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She was as breath-taking as ever, her hair curled to perfection as it sat around her shoulders, her deep green eyes meeting mine as the breath left my body. I hadn’t seen her since that fateful day where she nearly lost her life.

I bowed my head as she regarded me coolly.

“I heard what you did,” her silky voice was as enchanting as ever. I bowed my head as I felt Michael’s eyes on us.

“I am so sorry I didn’t do it sooner,” I whispered hoarsely, meaning every word.

She’d been my girlfriend, and she had been on the brink of death after an attack.

Her eyes softened as she spoke. “I knew you were there. I knew if you could have done something, you would have. It was the only comfort I had, knowing you were there.”

I felt at a loss for words as I gazed at the floor in shame.

“It scared me. I was fifteen,” I said as Michael’s voice cut through me like a knife.

“Can you only imagine how scared Lucia was? She was also just fifteen. Alas, we shall not dwell on such matters now. We have dealt with it, and my father seems to believe you have redeemed yourself, but it would be fair to say not all of us feel the same way.”

“As you said Michael, we have dealt with it, and my word is final on the matter. Leonardo is our guest, so behave appropriately,” the voice was quiet, the words cloaked in the old Italian accent.

“Verno.”

Part Two: Chapter Five

GRETCHEN

Nicole stared at me as she drained her glass of wine.

“He gave you hisbusiness card?”

I ran my finger around the rim of my glass, shrugging nonchalantly.

“You don’t think that is odd? He is ourprofessor,”she stabbed her fork into her spaghetti, chewing on it thoughtfully. She swallowed quickly when she saw the server passing us, flashing him a smile as she ordered another glass of wine. “It’s kind of hot. He is super gorgeous. I wish he would have givenmehis card,” she pointed her fork in my direction as she spoke.

“He’s alsomarried, Nicole,” I scolded, shaking my head with disapproval.

“True. But anyhow, it’s not as if you are single, you and Cal arepracticallymarried,” she rolled her eyes as she finished her spaghetti, rapidly picking up the dessert menu.

“Are you in a rush to go home?” I asked, raising an arched eyebrow at her. Her eyes went wide as her smile gave her away.

“Is it that obvious? Shit. I’m meeting someone at ten,” she mumbled, without an ounce of shame.

The attendant placed a fresh glass of wine down before her as he removed her plate, frowning as he realized that I had barely made a dent in mine. I ate quicker, annoyed that she had made overlapping plans.

“So, who is it?” I asked with intrigue.

Nicole had a varied sex life, sleeping with both sexes to satisfy her needs. She was such a warm soul, always smiling, and I loved listening to her many tales.

“Someone from Tinder. We hook up occasionally,” she let out a dramatic moan as she tapped the menu card in front of her.

“Triple-chocolate chunk brownie with caramel ice cream, you getmefor dessert,” she declared, and I giggled.

“Have youreallynever slept with anyone other than Cal?” she asked for the hundredth time since I had known her.

“No, Istillhaven’t, nothing has changed since the last time you asked me,” I teased as she winked at me.

“You get so much attention; you are fuckinghot.I wish he would just let you loose in New York City for a weekend with me. Your pussy would be intatters.”

I gaped at her as I looked around us quickly, praying no one had heard her little outburst, tattered pussy didn’t go well with spaghetti.