Page 102 of Just This Once

Ian rolls his eyes, but Clara continues, undeterred. “Nicole’s the other group director, so you can play good cop, bad cop.”

His reaction to that news is minuscule, but I notice it. The rigidity of his posture, the rise and fall of his Adam’s apple when he swallows. I would bet my entireI Love Lucycollection that he’s got a thing for her, but he would never act on it. Not while she’s married.

My phone buzzes on the table, and I glance down to see a text from Dante. It’s a picture of him and Frankie on the floor next to Tortellini munching on lettuce. It took an hour of Dante edging me in the bedroom for me to finally give up the ghost and allow him to set up Tortellini’s terrarium in the living room.

Dante

are you coming home soon?

Dante

we all require pets

I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips, and everyone—my brothers and best friends—all shoot their attention to me as if they’ve never heard me laugh before.

Griffin raises his brows in silent question.Since when do you giggle?

I don’t giggle. At least, I didn’t before Dante. Now, laughter seems to come easy, bubbling up from a place inside me that I thought had dried up long ago.

“What’s so funny?” Clara asks, trying to peek at my phone.

I angle the screen, showing her the picture, and she goes all gooey. “Aww, that’s adorable. You two are sickeningly cute, you know that?”

I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face. “I know.”

Ian clears his throat, bringing the conversation back to the present. “So, about this cleanup…”

As they discuss the details, I find my mind drifting back to Dante, to the life we’re building together.

Who would’ve thoughtjust this oncewould turn intofor always?

Definitely not me.

But Dante? He always knew.

Famous last words.

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