Page 95 of XOXO

I heard chatter behind us to see Ru and Vi coming out. He had his hand around her as they talked about something. She was sleep rumpled, but still looked gorgeous and nothing made me happier than seeing my best friend elated with her.

Whatever this was, it was effortless and I thought maybe it could possibly be more. Matteo proved I wasn’t the only one feeling this. We were always together; it made sense we liked the same girl and I hoped Vi could become our girl.

“Oh my god, this is gorgeous,” Vi said, holding my hand as we walked through Chora, a city on Mykonos. “It seems unreal.”

The white building and the maze of shops we were walking through was always so beautiful and never ceased to amaze me. We had been to this town a few times and we all agreed Vi needed to experience it.

“I think I took a million pictures the first time I came here,” I said, looking over my shoulder to see Ru and Matteo talking.

Matteo smirked at me, making my cheeks heat up, reliving our time together this morning. Ru looked between us, giving me a smile and a nod like he approved of what was going on. Another reason I didn’t want to tell Matteo I loved him was because I didn’t want us to lose our friendship with Ru. Would things be different? Would he hate that we were together? Should I have more faith in the strength of our friendship?

“Oh, let’s go in here!” Vi dragged me into a small boutique.

She looked at the women’s clothes while I looked around the store. I wasn’t a big shopper, but Ru and Matteo loved it. They were in the men’s section looking through different shirts, holding up the ones they liked. Vi had a few pieces in her arms and already walking to the guys. She showed them what she had picked out, asking for their opinion and I was glad she didn't include me. I was hopeless, happy to stick to jeans and tees, but that wasn’t acceptable to Ru or Matteo.

Ru grabbed the clothing items and took them to the register while Vi tried to grab them back from him. I walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“You’re wasting your breath,” I said. “Ru does whatever he wants and he loves to spoil people.”

“You don’t have to,” she grumbled. “I can buy my own things.”

“Let him, Reina,” I said, kissing her cheek.

She stayed quiet as Ru paid, also throwing in a shirt Matteo wanted.

The lady checked us out, glancing at all of us, curiously. Ru thanked her, grabbed the bag and gave it to Matteo. He opened his mouth to say something as he shook his head.

“Just say thank you, Gongjunim,” he smirked.

“I wouldn’t have to say thank you if you just let me pay for it,” she pouted.

I laughed as Ru rolled his eyes.

“Come on, there is much more shopping to do.” Ru led Vi out of the store.

Matteo and I followed them, our shoulders brushing occasionally and all I really wanted to do was hold his hand or hold him close. I held back, not sure if Matteo was ready for PDA or for anyone to know. Here on the island, we would be anonymous, with no worries of anyone catching us. I was out and proud, but I couldn’t ask Matteo to come out for me, even if we were somewhere he could safely be himself.

Ru and Vi were laughing about something when Matteo threaded our hands together. I looked up in surprise, stopping in the middle of the street, yanking him back.

“Was this not the right thing to do?” he asked, his brows furrowed.

“No, this is perfect,” I said, getting a little choked up.

“Hey, look, you don’t have to⁠—”

“No, I want you to, you big lug,” I said, squeezing his hand. “I was just having an existential crisis wanting to show you affection, but I didn’t know where the line was and in my head I made a big thing out of nothing.”

“Ask, Cuore Mio, that’s all you have to do,” he said, kissing my forehead.

My stomach fluttered with butterflies as he called me sweetheart in Italian.

“Ok. I’ll ask next time,” I said, my cheeks feeling hot.

“Come on, let's go spend some more money; you need new shoes,” he said, kissing my hand, leading me to where Ru and Vi were looking at some purses a vendor had out on the street.

Vi looked over at us and I smiled to ease her worry. She smiled, relief making her shoulders drop.

“Everything ok?” Ru asked as Vi kept perusing.