Page 160 of Heartless

“Angelo Casta.”

“I didn’t know you were seeing someone.”

She rolled to her side, so we were facing each other.“I’m quite fond of him.He’s smart, handsome, and he loves me.Now, he wants to get married.”

I had no idea what to make of the dichotomy between her words and the sadness of her inflection.“He sounds wonderful.When did he propose?”

“He hasn’t.I found a ring in his jacket pocket the day Cami called me to tell me about James’s passing.”

“And you don’t want to marry him...because you’re not in love with him?”

Her lips pinched.“That and because I’m stupid.”

I leaned closer, and our heads were nearly touching.“No, you’re not.”

On a big exhale, she flopped onto her back, as much as someone as graceful as her could flop.I planted my elbow in the pillow and held my head in my hand.

“Yes, I am, cara.I’ve been pining for years for a man who sees me as his baby sister.”

“Is this someone I know?”

Bianca’s hair brushed the pillow in a nod while her face flushed.

“Are you talking about Jake?”

Her lips stretched in a wince.“Dio.No.Jakeislike my brother.”

I couldn’t help but smile.“If you’re talking about Silas, I know for a fact he likes you.And not like a sister.”

She jolted and sat up against the bedhead.“How do you know?”

Sitting up cross-legged by her hip, I related my conversation with Silas.

Her eyes widened, and she gripped my hand.“That’s what he said?”

I’d never experienced Bianca vulnerable, and it made her even more beautiful.

I nodded.“Word for word.Do you know why he’d think he’s not good enough for you?”

“I have a pretty good idea,” she whispered.Then a smile lit up her face.“But nothing is insurmountable, cara.”

Not for her.So, Silas had better watch out for hurricane Bianca.

Without preamble, she changed the subject.“Matt texted me to thank me for introducing you.”

After I’d told her about our first date of sort—I’d left the disastrous kiss part out—she tilted her head to the side.“I’m glad you found a friend who nurtures your creativity, cara.”

“Me too.”

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stretched out her open palm.“The others will be back soon.I’m going to freshen up.Come.We have some catching up to do.”

Hand in hand, we went out of my room and straight to her quarters.