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Insta-Hate, Hijinks & Happy Endings

Page 114

by Rebel Warren

“No regrets.”

“Except . . .”

“Except?” My eyes widen.

“You may have sent Roman running, but we’ve surely set the internet ablaze.”

“You told me the best revenge was living my best life. So, I did.” I squeeze him. “I can’t help it if people post it online. Besides, maybe it’ll help you with the restau⁠—”

I pause mid-word and grit my teeth. I’ve let a secret escape. Gio wasn’t supposed to know that I know about the restaurant. My gaze flashes to his with worry.

“Who told you?” Gio asks.

“Promise me you won’t get mad.” I wrinkle my nose.

“I don’t think anything could make me mad right now.” He rubs his hands across my back and tugs me close.

“I sort of accidentally wheedled it out of Matt.”

Gio groans.

“But, Gio, if being seen together helps you get the restaurant . . .” I let the words fade when he inhales like a bull who’s been provoked.

“I really need to fire his ass.” Gio glowers.

“When will you admit you like Matt? He’s a good guy with creative ideas. You’ve got him doing too many things. You need a bigger team,” I say.

Gio starts to speak, but I quickly kiss him before continuing.

“Meg Ryan may have laid the groundwork for my orgasmic theater in that old rom-com movie, but she was faking it. What I did was real. I did it for me. I did it for you. I did it for us.”

Gio relaxes at this. “I like the us part,” he says as he twines his fingers with mine.

“I like us too.” I grin.

“But I still don’t understand how this hurts Roman,” he says.

Now it’s me who’s quiet.

“Sophia.” Gio presses my hand to his chest.

When I find my words, they come out uneven. “Before this trip . . . Roman was the only person who knew my secret. He tried to, ah, get me there, but it only ended in a messy argument.”

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the memory. I clear my throat and glance away.

“It was a wedge in our relationship. Honestly, I’m surprised he didn’t splash that all over the internet.”

“He wouldn’t. Based on what I know of him, he would have perceived it as a personal failure,” Gio says.

“I suspect that’s why he sought out another partner⁠—”

“That doesn’t excuse his behavior. If anything, it demonstrates your relationship was always about him.”

“Team Roman sounds about right.” I chuckle sadly.

“You’ve traded teams. Permanently. You’re team us now, remember? Except, maybe don’t do that for anyone else but me. Ever again.”

I laugh. “Aww, look who can’t handle the secret vibrator game now. Someone feeling a little possessive?” I boop his nose like he’s done to me.