Page 100 of Broken Deal

Me and Damian snort at that.

“Good luck withthat,” I say.

“The girl he’s pining for couldn’t hate him more—it’s humanlyimpossible,” Damian adds.

Matteo glares at both of us, hissing, “Shut up.”

“People do say there’s a fine line between love and hate,” Ivy pipes up.

“Does that mean I have a chance with you?” Julian says, appearing out of nowhere.

“Where the fuck did you come from?” I frown.

“He’s always here when I work.” Ivy rolls her eyes.

“Dude.” Matteo barks a laugh. “That’s borderline creepy.”

Damian shrugs. “I think it’s endearing.”

“Says the guy who stalked his now fiancée,” I mutter, shaking my head in disbelief.

Julian shoots Matteo an annoyed glare. “Can’t I hang out with my favorite girl?”

If I didn’t know any better, I would think Ivy’s cheeks are blushing. “You’re an idiot, Julian. Déjame en paz?2.”

“I’ll wear you down one day,” he replies confidently, winking at her.

“In your dreams, pretty boy. I don’t date Puerto Ricans.”

Matteo tilts his head, confused. “Aren’tyouPuerto Rican, though?”

Ivy gives Matteo an exasperated look. “Exactly.”

“You wound me,” Julian says with an exaggerated sigh, rubbing his chest in circles.

“I have a feeling after you find your flavor of the night you’ll bejustfine.” She makes a shooing motion. “Now, leave me alone.”

He thins his lips and shakes his head, walking away.

“That guy has it bad for you,” Matteo points out.

She shakes her head. “He just wants what he can’t have.”

I nod. “I agree. I consider him a friend, but that guy is a mess. Don’t fall for it, Ivy.”

Matteo gives me an incredulous look. “If you could change, why can’t he?”

“Enzo has always been a good man. Julian is an overgrown child, end of story,” Ivy snaps, her tone serious.

We all share a look as Ivy busies herself cleaning some whiskey glasses. Ivy tells me everything, but there’s something I must be missing here. It’s rare to see herlosing her cool.

“What are you going to do about Sophia?” Matteo asks.

I scrub my face with my left hand, pondering. “I just need to keep showing up for her.”

Damian gives me an approving nod. Knowing him, that’s the most I’m going to get out of him.

“Attaboy,” Ivy squeaks. “You got this.”

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