Page 50 of Falling for Mr. October

Is that why she wanted to touch herself?

For a moment, all I can do is stare at this woman who’s so much smarter than me.

I’m not a total sap. I know she’s not stepping up for my sake. She wants me to stay for her own reasons, and this is part of her grand sales pitch. She’s trying to make this situation a win-win for everyone—to show me that even if I’m being used, I might benefit from it.

Nonna glances back and forth between us, looking more pleased than she should be considering I just told her the relationship she and Rose have dreamed of since we were kids is as fake as ninety-nine percent of reality television.

Finally, Nonna nods. “If this helps save the farm, and those putanas leave him alone, then yes. We do it.”

My neck and palms start sweating, and suddenly my heart is beating too fast. I want to argue that viewers are only interested in seeing me shirtless. That’s the hook. It’s always been the hook. But I don’t want to get into a circular argument about my abs with my grandmother, or any argument at all with Bianca, who would obviously win.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” I say tightly. “But I guess we’ll need to issue some kind of statement. Not right now, though. I’ve gotta go work out.”

I take another sip of the coffee, then pad over and set the mug on the desk. The alarm clock sitting at the corner tells me it’s even earlier than I thought—just after seven.

My whole body feels jumpy and in need of exercise.

My grandmother is still standing in the doorway, staring me down, but to my surprise, Bianca wraps an arm around her shoulders and says something to her in an undertone. It’s a morning for miracles, because my nonna actually leaves with her.

Bianca did that for me. She could tell I needed a moment to process everything.

Not really for me, I remind myself. For her family. For the farm.

I tug on my sneakers, but before I head outside, I put on sunglasses and the “Smut Slut” hat. I’ve grown fond of it.

Once I’m outside, I run around the fir trees and down to the creek. I run and run and run, until my muscles ache. Even then, I’m tempted to keep going, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you can’t run from yourself. Not even from your alter ego.

Eventually, I circle back and find an unfamiliar black town car parked in front of the farmhouse. As I approach the door, Bianca emerges from the house with a pissed-off expression.

“What’d I do now?” I ask.

She instantly looks more pissed off. Fair enough. I’ve spent a good portion of my life living with my little sister and my grandmother. I should have known better.

“Sorry.” I swipe sweat off my forehead. “What’s up?”

“The mayor’s here,” she says. “He’d like to talk to us.” She hesitates before adding, “I think it’s probably time to mention that he’s my ex-fiancé. The one Kitty convinced me to dump.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

BIANCA

Giovanni’s been running for over an hour and is covered in sweat. For some reason, he looks even sexier than he did an hour and a half ago, when he was sleepy-eyed with mussed dark hair. I guess my lizard brain is drawn to the evidence that he’s strong and capable.

The rest of me?

I’m just glad he came back.

Giovanni takes off his sunglasses and clips them to his shirt. “So this guy…did he come over to challenge me to a duel?”

“He hasn’t said why he’s here. He only showed up five minutes ago. But I doubt that’s what he has planned. He doesn’t like starting fights he can’t win.”

Giovanni’s grin tells me that this, at least, was the right thing to say.

I’d thought I was saying the right thing earlier, when I tried to help him with his grandmother, but the way he ran out of the house suggested he didn’t appreciate it. He probably thought I was pushing my agenda, and in a way, he was right. We do need him, but that’s not the only reason I spoke up.

He seems to believe his abs were the star of The Shirtless Chef. They are perfect abs, but he’s wrong if he thinks they’re the only reason viewers tuned in.

Something about Giovanni makes people feel relaxed and at home. It’s like he has a sixth sense for what people need to feel good about themselves. I saw it last night, at the diner and also with Jason, and it was obvious in each of his videos. He’s the real draw—the whole Giovanni package.