Page 87 of Hexed
Or worse.
So even though it hurts, even though it’s against what I’m feeling in my body, my intuition, my goddamn soul, I reach out and push off his chest, separating us and ending the moment.
Because no matter how badly I might want him…
Enzo isn’t mine to have.
And I’m not worth the fallout there would be if we gave in.
TWENTY
ENZO
It’s beenthree days since the boardwalk with Venesa, and I can’t get her out of my head.
Plus, it’s August 18.
Her birthday.
A day I know she’d rather forget.
Right now, I’m on the Kingstons’ private beach, walking down the shoreline until I’m far enough away from the estate that I feel confident the cameras aren’t picking me up and no one has followed me.
“So what’s the problem?” Gio asks, his voice gruff in my ear.
I adjust my phone and glance around one last time before replying, “What makes you think there’s a problem?”
He chuckles. “You just let me talk to you about bullshit for the past twenty minutes. When have youeverlet me do that?”
“It’s not my fault you talk so much.”
“You love me. Don’t deny it.”
I find a spot on the sand and sit down, blowing out a deep breath so I can force the words I’m trying to find into the air. Once I say them, I won’t be able to take them back, and even though they’re just to Gio, they’re still hard to get out.
Saying it out loud makes it real.
“What do you think the chances are that Pops lets me cancel this wedding?” I finally blurt.
Gio’s silent.
I roll my eyes and lean my head back to stare up at the sky, squinting from the sun. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.”
“Listen, I’d love it if you could cut the bitch off, but we both know your dad is never gonna go for it. Not unless you can offer him something better. Somethingmore.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and rest my elbows on my knees. I feel like I can’t breathe.
A tingle of awareness shoots up my spine, and my eyes pop open. I can’t help this eerie feeling like I’m being watched. I glance around but don’t see anyone.
I’m losing my fucking mind.
“Do you?” Gio presses. “Have something better to offer?”
Better? Yes. Something my pops will approve of? Fuck no.
Besides, I don’t. Not really. It’s not like I want tomarryVenesa. That’s crazy. I don’t even know her. Only…it feels like I do. Feels like I always have, if I’m being honest.
Not that it matters. This entire conversation is ridiculous.I’mbeing ridiculous.
