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“Hi, Ambrose,” I say and wave awkwardly, evidently very intimidated by him.

“Theá,” he responds along with a head nod. His eyes are almost boring into mine.

I’m suddenly very aware of the fact that I’m in this stupid, flimsy chemise again. “I’m going to head upstairs and change.”

“I’ll go with you, if that’s okay?” Valerie asks. I look up at Antonio who looks like a deer caught in headlights.

“Uh, yeah. Sure,” I say, awkwardly.

I am slightly apprehensive about leaving Ambrose and Antonio alone, especially after how I found them arguing at the wedding, but I think better of it and head upstairs with Valerie hot on my heels.

“Sorry for just dropping in unannounced like this, Ambrose insisted on seeing Antonio.”

“It’s okay, your entrance was perfectly timed,” I scoff.

“Why? Did we interrupt something?” she asks worriedly.

“Only an argument, so don’t worry about it. It could’ve been worse.” I chuckle, but she doesn’t join in. This may be the epitome of the world’s most awkward morning.

“Argument? Is everything okay?” she asks once my laughter dies down. She seems so genuinely concerned that I almost want to tell her what’s going on.

I stay silent. Is everything okay? I don’t know how to answer that question.

“You don’t have to answer if it makes you feel uncomfortable,” she quickly follows up on her previous statement.

“It was just some miscommunication that we need to hash out,” I call it what it is without elaborating too much, especially since I don’t know what their relationship is like now.

“Okay well, if I know anything about Nino, he is usually pretty good at communicating as long as it’s not with Ambrose, so it should resolve very quickly. You should give me your number so that I can text you and give you a heads up next time,” She extends her phone to me as we enter my room.

I haven’t had many friends aside from Eleanor, so the interaction feels slightly strange. But her advances seem genuine, so I choose to welcome it instead of fighting it. I punch my number in and save it before handing the phone back to her.

“Oh, another reason we stopped by is that Nat is performing tonight atState Louis. It’s her last show of the European leg of her tour before she takes a short break, and she asked if you’d be keen to come. By you, I do mean you and Antonio, since I need him to come and keep Ambrose company.”

A part of me is unsure of how to respond. After years of constantly having someone else decide things for me, it feels strange to be given a choice.

“That sounds like fun, but you’ll have to run it past Antonio, too.”

“Trust me, I know Nino. I’m sure he’ll say yes,” she beams.

I however can’t help but feel awkward. There’s an unspoken bond between them, and I don’t know how to feel about it.

Chapter twenty-three

Antonio

“Youcancallandlet me know when you’re coming by instead of just walking into my home like you own it.” I meet Ambrose’s gaze and find that it's already on me.

“This isn’t home and you know it. You’re getting distracted,” he says calmly, but I can hear the air of irritation behind his words.

“We’re not even speaking right now.” I sigh.

I have fucked up to an astronomical level. I could have, and should have, handled last night better, especially since it was centred around such a sensitive topic.

“Those hickeys say otherwise,” he counters, and I can’t help the scoff that leaves my lips.

“Why did I hear from Uncle Lorenzo that you’re inviting four French art dealers to the CFP dinner?”

“Aren’t you the one who says shit happens to all of us, it’s how we deal with it that matters? Since I’m going to be stuck here, I have to do whatever it takes to survive. And regarding the hickeys, I might as well enjoy my time while I’m at it.”