KAEL

irst thing. It would be my last shift this month before our assessment next week.

es calling me up again. Unfortunately, my brain was in no mood to rest.

ne-anyone, really. Then maybe cry it

were traveling with David, my brother-in law. They just left me on read. B

elting on the covers I'd almost forgotten to change. "Distrac

e sti

ht in Flore

ight owl, but h

d rang his number. My breath caught wh

i.

i.

alrig

othing. Almost too calm, but also straightfo

t sound like he jus

bing?" I hel

meeting. I'm i

have time to chat about something el

rto's d

you- Can we sw

" he

y room, I closed my eyes, cringing. My p

the awkward silence. "But I'm in

s fi

ded quite amused. "Swi

est, the restlessness and impa

other's outburst. Miles said Leandro beat up Enzo over some family drama I'd r

tan face popped up. Deep-set blue eyes

care. "You held a

zo itched

ince we met. Something in my stomach t

m. In Rome. Went over some manage

ewly opened drugstores in South Italy could'v

gre

h.

k brow, an anxious tell of his. "He's ju

h.

oss if he figured out his girlfriend happily moved o

rly 30s like Enzo. Also from a wealthy Italian family. Best friends si

dark hair. The recent trim emphasized his angular jaw

returned his smirk wit

hought you're in tro

fine,"

One of his bodyguards, probably. Enzo scowled as they conversed in Italian. When his phone's flashlight

amp, curbing a smile at his words laced with genuine

gner, his bachelor status at 34 downright baffled me. Perhaps romantic relationsh

e my skin chafe. Was she both selfis

nzo before calling off their engagement, disrespect

fter hooking up with her best friend, then had the

d when Enzo muttered

The darker skin under his eyes mat

't say goodbye. Not yet. I missed o

y ward,

ng on in his life, he still recalled our la

're enjo

earning a lot every day, though.

s pale lips when Enzo grinned. "Y

remember that, too. "You'll be there? At

houghts screamed at me to stop beating around

you comi

oo

d he mean he'd be here

with new inv

just need you to

t?" Enzo

o confirmation or willingness on his part, to date. "And Mom wants me to invite you to Meesha's

forgot. Thanks

ot too busy." The conversation went on calmly until I brought up the

paperw

yment t

cument online now. Get it over wit

you. She said you're

" Enzo palmed

with the clauses. Or if there's something in the contract you

it's a personal lo

zo.

rig

rolled his eyes.

aid, I don't need the money. But since you keep insisting..." Enzo sighed, e

unc

Zio

unch their new biotech company this year.

o shoot. Not sure if there's gonna be a commercial shoot the same day," he w

issed doing the work. "Okay. I'll

ing. Venue's definitely gon

is company, as a way of paying him back. Partially, of course. But much better tha

you s

eek l

dumpe

Was it even a

erious relationship. Maybe he never really saw us getting past the friendzone. Wel

rved past traffic, I stared at Enzo sitting next to me, t

y tilted my chin to make me look at him, waiting

ood at masking my real feelings

e dimness and the soothing calmness in his voice didn't really help. Repeatedl

were burning up. "We weren't even..." I co

fter giving me a clean handkerchief, he let me lean against his

this. Or tell him the things Miles sai

derstood the reasons behind the gnawing pain inside

dkerchief. "It's just... Sorry. I'm just tired." Poor sleep. Poo

n't say

d to give him a side-hug a

is lips. Enzo let go of me and just stared. Like my

. My eyes were stinging from the minute I woke up. But

muttered, his deep voi

. Tha

is head stayed close to mine. "W

dsome face. The urge to avoid his eyes lingered, b

ger seat. If I stared into his eyes again, I might jus

y weren't getting any better. But with Enzo keeping me company, I might just get through the ni

d to say flatly despite my aching

d flew here a day earlier than he'd initially pla

d him to ask if he could accompany me this evening. As though he owed me the favor. Before I could even re

ably forced him to cancel a slew of meetings. "

rea

nk goodne

around my waist, hugging me close. Stubble lightly scratched my

ave the energy to deny it. I'd always liked his hugs-as much as I lik

ian. But talking and hanging out with him like this didn't really trigger any nig

k hair and thick beards. My therapist had said, "It's very normal. Typical." Even after

't get used to this. To Enzo, this wasn't anyt

my grip on reality was still mostly intact. "I didn't

. Confusion dulled his voic

nap." I sighed. "How's work?"

. How's h

he mea

lly want me to talk

back. But, I eventually told him about my last convers

And with little to no effort. Like h

annoying and

from exhaustion. During the long flight, he was textin

I sniveled and dried

bo

b, going to rehab, and... I mean, I didn't beg him to r

going to

.um...callin

is lips together until they formed a thin line. "I get it

anymore, but the goosebumps hadn't really left my skin. "I didn't ask him to come see m

. A hint of disdain hard

ea

e wants to stay friends?" So

I-I t

Because no matter what happened, deep down I knew he would remain an important pa

at upset me when he dumped me over the pho

o make that decision?" Enzo asked

s the type to keep secrets, it was best to just give it time. Give him the space he wanted. At the end of th

s just trying

mple. "From what?" The polic

much." Enzo yawned. "He doesn'

that.

n' out for you,

t with him. If ever Miles and the Falcos had to testify in court, then my name and our

uch baggage for you an

one comes wi

d to find that person who loves

look at it that way. Not hate

ationship with you won't work 'caus

t blame Mr. Falco for everything, but I appreciated Enzo's attempts to comfort

silent in the backseat of the dark sedan he brought. But it was a

e still as I sat to his right. I pulled back, leaving some distance

put on a more pleasant expression, as if

imes, but just couldn't. I'd rather lose sleep thinking about

rained a sigh. "Yo

ea

hy

to stop paying

d h

dun

e call

e bothered to send a slightly longer message. No explanations wh

massaging my shoulders. "W

eren't in a real relationship to begin with? No thank

sur

rted nods wa

arm around my waist again

on the side of my head. When he murmured something reass

op

Brea

eep bre

; he's just

to put a lid o

erstood. Nothing more. To him, this was no b

still reacte

s 100% single and not going on dates with anyone, I would hug

, as he'd promised. For letting me use him a

ing his distance because I was being such a clingy friend. Too needy. Dem

e'd rather lose hours of much-

ot left on the soft cloth. It smelled of his perfume. Hints of rose and vanilla mixed with a minty musk. Subtle, but

" Enzo fain

ore turning to my side. If I sat closer to the tinted window, I'd look like I

good,