Page 29 of Mine Again (Mafia Bride #2)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Isabella

G od, what did I do?

I sounded like a complete imbecile.

Argh!

I want to come across as a confident woman who knows what she wants… which I do .

That’s the kind of woman someone like Sebastian Moretti would date. And later, marry.

Ugh.

I groan into my pillow.

I totally failed, blew it with one dumb message.

Now what do I do?

I sit up in bed and grab my phone from where it landed, holding it like it’s cursed.

I’m never touching it again.

But just as I reach for the drawer to throw it in, it vibrates in my hand.

Ahhh.

It nearly slips from my grasp as it dances in my palm.

My heart stutters.

That was fast… if it’s him. But who else would text me?

I glance at the screen, and my heart does a full-on backflip.

Sapphire Eyes: Isa, Isa, Isa.

I can almost hear him tsk.

My cheeks go hot, and I drop the phone onto the bed like it burned me.

I want to squeal, but I refrain and pick up the phone again.

Sapphire Eyes: I knew you wouldn’t get back to me right away, but you waited two weeks! My ego is a little bruised.

A giggle escapes me this time. I slam the phone to my chest. Then panic.

What if I accidentally liked something? Or, God forbid, heart-reacted?

I fumble to check the screen.

Nothing sent.

Crisis averted.

Sapphire Eyes: I even started wondering if I hallucinated our last meeting and dreamed you up.

Okay, Isa. Pull it together. Don’t make it weird.

My fingers hover. I can be breezy. Witty. That girl exists inside me somewhere.

Me: Maybe you did. But I’m flattered I left a lasting impression… even if I’m late to the sequel.

Dots. He’s typing.

Sapphire Eyes: I was hoping the sequel would involve dinner.

Straight to the point. God, he really is direct.

My stomach flips. But not from nerves. Okay, maybe a little from nerves.

Dinner sounds… too late in the day.

If I want to keep Plan NUPTIAL secret, I can’t risk being out at night. That kind of thing needs a lot more careful planning.

Let’s see where this thing with Sebastian goes first.

Ideally, I won’t introduce him—or whoever I choose—to my family until things are irrevocably done. As in, Here’s my husband, surprise!

Will they be happy about it? No.

Can they do anything other than kill him? Also no.

Not that Mamma would resort to that sort of thing. That was Father’s domain.

I’m sure eventually they’ll all be happy for me. Especially if I’m content.

I type quickly.

Me: Hold your horses. Dinner is too committal. Let’s start with coffee. Step by step, Mr. Impatient.

Sapphire Eyes: I actually do own horses. Five, to be precise. Three for racing, two for cross-country. That’s my passion. Well, one of them. Do you ride?

Oh hell. Why does that sound so sexual?

And why is my body reacting to images of him riding… and not just horses?

My imagination is suddenly sponsored by steamy romance novels and fueled by my long drought. It’s been so long since Luca last touched me.

God, I miss the way his hands used to map every inch of me, the way his lips coaxed shivers out of places I didn’t know could respond. I miss how safe and undone I felt in his arms, like I could fall apart and be put back together at the same time.

Could I have that with another man? With this man?

Sebastian could be dangerous. Not mafia dangerous, but the kind who might slip past my defenses and make me forget myself… forget Luca.

No. I could never forget Luca.

Me: I don’t ride…

Well, I rode Luca once. It was… awkward. I wasn’t sure what I was doing, where to put my hands, if I looked ridiculous.

I was glad when he took over again.

What would it be like now, if everything had gone according to plan?

We’d be married. Four years in.

Would I still let him lead all the time? Or would I be different now? Braver.

A pulse of sadness moves through me.

My first and only love. We promised each other forever.

Will I ever come close to feeling what I once had with him?

Even now, all these years later, he lingers in my mind like a ghost .

I shake my head, reminding myself for the thousandth time since I accepted he must be dead that Luca isn’t here, and despite his promise, never will be again.

Whatever we had is gone. And no wishing and praying will change that.

Move on, Isa. You have a plan. Stick to it.

I stare at the screen. The flirty mood I was caught up in has evaporated.

No, I will not let the past ruin my future.

Think, Isa. Say something witty.

I delete what I had started to write and try again. And this time, I’m not thinking of Luca.

Me: Well, I don’t ride. But I’m open to learning. Under strict conditions. Number one: No judgmental horses… or horsemen. Number two: No going cross-country. Number three: I get to wear the fancy boots, even if I fall off.

I hit send before I overthink it.

A pause. Then his reply lands with perfect timing.

Sapphire Eyes: Deal. I’ll even let you borrow my best pair. Though I expect dramatic flair when you dismount.

A small laugh escapes me, the heaviness in my chest loosening.

Me: I’m excellent at dramatic flair. It’s the actual riding part that might kill me. And I don’t think your boots will fit me.

Sapphire Eyes: So a riding lesson will be our first date?

He really wants a date with me. My smile widens.

Me: Steady on. Let’s ease into this. I might not like you after the first date. So I’m not risking a sore butt on top of a potential disappointment.

There’s a short delay. I picture him reading it, smirking.

Sapphire Eyes: Fair enough. But I’ll have you know, I never disappoint. Soon enough, you won’t get enough of me.

Ha. He really is sure of himself.

I start to smile again, but then guilt curls in my chest.

Let it go, Isa. You’re allowed to move on.

I exhale slowly, steadying myself, then let my fingers fly over the keyboard.

Me: I’m purposefully ignoring your last statement. How about coffee next Wednesday? Same place we last met?

Sapphire Eyes: You’re really making me wait a whole week?

I smile. Small but real.

Me: Yes .

Sapphire Eyes: Fine. But I expect daily messages until then. No more ghosting me.

That flutter again. Soft and quiet this time. Like something waking up.

Me: Bossy much?

Sapphire Eyes: Only when it matters.