Page 19 of Burn for You

“I’ll be there.” Vanessa is hosting a dinner party at her place tomorrow night for Ferragosto. It’s a holiday that marks the peak of summer. The rest of the country slows down over the next two weeks, with lots of places closing up shop to take vacations near the water. At least that’s what I’ve gathered. But Ruby Cove hasn’t slowed down. I’ve never seen so many people here. It seems it’s the place lots of people like to spend their time off in. But most of the town will be closed tomorrow, everyone taking the day to celebrate, including me.

“Good, I hope you're ready to help me with dessert.” Vanessa winks before they escape out the front door, the bell above it jingling as they go.

I yawn as I flip the chairs up onto the tables, and a wave of nausea nearly knocks me from my feet. God, maybe I do really need an early night.

I do a mediocre vacuum of the floors, and lock up in the next half hour, doing my best to get out of there as quickly as possible, before I remember I have to walk home.

“Ugh,” I groan, and it makes my head pulse.Ow.

Maybe the crisp air will be good for me, and at least this time I’m wearing sensible shoes.

chapter eight

RAFAEL

“Freshly caught this morning,ragazzo mio,”Luca says as he tosses shrimp in the fry pan next to me.

“They smell delicious,” Leo chimes in from where he’s sitting on the other side of the island, watching us work.

I toss an olive over at him. “You could help, you know.”

He catches the olive, giving me a wide grin as he pops it in his mouth. “Too many cooks in the kitchen,” he shrugs.

I shake my head before filling the pan with oil. I met Leo when we were only teenagers, and he’s always been a little shit. But I’ve always loved him. Everyone has.

As much as he’s a little shit, he’s a fierce protector. Hell, he got banned from Ruby Cove events because he threw a punch defending a random woman he’d never met before. The guy has a heart of gold, and he’s always had my back. When I was a kid at school, I was always closer to my family than anyone my age. But when they died, these guys rallied around me. Caio and Leo were some of the only people I wanted to see. And the only people that forced me out of bed on the hard days.

I have a feeling he’s having some hard days now too, but he masks it with his cheeky grin and thinks no one can see. But I can see. I just need to find the time to ask him what’s really going on.

“No! I need your help.” Vanessa’s voice interrupts my train of thought.

“Isn’t this like your specialty that you make all the time?” Another voice.May.

I look over my shoulder to see her being dragged into the kitchen.

“Yeah, yeah,” Vanessa replies, waving her hand in dismissal. “I just need to get them in the fridge. Pass me the ramekins,principessa.”

May is right—this is Vanessa’s specialty, and she could make panna cotta with her eyes closedandher hands tied. So why she’s dragging May into my vicinity is unknown.

“In this cupboard.” Luca points to the cupboard right where I’m standing, searing calamari in the pan.Of coursethey are.

“Muoviti, Rafael,” Vanessa says.

I gesture towards the pan. “I can’t move. This pan is on high heat. If I cook these too long, you’ll all be cursing me at the dinner table.”

“It’s fine,” May says. “I’ll just…” She awkwardly bends down beside me, pulling open the cupboard until it hits my shins.

“Merda,” I curse, looking down at her.

She just scowls up at me. “Do you mind?”

“I do, actually. I’m trying not to overcook the calamari.”

“God, you really do like to make everything difficult, don’t you?”

I just take a step back, allowing her to open the cupboard and grab her ramekins so she can get out of my space. I’m already annoyed by it.

She stands up, giving me a fake smile before she hands the dishes to Vanessa.

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