Page 32 of Devious Love

“It’s probably because your family isn’t here. I’m sure you would’ve felt a thousand times more welcome had your mom and Matt been here when you arrived.”

“Maybe.” I bite my bottom lip. “How are you feeling about Matt these days?”

Head thrown back, Chiara laughs. “My childhood crush is thankfully over. Don’t get me wrong, your brotherè un bonazzo, but he’s so not into me. Honestly, it was pretty pathetic how long I held out hope for something.”

“È un bonazzo?”

She tilts her head, her lips twitching. “You told me you were studying Italian with your dad.”

“I am, but you don’t need to throw it at me like that. I need to prepare myself.”

She scoffs. “Let’s imagine you’re visiting your dad, and someone starts speaking to you in Italian. Will you say, ‘Wait, I need to prepare myself’?”

“Of course not, but I have a lot to learn. I plan to keep studying so when Idovisit, I can understand the languageandspeak it. Or I’ll bring you with me, and you can do all the talking.” I grin.

She sighs. “I’d love to go to Milan, and I can’t imagine my parents saying no. You should’ve seen Mama’s face when I told her your dad is moving to Italy.”

“We should plan a trip for next summer.”

For several minutes, we’re quiet, just drinking cocoa and enjoying the other’s presence. Eventually, though, Chia tilts her head and asks, “If everybody is out of town, how did you get in? Have you been holding on to a key all these years?”

“No.” I grimace. “Some girl brought a spare key.”

“Some girl?”

“Her name is Remi.” It takes effort to not spit her name.

“Ohhhh.” Chia’s eyes widen as she assesses me.

“What does that mean? I haven’t lived here in five years, and other than the occasional comment from Matt, I know nothing about what’s going on with Dominic.”

“So your crush is over?”

“Over.” I shrug.

The out of sight, out of mind tactic worked wonders for my crush. At first, it was hard, especially when Matt would fill me in on what Dominic was up to. But as time passed, I found myself thinking about him less and less. Distance cured me, though it would be a lie to say that what happened last year didn’t sway my heart in his direction again.

Just a little.

“Good.” She nods once. “Because he and Remi are…complicated. I don’t want you in the middle of it.”

A low, unamused chuckle escapes me. “She asked me if I still had a crush on him today.”

Chiara rolls her eyes. “Oh my fucking God! She’s unbelievable.”

I toy with my earring, hesitating. “She said it was obvious to everyone I was in love with him back when I still lived here. Can you believe it?”

She presses her lips into a straight line. “Um, kinda.”

My heart stumbles at her response.Shit.

“It was kind of obvious, but only if you were looking.” She gives me a reassuring smile. “And I don’t thinkhewas looking.”

“He definitely wasn’t.” I brush at a piece of lint on the couch cushion. “But when you say he and that girl are complicated, what do you mean?”

She shifts, pulling one leg under her. “They were hooking up before you left, right?”

I nod. I wish I could wipe those memories from my brain.