Page 87 of Frayed Bonds

“For this morning, everything just got too much for me and I exploded.”

“Everything? What do you mean, ‘everything’?” his brows furrow.

“The brush, the shower gel and the skincare things.”

“What? Some toiletries made you upset? Did I buy the wrong things, or?”

“No, it's quite the opposite. It’s perfect, too perfect. That's how things with Mattheo started and it all just felt a bit overwhelming. Like I was watching history repeat itself.”

I stay silent for a bit looking down at where my hands are holding onto her wrists. “I understand that he ruined so much for you, I really do. I just hope from my actions and words you can come to understand that I will never treat you the way he has. I care about you, sweetheart, a lot.”

“I know, and that's what scares me.”

“Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but you can’t decide who cares about you. I’ll be here patiently waiting for you to be ready." I lift her jaw so that our eyes meet again.

“I’m sorry I said that everything was none of your concern, I just haven’t had anyone else care that way before.”

“It's okay, baby steps. Everything I do for you, sweetheart, is because I care. Remember that.”

Chapter thirty-six

Valerie

The waiter pours me a glass and I smile because of course, it’s my favourite wine. Of course, he knows exactly which one I prefer, down to the year.

He sits with a smug look on his face until the waiter leaves, “Are you happy with the wine choice?”

“How did you know?” I ask, taking a sip of the delicious wine.

“I am a wine connoisseur.”

I roll my eyes and chuckle. “You're so full of yourself.”

“You could be full of me too, just say the word.” He sips his wine and I nearly choke on mine.

“If I wanted to have a dinner filled with innuendos, I’d go out with Adriano and Gus.”

Ambrose's face sours so quickly that I can’t even stop myself from laughing. “I’m kidding. What’s going on with you guys anyway?”

“What do you mean? How do oysters for starters sound?” He lifts a menu so it partially obstructs his face. I raise my brow at his obvious avoidance of the topic.

“I hate oysters, they taste like phlegm, and you know exactly what I mean. I know you and Adriano are close but I never see you and Gus alone in a room for more than five minutes at a time. Not to mention what happened at your papa's funeral.”

His green eyes flash to mine from above the menu and from the darkness behind them I can tell I've struck a nerve, but before I can get any more details the waiter returns and we place our orders for starters and mains.

He sighs as soon as the waiter leaves. “Adriano and I have always been the closest amongst our brothers. He’s the most mature out of the three of them.” He shrugs.

“I’m surprised you and Enzo aren't closer since you're practically the same age.”

A smile runs over Ambrose's face and he shakes his head. “Over my father’s dead body, he’s too much like his father for us to ever be close. I’ve never seen someone so rich, be so desperate for money, the way that he is.”

“He is a bit weird, but back to Gus, it doesn't just seem like you guys aren't close–it looks like more.”

Another sigh. “For someone who gave me shit about prying this morning, you're feeling awfully chatty.”

I shrug, knowing he’s right. “I am, I’m sorry, you don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“I wouldn't say uncomfortable…” He runs a hand over the stubble on his face. I noticed he didn't shave this morning and he usually purposefully doesn’t when he knows he has a stressful day ahead. “More so angry,” he finishes

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