Page 52 of Falling for Mr. October

An inscrutable look passes over his handsome face. “And I answered you because you were mine.”

My breath catches in my throat, though I know he can’t mean it. He was a year older than me, and he’s always been too handsome for his own good. He probably had a kissing booth at his school, manned only by him.

He leans in, smelling like our Christmas trees after a heavy rain, and says, “And you knew I was freaked out about everyone knowing my secret, so you offered me a place to stay. Basically, you become Miles in this story.”

I give this some thought and nod. “That’s good.”

“I was going to keep hiding, but then the truth came out.”

“I meant what I said earlier,” I say urgently. “You shouldn’t walk away from The Shirtless Chef. You’ve built something worth keeping.”

“You don’t have to fix me, Bianca. You already have your hands full. And, as you’ve reminded me more than once, I’m Miles’s friend, not yours. I’ll help you for his sake.”

I stare at him in disbelief, feeling pissed off and guilty at the same time. Feeling seen, too, because I do have a compulsion to solve the problems I see.

But he doesn’t wait for a response. He walks toward the house, and I stand there staring at his perfect butt as he disappears inside.

I really don’t want to go back in there.

Rhett Gallagher is an asshole and a half. I’d like to tell him to fuck off, but he obviously wants something—cough, cough, Giovanni—and if Giovanni throws him a few favors, he might back off. Maybe he’ll even stop fighting Kitty’s foundation and I can start doing some real good in this town.

But I absolutely cannot leave Giovanni to deal with Rhett and the nonnas without any backup, so I heave a sigh, climb the creaking porch steps, and follow him into the house.

My nonna, who is waiting just inside the door, grabs my wrist. “Let them talk,” she says in a hushed voice. “They must work this out as men.”

“Work what out?”

She presses her hand to her chest. “They both want to lay claim to you. It’s very exciting. Giovanni stormed into that room like a warrior charging into battle. He didn’t even bother to change his clothes. We can listen from the bathroom next to the sunroom. The vent allows everything to be heard. Francesca is already waiting there. Come.”

“Rhett’s not here to lay claim to me,” I say, affronted. “He’s here to lay claim to Giovanni.”

“Madonn’,” she mutters. “Is that why you broke the engagement?”

“Oh, for God’s sake. I don’t mean it like that. He wants to suck up to Giovanni because he knows people will come to Apple Ridge just to see him. He wants to—” The words die on my lips, and I suddenly feel like a real asshole.

I was going to say he wants to use him, and we can’t allow it, but isn’t that exactly what I’m trying to do?

I felt better about using Giovanni when I told myself I was going to help him too. But if he won’t let me do that, then I’m no better than Rhett, trying to use his fame for my own benefit.

Well, at least I can protect him from being alone with the biggest asshole in Apple Ridge.

“Look, Nonna Rose, I’m not leaving Giovanni alone in there. He needs backup.”

She scoffs. “That boy can fight his own battles.”

“But he shouldn’t have to fight them alone,” I insist, already freeing my arm. My pulse escalates as I walk along the worn runner rug.

Outside the sunroom, I can hear Giovanni and Rhett’s muffled voices, though I can’t make out any words yet. When I open the door, a beam of sunlight seems to be illuminating Giovanni and Rhett as they finish shaking hands.

I hope Giovanni’s grip is crushing.

Rhett glances at me, his tawny hair swept back, making his big blue eyes look larger beneath their sculpted brows. He’s wearing a seersucker suit, which looks as ridiculous as I’d hoped next to Giovanni’s casual look.

“Bianca,” he says with a sleazy grin. “I was just congratulating Giovanni on his big win.”

“His win?”

Giovanni laughs and sidles up to me, sliding an arm around my back. I stiffen before leaning into it. “He’s not talking about winning you, cara mia, although we can all agree I was the victor there.”