Page 110 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

I laugh to myself, this entire text thread filling me with joy.

I love the way he always leans in, always engages—even when the topic is as heavy as future kids or family or the stress he’s feeling at work. He doesn’t shy away.

He meets me there, every time.

Gio Montagalo is a walking green flag.

Gio: Shit, babe. Gotta go. Talk to you later, sweet tits.

Sweet tits?

“Sweet tits,” I repeat, muttering under my breath at his audacity. Should I let him get away with that one? Probably not. Will I?

Absolutely.

And just like that, he’s gone…

The three text bubbles disappear, leaving me left staring at my phone, grinning like an idiot. I set it down, taking a deep breath as I try to refocus on my work.

Minutes pass, maybe longer, and just as I’m starting to make progress on the stack of tasks in front of me, my phone buzzes again. I glance at it, expecting another message from Gio. Instead, I’m met with a text from an unexpected sender.

227-555-0495: Hey Austin, it’s Gio’s sister.

Me: Hey Nova! What’s up?

Nova: This is going to sound so awkward—and I should have apologized sooner but getting your number from my brother was an impossible feat.

I wait.

Nova: Anyway. I’ve been wanting to apologize for the other morning. I am SO SORRY and it will never happen again. I violated your privacy and feel like an asshole.

I swivel in my desk chair, worrying my bottom lip as I message her back.

Me: I promise it’s not a big deal. Awkward, sure, but we all survived.

Nova: You’re honestly cool about this. I get why Gio is head over heels for you. He won’t stop talking about you, by the way. I love seeing him so happy.

Head over heels for me?

I bite my lip, warmth spreading through me at the thought of Gio talking about me like that. It’s one thing to hear his flirty one-liners or feel the weight of his attention when we’re together, but knowing he talks about me like this to his sister?

It feels like a big deal.

She’s the closest person to him.

I haven’t met any of his friends or teammates yet, but I’ve met her, and know how much she means to him. Meeting her feels like having been handed a tiny, fragile piece of his world—something I’m discovering he doesn’t share with everyone.

His sister is beautiful, vibrant, and sharp—with this infectious energy that makes me want to get to know her on a more personal level.

Another message comes through.

Nova: You guys are disgustingly cute, and I’m here for it.

I cannot wait to share this with Dolly—wondering if any of my friends have time for a girls’ night on such short notice, disappointed when they respond and can’t make it for another few weeks.

Dammit.

Everyone is so busy.

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