s desk," he said. My whole body felt warm from the touch. "And don't even think abo

er is the last thing I care about." "Good," he said, voice hard. We looked at each other for a moment. He shook his keys, to

f, I decided I'd keep calling him Tore. I went inside, dropped the folder on my father's desk, but before leaving,

ldn't find what I was looking for. My father kept his bank information under lock and key, but one

I saw Adriana shoving

ottoms inside out. While I was covering for her, she'd been with him? Seriously.

r, turned, and said, "Lem

s doorway and closed

to skin you ali

lass. The week dragged by, with her dad paintings and sad music filling the house. I started to feel guilty again, but I didn't want her situation

ment party had started five minutes ago, yet she

it since I was an easy target. Adriana never reacted when he

"? I asked as I looked in her closet lo

and you've seen him, right? Can you

t pushing clothes aside. "Um, no

t realized-I'll actual

it out. Adriana was smart in school, had way more

d because he's... big. I got nervous and looked up photos-well

deos." I leaned against the closet door, watching

ghtfully. "Yeah, I guess

ria

ered in Italian, took the dress from me, and gave

sighed a

ere you thinking?" Mum sh

't help

th a cough. She always showed up at the worst

usso down before he sc

am I suppo

about breaking her favorite dish, Nonna's grumbling, and the g

r, heels with bows, and my hair pinned to one side. Even if I didn't agree

a screamed excitedly, thr

just saw each

hen!" She hadn't been there for the lunch drama, but my family go

d. Her brother was basi

olled her eyes. "I'm going to find us some drinks. Then y

oodstain on the patio.

hat I heard! Mum says he'

"I don't even k

ve under a rock, Milene. To

id as she spotted another c

ting in the warm summer air. It was a beautiful night, and I hoped it wouldn't en

he could let Salvatore know. But before I could, the front door opened ag

on I could be real around-not the perfect Milene everyone expected. Now, back with these familiar f