Page 21 of Christmas Vows with the Devil

We stare at each other, so many unspoken words and emotions passing between us.

I should have come up with some sort of lie.

“And how old is Matteo?” His tone is relaxed. Light. Like he’s not doing the math and coming up with the same undesirable answer every time.

Lie, Gia. Lie, dammit.

“He’s…” I hesitate.

“Oh, there you are!” Aunt Carla’s shrill voice cuts in.

I shoot off the sofa, thanking my lucky stars for Aunt Carla’s existence at this very moment.

“Gia, I need a favor.” She pads over to me, eyeing Dante knowingly. He’s busy bundling up a length of red streamers, studiously keeping his gaze on the hardwood floor.

“Anything.” I mean it, too. I’d rather amputate my own arm than continuethatconversation.

“We’re missing quite a lot of ingredients and supplies from our list,” she explains. “Lucia’s fault, not mine, of course.”

“Of course,” I answer graciously.

“Well, you know my little convertible can’t handle the snow, and neither can my eyesight.”

Dante and I both smile politely as she laughs to herself.

Perfect. An excuse to get the hell out of this house for a few hours.

“I’ll go!” I jump in, eager to get away. “It’s no problem.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Gia. Thank you.”

I start to gather the streamers I dropped in my haste to get away, piling them on the sofa. Dante can amuse himself with that shitty task, thank you very much.

“You know…” Aunt Carla begins and I immediately stiffen. I know that tone.

She’s got something up her sleeve and it’s not going to work out in my favor.

“The snow is really coming down out there. I’d feel much safer if you weren’t driving around alone.”

No.

“Dante, dear?”

God, no.

The false note in her voice makes me cringe.

Don’t say it.

“Why don’t you and Gia head out together? Your vehicle looks sturdy enough to handle the snow.”

Dante is the first to speak. “Of course. I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.”

I stare angrily at Aunt Carla as she winks at me.

“Great! Gia, come along. I’ll write out a list for you two.”

I trail after Carla, shooting daggers at her back the entire time. I know I’m acting like a sullen teenager but really—the meddling old ladies need to give it a rest.

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