Page 117 of Rivals

“Well, you’re in luck because I don’t either.” Her fingers rub my pulse point, calming me.

“Let me be confident for us this time. I think we have something special here, and even if I don’t think we’re going to pull it off, I will shove blind optimism down both of our throats.”

“You don’t do blind optimism, my love,” I murmur.

She rolls her eyes. “There’s a first time for everything,” she sighs and releases me, going back to her food. I let those words settle. I don’t just have a partner for a competition. I have a woman who’s willing to be what I need, and it makes my heart skip a beat. No one has ever sacrificed like that for me.

We’ve finished our food, and I wait for the waiter to bring us our check. “I love you, muse.”

She smiles softly again, and her beautiful lips open. “And you saved me.” And it’s like a flaming arrow to my heart. It doesn’t matter if she hasn’t said the words I desperately want to hear. I can live with that if it means I still get to keep her, but that sentence alone tells me that maybe she’s closer than she lets on.

We leave the restaurant hand in hand. I know we need to get back home. The gel is probably dry now, and the gala is in two days. That means our Italian adventure is almost over, and we are closer to going home to New York. I don’t know what scares me more.

Chapter 69

Revna

It’sthedaybeforethe gala. We went shopping and found Lachlan a tux to rent and me a dress in a cute vintage shop. I realized I had nothing suitable for a black tie gala in Italy. Then again, why would I? It’s all black, my favorite color, with lace from top to bottom. It’s strapless and has a fitted bodice. I didn’t see a label, but I also don’t care. Luckily, I have my pumps, and I’m good to go.

The last thing to do is put the finishing touches on the piece and hope to God the people that transport it don’t screw it up. It had to be done today in time for pick up. I’ve walked around it thirty times and have found something to fix every time. Lachlan follows behind and keeps fixing the shading of the column. The way we angled the light source is eye-catching. It looks like it’s coming from within the portal instead of shining on the column. I check my phone. I know the movers will be here in an hour, and I want it dry before then. Lachlan keeps swiping his brush in the pretty leaf additions at the top of the column. He made it look like an actual column with paint and used gel to give it a 3D effect. His talent blows me away. “Babe, we need to stop. It has to dry before they get here.” He grunts and keeps moving his brush.

“Babe,” I say again. He ignores me. “Lachlan!” I don’t want to touch him because I don’t want him to accidentally drag his brush across it and ruin something we have no time to fix.

I glance at the box we have to fit it into before they get here. “Let’s get the box put together.”

He looks at it and huffs. “Fine, I just—“

“Lachlan, it’s good. We have to leave it. We are out of time. It’sgood.”

“Fine,” he mumbles and goes to get the wooden sides of the box. I grab the bottom piece and the giant bag of foam and cotton to put around it.

Right as we get the last piece in and screwed down, there’s a knock at the door. The man says something in Italian, and Lachlan goes to open it. The moment it leaves this room, there is no turning back. I just hope it was enough. I feel like this isn’t just about the competition anymore. It feels like part of the maze in our relationship, and this was one of the puzzles to solve.

Lachlan helps them get it on the dolly and follows them out of the apartment. I can’t watch it go down the ancient stairs so I stay put and wait. I hear a commotion outside, and a few people yell in Italian. I keep my eyes on the floor in front of me, too afraid they are yelling about our box.

Please don’t let them drop the box.

What feels like hours later, Lachlan closes the door behind him and leans against it. I sigh in relief, and the blood rushing in my ears finally slows. “It’s done,” he says quietly, and those words feel like they mean much more than just our future in this competition.

“So,” he says.

“So,” I parrot.

“What are we going to do now?”

Chapter 70

Revna

Icouldbarelysleeplast night. Tonight could make or break us. I lean forward in the mirror and carefully trace my favorite red-wine lipstick onto my lips. I don’t have a curling iron, but I braided my hair last night, so it’s in loose waves down my back. Lachlan has been pacing since he finished getting ready, sans the black bow tie hanging around his neck.

My long dress has a bit of a train behind it, and I’ve never felt so fancy. It feels good to dress up. Lachlan is in a tux, buttoned up, and still slightly disheveled. He’s delicious. I slip on my little hoop earrings that complement my necklace, and then I grab my heels from my suitcase, plopping down on the couch. “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor,” I say while I gather my dress to lift it from my feet.

He pauses the pacing, and I glance up to find him looking at me. I look back down to check my dress, hoping I didn’t spill on it.

“You are stunning, love,” he says a few feet from me. My face feels hot. I will never get used to his compliments.

“Thank you,” I say without looking up. The bodice of my dress is fitted, so it’s difficult to lean over and get my shoes on. I was so excited when I found them. The thin ankle strap and closed toe make them look expensive and go with everything. I’ve worn them so few times, and they make me happy every time I slip them on my feet.