Page 15 of Wicked Knight

My heart pumped so hard, I couldn’t stop shaking. There was a time when I would’ve killed to get an early morning call from Luca, to have a secret rendezvous with him. But that time was years ago. I wasn’t that silly girl anymore. I shot to my feet, grabbed the phone, and marched to the kitchen where I threw it in one of the cupboards.

I spent the rest of the day working on chem homework and a research paper for humanities.When Enzo came home that night, I was already dressed for dinner. For some reason that I was sure had nothing to do with Luca, I had gone all out with my hair and makeup and even decided to wear a dress that was way too hot and dressy for just dinner with a friend.

“Jesus.” Enzo did a double take when he came downstairs in a tailored suit. “You look stunning.”

“Oh, this old thing?” I waved my hand in dismissal. “I wanted to feel pretty for a night.” Or maybe I imagined going out on a date with Luca Gallo tonight. No, that could never be. He didn’t want me as girlfriend. He wanted me as a plaything. He wanted to humiliate me.

“Well, mission accomplished.” He reached for my coat and offered it to me.

“You’re so good to me.” I hugged him when he ushered me to the elevator door.

“You too.” He took my hand in his. “Where are we going for dinner? Paris?” He chuckled.

“I made reservations at this new sushi place on the Upper West Side.”

“Sounds great.”

The pop-up restaurant was exactly the frivolous distraction I needed for tonight. Here, I felt at ease. Being the Queen Bee out on the town was easy. It required no thought and no emotion. Hanging from Enzo’s arm and having his undivided attention, made me feel wanted. It made me feel as if I was worthy of a normal relationship. Aunt Vittoria wasn’t wrong when she said one day I would have to settle down and have a few kids. Why not Enzo?

“Try this one.” Enzo picked up a piece of unagi roll. “If you think you’ve had unagi before you were wrong.” He fed me from his chopsticks.

“Omigod. You’re right. It’s like a sex party in my mouth.” I giggled. “Sorry, that came out all wrong.”

“Nah, you might be right.” He chuckled and reached for my face and brushed my cheek. “You have an eyelash. Here, make a wish.”

We held hands and pressed our thumbs together while I closed my eyes to ask for the impossible—Luca. I was still mad at him. This little ritual was more of a force of habit. I’d been wishing for Luca Gallo for years.When Enzo let go of my hand, the eyelash was stuck to his thumb. “Oh, better luck next time.”

“The story of my life.” I laughed, throwing my arms in the air. “I gotta pee. Can you get us another bottle of champagne.”

“Sure.” He stood to help me out of my seat.

“Thanks.” I threw my arms around his neck. “You wished for her, didn’t you?”

“Of course not.” He met my gaze.

“Okay.” I cupped his cheek. “You deserve all the happiness. You know that, right?”

“You’re drunk. Go pee.”

“Fine.” I turned on my heel and headed toward the back of the restaurant.

“This way, Miss.” A woman with a tiny flashlight showed me the way down a dark hallway. “Watch your step.”

“Thanks.” I beamed at her then made my way to one of the stalls.

I sat there smiling. Dinner dates with Enzo were always easy. I liked that he went along with whatever I wanted. Admittedly, he did it because he couldn’t care less about what happened around him. Jesus, when was the last time I went out on a real date? Was that even possible for me at this point?

“Fuck my life.” I dropped my face in my hands, and the toilet flushed under me. “Alright. I get it. I need to get moving.”

Perfect. I was now taking advice from an automated toilet. What the hell was wrong with me? I shouldered open the stall door and went to wash my hands. “Don’t think about him.” I glared at my reflection. “Don’t. Think. About. Him.”

As if I had summoned the devil himself, Luca Gallo appeared in the mirror. I swung around so fast, I stumbled forward. One second, he was a dark silhouette next to my reflection, and the next, he was in front me, holding me tight.

“You’re drunk.”

“What’s it to you?”

“Why are you ignoring my calls?”

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