Page 58 of Mafia Shade's Reluctant Bride
He leaned down slightly, smirking. “Goodbye, fiancée.”
I felt his gaze linger, heavy and deliberate like he was peeling back every layer of composure I had left. I swallowed hard, willing my pulse to settle, but it was impossible with the way he looked at me—like he was seeing something no one else ever had and like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
I turned on my heel before he could see my face heat up and my cheeks fluster at the sound of his voice and the word fiancée.
Matteo was already in the car, buckling himself in. I slid into the driver’s seat and glanced at him. “Did you have fun today?”
Matteo nodded. “A lot,” he said in an excited tone.
“Good.”
“Especially with Lorenzo.” I stilled and then looked at him, but he wasn’t paying attention to me. He was just staring out the window, his voice soft.
“I wish Lorenzo was my dad.”
My breath caught. For a second, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even think.
“Matteo—”
But he just smiled, oblivious to the way my heart clenched.
“Can we play dodgeball again sometime?”
I forced a smile, even though my hands felt cold on the steering wheel.
“Yeah, baby. Of course.”
But inside, my mind was spinning because I knew Lorenzo wasn’t staying, and Matteo was already getting attached. And that scared me more than anything.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MARIA
This was ridiculous. It wasn’t even a real date.
Yet, here I was, knee-deep in my closet, throwing dresses around like some lovesick teenager about to pick a prom dress that would help her get laid tonight.
Kayla was perched on my bed, watching me with a smirk. “Maria—”
“No,” I snapped, yanking another dress off the hanger. “Not this one,” I threw a black bodycon dress on the floor.
She laughed. “You like him.”
I froze. “I do not!”
Kayla grinned. “You do. Look at you! You’ve changed outfits four times and nearly strangled yourself with a hanger.”
I huffed, shoving a dress against my body and eyeing it in the mirror. Too much cleavage. Lorenzo would make a comment. I tossed it aside.
“This is just a fake date,” I muttered. “PDA, remember? You know, ‘convince the world we’re madly in love’? That’s all.”
Kayla raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. And that’s why you’re acting like this? You like him. Just admit it and have peace.” She winced at me.
I threw my hands up. “He’s annoying! He’s my brother’s best friend! And—honestly, anyone who voluntarily hangs out with Luca is already a red flag.”
Kayla burst out laughing. “Luca is not that bad.”
I gasped dramatically. “Now, who likes who?”
