Page 187 of The Art of Ruin

Tell her I miss her, and I’m still making her costume for World Book Day.

The reply comes instantly.

She’ll be very happy to hear that.

A pause as the bubbles jump as he types.

Then:

I miss you.

Emotion rises hard and sudden in my throat.

Because there he is again.

Not manipulating.

Not demanding.

Just honest.

And, somehow, honesty from Adriano feels more intimate now than any kiss we ever shared.

We’re sitting in the kitchen looking through take out menu’s when there is a knock at Bri’s door. She looks at me with a raised brow, and I shake my head. I know it isn’t Adriano because it’s Letty’s bedtime and he never misses it unless he has no choice.

“Well, hello, handsome.”

I rush to the door when I hear a familiar chuckle and see Matteo leaning up against the frame, smirking at my friend.

“Matteo?”

He looks up when he hears me and smiles widely, those mischievous dimples popping on his cheeks.

“Hey, gorgeous girl.”

“Holy shit, I need to go change my panties,” Bri says as she waves her hand in front of her face wildly and rushes into her room.

I smile for the first time in days as I watch the Matteo effect in real time. “I think you broke my friend.”

“Is she single?”

Planting my hands on my hips, I glare at Matteo. “Yes and no.”

“Yes and no?”

“Yes, she’s single, and no. You can’t go out with her.”

“Killjoy.”

“Why are you here, Matteo?”

He looks me over with a critical eye, and I can’t imagine what he sees, except maybe an unwashed, emotional disaster.

“Can I come in for a second?”

I open the door wider and he steps through.

“Coffee, water?” I offer, falling into the host role.