girl?” Yana presses.
“No one knows.”
I look across the table. Tilly has her head tilted.
A girl?She mouths
I smile at her.
Nobody knows.
So, this is new.
Luca loves you, apparently.
Sure, as if that could be true.
