Page 29 of Broken Deal

She fixes me with an icy stare that makes my cock twitch. Mmm, being burned by her stare is not the worst feeling in the world. It’s electrifying. Intense. Sharp. But what I like most about it is knowing her attention is fixed onme.

“You know the one. Here’s what I’m thinking, okay? You refrain from any inappropriate comments so I can do this interview, and then we will go our separate ways.”

I tap my left cheek with my index finger, pondering. “I thought you wanted to write a story about my life. Thereal meor whatever.” I make air quotes with my fingers.

She begins drumming her fingers on the table. “Yes, and?”

“What makes you think interviews are enough?”

What are you doing, man?

I have no idea what the fuck I’m doing, I’m figuring it out as I go. That’s the only way to live. Planning every single aspect of your life is boring. I’m the prime example of that—hence why I try to live in the moment as much as I can. My life has been controlled, my future planned, since I was a kid, and this is the only way I can get some sense of normality.

She nods, her shoulders sagging in defeat as she realizes I’m right. “Okay, so what do you propose?”

Before I can stop myself, I blurt. “Spend the summer with me.”

Am I becoming hard of hearing? Have I somehow entered the twilight zone? There’s no way Lorenzo Mancini just told me to spend the summer with him.

My shoulders tighten as I lift my chin a bit. “Excuse me?”

He sits up straighter in his chair. “If you want to write a good piece, spend the summer with me. That’s the only way you’ll be able to get anything worthwhile. Sitting in these stupid interviews won’t make any difference.”

This is crazy. This man has officially lost his damn mind. I’m barely okay with being here with him, what makes him think this is a good idea?

It may be crazy enough to work…

No. It won’t.

“Lorenzo, this is the stupidest thing you’ve said since I met you,” I say flatly.

He shakes his head adamantly. “Think about it. You’ll get to see my day-to-day, what I do during and outside work. My travels, what I get up to. It’s a good idea.” He waves his handat my journal. “You’ll get plenty of stuff, and I don’t have to sit in these interviews that, honestly, are quite boring.”

I take a sip of my coffee, hoping to soothe my suddenly dry throat. Of course, the coffee doesn’t help, and I wish I had some water near me instead.

Those are some good points. I do want to write a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. Being his shadow is the perfect way to see more behind the scenes. I’ll be able to get something good out of it. Because it doesn’t matter how many questions I ask, he’s not going to be honest with me. That feeling in my gut is telling me to do it. But the logical part of me is shouting at me.

Don’t do it!

Stupidest idea ever!

Walk away right now!

“If we’re doing this…” He perks up, and I quickly point a finger at him. “Don’t get your hopes up, I’m not saying I am. But if I accept, we definitely need some ground rules. I’m done playing games with you.”

“You can come up with whatever ground rules you need to make yourself feel comfortable,” he says, his tone sincere. “Come on, Blue,” he urges. “Be a part of my world for the summer. It could be fun,” he singsongs, extending his hand so I can shake it in agreement. “Deal?”

I look at his extended hand, and before I know it, my hand takes a life of its own to shake his. “Deal,” I reply, unconvinced.

He shakes his head with a grin. “Look at that. You made your first deal, the correct way.”

Why do I have the feeling I just made a deal with the devil?

And worse, why am I looking forward to it?

I think I made a mistake.

No. I mostdefinitelymade a mistake by telling the girls the crazy agreement I entered with Lorenzo Mancini. As soon as we shook on what I’m convinced is the stupidest deal I’ve ever made, I left the coffee shop with him promising he was going to reach out. I’m terrified, and I am almost hoping he regrets it and decides to do the interviews instead. I called the girls to have an emergency girls’ meeting, and now here I am in front of a stunned Aria and Isabella.

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