Page 122 of Devious Love

A wave of unease washes over me as I turn back to my closet.

“I don’t need a plan,” I say, infusing my tone with a confidence I don’t feel. “Nothing’s going to happen between us.”

“Does Dominic feel the same way?”

I hide my face in my palms and groan. She’s not going to leave me alone, is she?

Taking a deep breath, I turn to face her. “Do I need to remind you he broke my heart? Maybe you’ve forgotten justhowhe did it. How he brought a girl into his apartment so I’d find them together and told me some bullshit story about not being over Remi all so he wouldn’t have to tell me the truth about why he was ripping us apart.”

Her face softens, and she sets her phone down beside her. “Miles doesn’t think I should tell you, but…it’s not exactly a secret.” She twirls a strand of her hair around her finger. “Dominic isn’t over you.”

I hang my head low, my heart aching. “I know.”

There’s no point denying it. I suspected it before he even left the coffee shop and then later, at dinner, when his eyes were glued to me. With the way he spoke in my ear, so no one could hear, it was obvious. His presence is so big and dominant, even from across the table. It’s deep in my bones, as if our shitshow breakup never happened. As if I didn’t spend four months avoiding him. As if I didn’t move to Italy. As if there’s never been anyone else.

It feels as though it’s only ever been the two of us. The way it always should’ve been. How I always wanted us to be.

Except none of that is true.

I’m not sure there will ever be an us again.

“Mia.” Chiara’s calm voice rips me out of my thoughts. “I know what’s in your heart, how consuming and overwhelming your love for him was.” She presses her lips together, assessing me. “If you think there’s even a smidgen of a chance you’d give him another shot, you better make him work for it.”

She’s right. But could I really give him another shot after the way he tore my heart out and stomped on it? The damn thing is bruised and battered, and some days, I worry he took away my ability to love…to love anyone but him.

You’re mine. You will always be mine.

The words he whispered the night of his birthday four years ago still play in my mind, as loud as ever. They still make my heart sing, because there’s nothing but truth in them.

I smile at Chia. “I’ll figure it out.”

Thirty minutesbefore we’re set to leave, my suitcase is packed, necessary emails have been sent, and DMs from clients have been answered. For the first time since I left Italy, I’m caught up on work.

I set my suitcase by the front door then head to the kitchen for a snack. Mom, who got back from Washington late last night, is sitting at the breakfast table with a book. The title makes me smile—Gardening for Dummies. Never thought my mom would be into gardening.

She puts the book down as I open the fridge.

“Excited about the trip?” she asks. “You always loved Tahoe when you were little.”

“It should be fun.” I shrug as I pull out the container of grapes. “A nice little getaway.”

Behind me, Mom clears her throat. “It’s good to have you home. It feels like everything is finally how it should be.”

I straighten and close the fridge door. “Yeah. It’s nice.”

She sighs, squaring her shoulders. “I’ve apologized before, but I need you to know how sorry I am for how I treated you when you were younger. It was unfair of me.”

Hip propped against the counter, I dip my chin. “Thanks.”

“I was wrong about you and Dominic. He’s a good guy. I’ve known that all his life, but I let my anger cloud my judgment, and I let the opinions of others get to me. I hurt you, and I don’t deserve your forgiveness.” She lifts her chin, eyes welling with tears. “But that doesn’t stop me from hoping I won’t lose you over the mistakes I made.”

I watch her in silence. “Hurt” is a mild word for what she did to me, but how can I move on with my life if I keep holding on to the past? Maybe it’s time to let go.

It’s at least worth a try. So, I shuffle over to her and wrap her in a hug.

“Thank you, Mom. I really appreciate it.”

When I step out front,Dominic is waiting, leaning against a shiny black Escalade, his lips curled into a lopsided grin. He looks like he has all the time in the world, like nothing can faze him.