Page 132 of Can't Always Get What You Want

I feel horrible.

But it works. Somehow, impossibly, Gio exhales like he’s choosing not to engage any further. “Fine. Whatever. I’m not going to argue with you.”

I agree. He shouldn’t argue with me.

Then, mercifully, my brother checks the gold Rolex encircling his wrist. “I should probably get this food home. Austin’s starving and Vivian was having a meltdown when I checked in.”

Gio’s gaze flickers to Luca, then back to me. “Are you still planning on coming over?”

And just like that, we’re back in dangerous waters.

My stomach twists violently. I open my mouth to respond, stalling because there isn’t an actual answer. I’d lied to his face. Lied to Luca, too. I don’t want to drive to his house tonight. I never intended to.

Luca doesn’t even look at me—but the tightness in his body sharpens again. His knee nudges mine like a silent warning:Choose your words carefully.

So I do.

“If you want,” I offer, all faux-bright and bubbly. “Iwasgoing to bring food.”

Beside me, Luca doesn’t twitch. Doesn’t exhale. Just sips from his drink.

“Don’t bother,” Gio says, distracted now as he checks his phone. “It’s fine—it’s late. We don’t have enough food for three people anyway.”

It’s not fine.

It’s absolutely not fine.

“Text me next time,” he tells me.

“I will.” I stand to hug him, wrapping my arms around my brother’s neck, standing on my tiptoes to do so. “I’ll probably hang around with him if he doesn’t mind.” I nod my head toward Luca. “Little sisters and all that.”

“You’re not little and you’re not his sister.”

Don’t I know it…

“Obviously not,” I say with a twinkly laugh, pretending to tease. “But someone has to keep him humble.”

Luca, to his credit, doesn’t so much as twitch. Doesn’t glance at me or fumble the lie we’ve silently agreed to maintain. But I can see it simmering.

The tension in his shoulders.

The tightness in his jaw. The slight flare of his nostrils.

There’s a tic in his temple, pulsing faintly.

His hands, relaxed on the bar seconds ago, have stilled.

Luca was right.

I am so much trouble.

28

luca

Nova is correct.

She humbled me.

---