“Because we’re not going to be afraid?”
“Exactly.”
“Wait, what is it?” Ellie asked, her forehead drawing together in mock confusion.
Cris leaned his head closer until his nose touched hers. “I think you know,” he whispered.
“Oh, I see how this goes.” She smiled. “You want me to say it!”
“Nooo, I would never do that!” Cris pulled a face. They both laughed and tried to shush each other, as though staying quiet wouldsave them from being found in bed together if Gio and Peggy wandered in. When they finally stopped giggling, he pulled her in closer, kissing the tip of her nose. “If you really want to know,” he whispered, “I ‘like you,’ like you. A lot.”
“Okay, okay,” she whispered back. “Then me too.”
CHAPTER 24
“Last chance to change your mind.” Leo grinned at Cris, who was balancing his iPad on the pasta-and-coffee tower in the kitchen again.
“Not this time. In fact, the next call I make after this one is to the admissions office at City College,” said Cris. He pushed his chair back a bit so that all three brothers could be seen on screen. The time had come to talk to Teena about his plans, and Cris didn’t want to waste another day letting her think he was still trying to come to a decision. “I have to accept the spot before I start loitering outside the Croce Rossa ambulance bay.”
“You’re obsessed.” Leo laughed.
“I am fired up.”
“Oh, speaking of fire, you know who asked about you last night?” Ale asked, turning to Cris. He didn’t wait for a guess. “Lindsey Vonn.”
“Great,” said Cris.
“Man, she is incredible. She had this Mugler dress on that was like, half see-through.”
“Oh, now you know it was a Mugler?” Leo asked his brother. He turned to Cris. “This is all because of that model in Miami last year, you know. Other than that, he wouldn’t know Louis Vuitton from L.L.Bean.”
“Whatever. She’s hot. And she was wondering if you were going to be there,” said Ale.
“That’s great, thanks. Say hello next time you see her.” Cris clicked the blue button on the screen, connecting to the Zoom call with Teena.
“You could do it yourself,” Ale said, laughing, but Cris just stared at him. “Kidding, kidding. Just trying to let you know what you missed last night.”
“I don’t think he missed anything last night,” said Leo with a smirk. Cris turned to shoot him a look, but the video connected. Teena was already standing up with her hands on her hips.
“I’ll tell you what we’re not going to talk about today,” Teena said, launching the conversation into orbit. This could be bad. At least she wasn’t pacing—yet. “We are not going to talk about Cristiano getting into any more trouble. Would you agree?” She didn’t specify who she was talking to, only that she needed an answer.
“Hey, T, looking pretty gorgeous today,” Ale said, showing off the result of a lifetime of excellent dental care. Teena did not seem wowed.
“Thank you, Alessandro. Red is my power color. Also, don’t flatter me while I am trying to set big brother straight over here. Now, do you agree?”
“Yes, Teena. We all agree,” said Cris. “I obviously do not want to make any missteps. In fact, that’s why we’re here all together, so we are all on the same page for the future.”
“Or lack of it,” said Leo, miming an exaggerated pout.
“I’m guessing you’re officially turning down the offer to be onDouble Shot,” said Teena.
“I am. I’m prepared to talk it over, but my mind is made up. See? No more trouble from this guy,” Cris said, pointing his thumb back at himself.
“We’re totally fine with it, by the way.” Leo ducked his head toward the camera.
“Even though he’ll be missing out on his last chance to be even close to cool, ever,” added Ale.
“We tried.” Leo shook his head and looked down.
