Page 60 of Quake

She jumps up and down excitedly before saying, “I’m so happy for you, Gi, seriously. You deserve the best things in this world, and I really think Lark is good for you. She’s a good person.”

“She is a good person, but she’s also dealing with a breakup, and it’s not like we’re dating. I have no clue what we’re doing, but I wouldn’t get too excited if I were you.”

“Alright, I’m going to let you simmer in that for however long you need. Let me know if you need me to watch Pickles again in the future.” She smiles, leaning in for a quick hug before leaving.

Chapter thirty-three

Gianni

Saturday, March 29, 2025

My chest heaves, panting as I work to calm my ragged breath. “How does it get better every time?” Lark whispers.

“Practice makes perfect,” I joke.

“Yeah, well, that was enough practice for tonight. I swear, you’re going to break me.”

“And that would be a bad thing?” I tease.

“No,” is all she says.

Well, alright then.

I roll out of her bed, gathering everything I need to clean her up. When I’m done, she’s lying on her back, eyes closed, with a content smile spread across her swollen lips.

“Alright, you start,” she says.

“Start what?” I ask in confusion.

“Pick a question.”

The fact that she wants to get to know me further thrills me and worries me all at once, but I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. “Favorite animal?”

“That’s fucked up, Gianni,” she says in outrage. “I’m aveterinarian. I can’t pick just one!”

“Yes,” I say with a chuckle, “you can. No skipping questions.”

“This is really cruel,” she mumbles. I hear her hum thoughtfully before finally answering, “Dogs. I know,I know,so boring, but they’re just so unique. So many sizes, color variations, unique features, and personality traits. They express themselves in such interesting ways, and I just adore how unconditionally they give their affection. If more people were like them, the world would be a better place.”

“That’s a solid answer, actually. I’ll accept dogs,” I tell her with a nod of approval.

“Your turn.”

“For pets, dogs are my favorite. But for wildlife, I think the titi monkey is pretty cool. They’re super loving but also display jealousy, and they mate for life. Something about that just seems so simple and easy to understand.”

She snorts. “There’s also the fact that their name sounds like titties. That alone makes them pretty great.”

“Agreed.” I chuckle.

“Okay, what about your family? Tell me something about your siblings.”

I allow the question, assuming she won’t make me speak too much about this. “I’m the second youngest of five. My oldest brother is Alessandro, Dante and Luca are the same age, and then my sister, Charlie, is the youngest.”

“You said you’re adopted, right?”

I swallow around the lump forming in my throat and keep this short and sweet, attempting to avoid further questioning. “Yep. Dante, Charlie, and I were adopted when I was two. Our parents passed away in a motor vehicle accident.” I decide to provide this detail, knowing if I don’t, she’ll probably ask eventually, anyway.

Her hand snakes out, wrapping around mine and squeezing gently.

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