Page 32 of Masked Hearts

I can feel him everywhere and I don’t know what to do. I’m searing hot, and all I want is to jump into a pool of ice water to try and cool off.

I throw back both shots and vaguely hear Eleanor say something about my father and brother being pissed off.

“I can’t believe that just happened,” I say more to myself. I turn and catch a glimpse of Adriano catching the garter before running to Antonio, who breaks out into laughter. Hisperfectsmile is on full display. He looks so carefree, so natural. It looks so real.

“Good thing it’s not real.” Eleanor’s words are the record scratch I need to come back to reality.

“You’re right. None of this is real.” It eases my thumping heartbeat, and the DJ calls me back to the dance floor.

I grab her wrist and drag her with me. “C’mon, at least try and catch it.”

All the beautiful ladies from both mine and Antonio’s family line the dance floor, and I even spot Gianna in the front row–much to her son’s dismay.

The red-haired girl who’s been walking around with Valerie is also right in front, arms out, clearly ready to go to war for my bouquet.

I turn my back to all of them and stumble a bit as the alcohol settles in my stomach. Giggles erupt as I repeat Eleanor’s words.

It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not real.

And with that, I toss the flowers over my head and turn to see them fly over the redhead’s head and land perfectly in a small girl’s hands towards the back. She immediately beams as everyone walks off the dance floor, the redhead looking slightly dejected as she returns to Valerie and Ambrose.

For the second time tonight, I stand awkwardly in the middle of the dance floor until my eyes meet Antonio’s. He motions his head for me to come over to him. I second guess it for a second, but when he raises a brow, I realise it wasn’t much of a suggestion.

I join him near our table and watch as the girl from earlier runs towards Augustus.

“I caught it, isn’t that exciting?” She wriggles her eyebrows at him. He looks down at her with the most apathetic expression I’ve ever seen before shrugging.

“I guess, but it’s all an old wives’ tale, anyway,” he says.

My heart breaks for her as I see her deflate at his words. I know that innocent hope in fate all too well. The hope that maybe fate will have them get married next, the hope that Adriano does as well or the blind hope that fate would have this entire thing with Antonio work out in the end.

I look up at Antonio and find his green eyes already on mine.

“Hi.”

It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not real.

“Hi,” I say.

“Antonio, come on, we’re taking pictures,” Mattia says, grabbing his arm before going to grab Gus as well.

I meet the eyes of the girl and motion her over with my hand.

“I’m Theá.”

“Selena, Augustus’ girlfriend.”

“Oh wow, I didn’t know he was dating anyone, how long have you been together?”

“Nearly ten years.” She smiles, but it doesn’t meet her eyes.

Fuck, that makes it even worse. It’s one thing if they were simply a fling or date for tonight. But to be with him for nearly ten years and have that be his reaction is a stab right in the gut.

“Does Adriano have the garter around his neck like a collar?” Selena asks.

“At least this way, someone will finally be able to keep him on a leash,” a voice says from next to us. I turn to see Valerie and a redhead.

Selena bursts out into a chuckle while my spine stiffens as I come face to face with Valerie. She’s gorgeous with long, caramel blonde hair, and it’s easy to see why Antonio is obsessed with her.

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