Page 128 of DeLucas After Dark

"I was sleeping, Enzo."

"This is important."

"So is sleep."

"This is my first time being in love. This is my first Valentine's Day. I can't fuck this up."

Stefano swiped his hand over his face. "Alright, alright," Stefano sighed, relenting under Enzo's intense stare. "Let me think."

As Stefano mulled over ideas, Enzo watched him closely, appreciating his friend's help despite the late hour and unusual request. The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes, each second adding to Enzo's growing anxiety. Finally, Stefano looked up.

"Listen, Enzo, you've already bought her all the material things she could want. You even brought her things she didn't want."

"Whoa! What did I buy her that she didn't want?" Enzo asked.

"Glass slippers. What is she going to do with glass slippers, Enzo? And you only gave her one. Where the fuck is the other one?"

Enzo chuckled. "You know nothing about love, and it shows."

"I know if I give anyone shoes, I should give them the complete set, not one shoe."

Enzo shook his head. "Let me give you a free lesson in romance. Pay attention to the things that make your woman smile. One day, I saw Eve watching a cartoon about Cinderella. She was smiling and saying something about how sweet the prince was."

"And that made you jealous, right?"

"Hell, yeah. Fuck that prince. But that's not the point. I researched Cinderella and learned all I could about her. Then, I ordered Eve a pair of glass slippers like the ones Cinderella had. Eve has one, and I have one."

"Still, you only gave her one slipper. And why do you need the other one? Does that even make sense?"

"Of course. Because in the cartoon she was watching, Cinderella lost a slipper, and the prince found it. I'm Eve's prince. Get it?"

"No. The shoes aren't even safe to walk in."

Enzo shook his head. It was pointless trying to explain this to him. "I feel sorry for the woman you fall in love with. You don't know how to be romantic."

"It's a good thing I have no intention of falling in love. Let's get back to you and Eve. You should get her something that carries a deeper meaning. She already knows you love her. Give her something to let her know you understand her."

Maybe Stefano wasn't so hopeless when it came to love after all. Enzo leaned forward, intrigued by Stefano's suggestion. "Go on."

"I'm done."

"That's it?"

"Yeah," Stefano nodded.

"I need more than that. What gift expresses deeper meaning? What gift will show her that I understand her?"

"How am I supposed to know that? You live with her, not me."

"It was your suggestion."

Shaking his head, Stefano pulled his phone from his pocket and began typing in something.

"The gift suggestions online aren't worth shit," Enzo complained, slumping back into his seat.

"I've got it!" Stefano announced.

Enzo sat up straight again. "You do?"

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