Page 126 of My Sweetest Temptation

“Really?” I replied. “I hope that’s a good thing.”

Dan hesitated, his expression darkening momentarily before he regained his composure. “Yes, it’s a very good thing. Just someone from a long time ago. Sometimes,” Dan continued, his eyes searching mine, “the past has a way of surfacing when you least expect it.”

I was unsure of how to respond to that, but a part of me experienced a deep sense of sorrow for him. He must have lost someone who meant a great deal to him. I gave him a small smile and walked out the door.

Wrapping my coat tightly around me, I stepped outside, and the crisp air nipped at my cheeks. After taking a few steps down the path, an instinct urged me to turn around.

With a heavy heart, I turned on my heel and headed toward the car. We piled into the car to drop Tabi and Tristan off at her place.

“Are you okay?” Tabi asked.

“Um, yeah. I’m just feeling full and tired,” I lied, not wanting to dwell on how Dan’s pain made me feel like I wanted to burrow beneath the covers for days on end.

“So, Nico’s place, huh?” Tabi teased, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously while Tristan was absorbed in his Switch.

“Yeah, but it’s not like I have much of a choice,” I scoffed.

“Of course you do,” she retorted, her tone light but her gaze sharp. “You just have to say no.”

My head whipped around to face her, incredulous. “You do realize it’s Nico, right?” I could feel Enzo’s quiet laughter in the front seat, and I shot him a glare, but he merely winked back.

“Even if I say no, he’ll still hunt me down. There’s no escaping him,” I muttered, letting my head fall back against the seat.

Tabi burst into laughter, an infectious sound that filled the car. “Yeah, it’s so horrible to have a hot-as-sin man wanting to be with you.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “What a tragedy!”

“Shut up,” I muttered.

She continued to tease me before we reached her place. I leaned over to kiss her cheek and ruffle Tristan’s hair before saying goodbye.

“Text me the details,” she said with a wink, but I quickly shut the door, trying to suppress a smile. Her laughter followed us as we pulled away.

Enzo drove in silence while my mind drifted back to memories of my parents, the ache of missing them settling in my chest like an unwelcome visitor.

Before I knew it, we had arrived, and the car door swung open to reveal Nico, his presence commanding and intense. He looked so sexy in a black shirt paired with a wine-colored blazer and matching trousers.

Without uttering a word, he reached for my hand, and I took it willingly, feeling the warmth radiate from his skin against mine.

As I stepped out of the car, our fingers intertwined naturally, and we walked up the steps of his home. When we reached the double doors, the butler stood poised, holding the door open for us.

“Good evening, Miss Winter,” he said, offering a slight bow.

“Hello,” I replied with a smile.

“Come on,” Nico said, taking my coat and handing it to the butler. We walked hand in hand toward the music room, the laughter and chatter growing louder.

As soon as we entered, Demon bounded toward me, and I could feel everyone’s eyes on us. Mya, her son, Matteo, Luca, Lo, Serafina, and Luca’s parents were all gathered, their focus shifting to me.

“Hi everyone,” I said with a wave.

“Winter!” Mya was wearing a beautiful romper with her hair pulled halfway up and a drink in hand. “So happy you’re here.” She pulled me in for a hug. “How was your holiday?”

“It was good. I had a great time.”

Just then, her son came running at me, his little arms outstretched. “Winter! Winter!”

I laughed, bending down to scoop him into my arms. “Hey there! How are you?” I asked, setting him down gently.

“Good. Wanna play with me?” He held up a set of Legos.

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