Page 122 of Broken Deal

“Then stop talking nonsense.”

“Hey.” I lift my chin at Matteo, changing the subject. “How’s it going with the missus?”

He scrubs his face and lets out a long sigh.

I wince. “That bad?”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Not bad at all. Just an adjustment now that I’ve moved in.”

“I can’t believe she let you move in. Her place is like a personal temple.”

He gives me a knowing look. “Exactly. The place is ridiculously small, but hey, whatever the wifey wants, she gets.”

Damian fake coughs, muttering, “Pussy-whipped.”

Matteo glares at him. “Like you’re one to talk.”

The girls and my mom come out of the house with the last few items. Aria walks straight into Damian’s arms for a tight hug, while Isabella throws daggers at Matteo with her eyes as she heads toward my car. Whatever’s going on between them, I don’t get it. But hey, there’s a fine linebetween love and hate, and I’m positive those two will be crossing it at any time.

“The guys are going to drop the stuff at the apartment, and we’ll go to the hotel and have some fun. Yeah?” Aria says, linking our arms as we walk to my car.

“I’m going with the guys, too, want to get my room settled tonight,” Mom says, waving her hand as she gets into the truck.

I look at Aria with a frown, shaking my head. “I have to be there to help them unload.”

Aria waves her hand dismissively. “They can handle that. You are going to the hotel with us. You can’t say no to a bride; it’s bad luck!”

“How long are you going to keep using that excuse?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“You’d be happy to know we’re getting married in December.” Aria beams.

I stop dead in my tracks. “Wait. That’s in like two months! How are we going to have time to plan?”

“Relax.” She laughs. “We’re having a small ceremony in Italy, only close friends and family. Turns out planning is too damn stressful.”

I shriek with excitement and hug her tightly. “I can’t believe you’re officially becoming Mrs. Romano,” I groan, overwhelmed. “I can’t believe both of my best friends are married ladies!”

“You could be in the same boat…” she singsongs, teasing me.

“Yeah? Do you see any prospects lining up?” I rest a hand on my hip, feeling the familiar pang of disappointment. “Besides, you know me.”

“Have you heard from him?” Aria’s tone shifts, becoming more serious.

I shrug, avoiding her gaze. “No.” Not that I expected anything from him, anyway. We said what we needed to say.

“I’m sure you’ll hear from him.” Aria shrugs, her tone laced with a conviction I wish I could believe. My best friend has always managed to see the good in everything, and while I’m all for that, I don’t think that’s the case. Sure, Lorenzo and I had a lot in common and a connection I’ve never had with anyone before, but that can only get you so far.

You just keep lying to yourself, even though you know if he were right in front of you, you would give him another chance.

I’ve thought about that a lot. I miss his friendship and the way he cared for me. I miss laughing every time he guessed the title of the show or movie I’m quoting. I miss our conversations and how everything flowed between us so easily, like we were always meant to find each other and pick up where we left off in a past life.

It’s funny to think when I met him I didn’t believe in destiny, thought it was a fairy tale. And in a way, it may still be. But now, after experiencing what it was like to fall in love with the last person I thought possible, destiny seems like a real possibility. Falling in love with him felt like discovering a piece of myself I didn’t know was missing. And even though that piece was ripped out of me, I wouldn’t change a thing. The memories will live in my head for the rest of my life, and I can’t help but feel grateful for them.

The last thing I wanted to do was go out, but the girlsinsisted on making a whole day out of it. I’m talking spa, manicures and pedicures, the whole nine yards. I’m trying not to dwell on the fact that, once they leave, it’ll just be Mom and me again. So, I’m soaking up every last moment with my best friends.

“Is curling my hair really necessary? It’s only dinner, Aria.”

“When was the last time we all got ready like this and actually had fun? When did you become such a buzzkill?” Aria teases.

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