Page 102 of Valentino

Did Val pick him up on cheating on me…or were they talking about Giovanna?

Was it just one time or was it an ongoing battle?

I mean, how do you just out of the blue start fighting with one of your best friends over their girlfriend…. Unless there was an underlying issue that had been bubbling beneath the surface for a while?

But then there’s the other side of the coin, what if I didn’t hide my affection for Val half as well as I thought I did? Did they both know?

What if Giovanna had already suspected and hearing it from Val just blew everything out of the water?

Maybe it was Carlo going at him, but then maybe perhaps none of it mattered because they were just inebriated and talking nonsense.

No matter how many messed-up situations fly through my mind I keep returning to one part of the conversation and the effect it has had on me.

Valentino admitted he had always wanted me, and I cannot deny the way it makes my heart sing.

I thought I was over him, I’d begrudgingly put the fantasy of us to bed a long time ago. But now to hear that he had it too just makes me want to jump into his arms….

I remember our kiss and our argument and him playing the sweet boyfriend at my parents.

She was, and still is, the most beautiful woman I have ever met.

Anticipation bubbles in my stomach and I smile; I think that if the last few days has taught me anything it’s that there is something there…. And damn it, I’m going to find out exactly what it is.

Home time….

The front door to my office opens as I approach, Matteo smiles and dips his head. “Good afternoon, Anna.”

“Hello.” I smile, I look out to the road to Valentino sitting behind the wheel in his blacked-out SUV. He’s staring straight ahead and in that instant I know that he still wants to fight. Usually he’s out of the car and wearing a swoony smile while waiting to open my car door.

Not today.

Matteo walks me out and opens my door. “Thank you.” I climb in as the door shuts behind me.

“Hello, Valentino.” I smile over at him.

He gives me the side eye. “Hello, Anna.” He starts the car and pulls out into the traffic.

“Thanks for picking me up.”

He nods but doesn’t reply.

I sit and stare through the front windscreen as we drive in silence, how am I going to play this? After hearing Francesca’s story I’m feeling all needy and apologetic about our fight this morning but I need to stay strong because deep down, I know I’m right. He cannot hold this grudge against me for dating Carlo. I was the one wronged, used to get closer to the group, it was me. I’m a victim in this too.

So for him to throw that in my face now isn’t okay.

No, I’m going to hold my ground. Be civil and nice, but not apologetic. I have to set the standard for what I want moving forward.

“What are you going to do while I have my piano lesson?” I ask.

His eyes flick over to me. “What do you mean?”

“Well….” I shrug. “Are you going to come back and collect me or?”

“No. I’m staying.”

“Oh.” I blink. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”