Empathy wins and I put my hand on top of his on the table. “Why didn’t you just talk to me?”
“I couldn’t.”
“Why didn’t you call me when you had calmed down?”
“I was ashamed of the way I treated you.” He looks back up, and his eyes search mine. “For that, I’m truly sorry. I can’t turn back time. If I could, I would.”
“But you didn’t even call me when I got here. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“I was letting you settle in for a week, and then I was going to accidently bump into you.” I frown. “But then I saw you on that date and I went…” His voice trails off. “Things haven’t gone to plan.”
We sit in silence for a moment, staring at each other. “You know you’re a really bad driver when you’re angry,” I tell him.
He smiles and turns his hand over to take mine. “Then stop making me angry.”
I smirk, and that buzz between
us is there again.
“How does this go, Enrico? What is this between us?”
“Rici. You call me Rici.”
I look down as I try to articulate what I want to say. So clear in my head, so clunky in real life.
“You said we had more story between us,” he says.
“I did.”
“Can you honestly say that you feel like you turned the last page? Because I can’t.”
“No,” I say. I watch as the twinkle returns to his eyes, and I exhale heavily. “I’ll make a deal with you. You pick me up and take me on a date tomorrow night, and I’ll wipe the slate clean.”
“How about we just talk about it tonight?”
“And stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Hypnotizing me with your sexiness.”
He smiles brightly at me. “No promises.”
I stand. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
His face falls. “You’re leaving already? Your drink hasn’t even arrived.”
“Yes. I’m leaving.”
He opens his mouth to object, and then shuts it, silencing himself. “See you tomorrow night.”
I kiss him on the cheek. “Tomorrow.”
Enrico
I would have preferred to stay in with her tonight but I need to make an effort, so here I am. I knock on the door and Olivia opens it in a rush.
My breath catches at the sight of her. She’s wearing a red strapless dress. Her long blonde hair is up, and I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful.