Page 30
“Not yet, that’s where you come in.” I laugh.
“Well, if it brings you home,” he half-jokes, but there’s truth in it. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you.”
The call ends but the unease doesn’t. I hate involving myself in other people’s business. But Lennie looked genuinely lost this morning and strangely I find that I value his friendship, I want to help him if I can. I just need to be sure first.
Still holding my phone, I open Instagram and search for Bri. Her author page appears instantly. It’s polished and professional, filled with book updates and gorgeous artwork, but there’s almost nothing of her on it. Something she said to Lennie last night—or rather something she didn’t say—keeps circling my mind.
I hit the follow button, then switch over to Facebook and type her name into the search bar. Her author page comes up first, followed by her personal profile a few scrolls later. It’s almost completely locked down. Huh. I wonder if Ember knows? I’ll ask her later.
My thumb hovers over the Add Friend button for far longer than I’d care to admit. Self-doubt eating at me. What if she’s just being polite? She probably wouldn’t want to keep in touch with someone like me, why would she? I shake my head, banishing the monster in my brain, and press ‘add’ quickly—immediately closing the app like I’ve committed some sort of crime.
Enzo hums to himself as he approaches the table. “Buongiorno!” he sings brightly before holding up a book. “This for you.”
Instantly, my mood lifts. “Is that Bri’s book?”
He smirks knowingly. "Sì. She ask to give to you and say clear instructions — nobody else to touch."
“Sounds like her,” I say, tapering my smile as I take the book from him.
The cover is gorgeous, matte black with intricate gold detailing curling across it like vines and dragon fire.
I laugh under my breath as I open the cover. And then I completely forget how to function.
To my Captain Asshole :)
May your life be filled with magic and adventure.
♥ Brianna Wildblood
My Captain Asshole. ‘My.’ I stare at the words. Does she mean it like that? Or is she just being Bri? Because Bri is affectionate with everyone but… No, she’s just being friendly and I’m reading too much into one tiny little word. I’m being utterly ridiculous, and yet a stupid grin keeps threatening to spread across my face anyway.
Enzo clears his throat. “I get breakfast?”
I’d completely forgotten he was still standing there and when I look at him, he’s grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
“Ahh, you are love-sick to eat, sì?”
“I am not…”
A deep laugh escapes him. “I just mess you, it’s fun no,” he shrugs, looking very smug.
I huff a laugh. “Very good Enzo, very good. I’ll have another coffee and some pastries please.”
He nods once, turning to leave, he mumbles, “you two make good couple, I just say.”
I laugh despite myself.
Standing, I carry the book over to the sofa area, planning to soak up some sun with breakfast whilst reading one or two chapters.
One or two turns into five. Then ten. Until I’m fully horizontal on the outdoor sofa, sunlight warming my legs while I tear through page after page completely hooked. The book is phenomenal. Not good. Not impressive for a first novel. Phenomenal. The world-building is ridiculously immersive; ancient magic systems, political tensions between kingdoms, forests that feel alive in unsettling ways, dragons woven into mythology so naturally it feels historical rather than fantasy. Every character is layered and real and painfully human beneath all the magic. And the romance? Christ, I’m invested to an embarrassing degree.
At one point Enzo silently appears beside me holding a bowl of pasta because apparently, I’ve missed lunch entirely. “You no move in three hours,” he informs me.
“I lost track of time, thank you for bringing me lunch.”
“The book good?” he asks.
