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I pressed my lips together, trying to get a grip on my racing pulse.
“Although,” he added, studying me. “From how cagey you’re acting, I might be inclined to think there is a guy.” Nicco’s brow went up and I scowled.
“You are such a pain in the ass.”
“I tell him that almost every day.” Arianne joined us, pressing herself into my brother’s side. He looped his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her hair.
“Alessia likes a boy.”
“I do not.”
“Don’t tease her.” Ari reprimanded, offering me an apologetic smile. But then she added, “You know Bailey’s friend Kye seems nice.”
“Ugh, go away. Both of you.”
“What? I’m just saying he’s a nice guy. He’s going to be at Montague too in the fall.
You could show him—”
“I’m going to get some air.” I didn’t stop to hear their pleas and apologies as I hurried out of the room and down the hall toward the back exit that led to the hotel’s courtyard.
Moving a distance away from the building, I climbed the stairs to a small gazebo and gripped the railing, looking out over the stunning gardens.
I was hardly surprised to hear footsteps behind me. It was Jay’s job to follow my every move. Unless I was at home or at Nicco and Arianne’s apartment, he was my permanent shadow. Most of the time, I could forget he was there. But times like right now, when I craved a moment alone with my thoughts, it was impossible.
“You know, you didn’t have to follow me out here. It’s quite safe.” I let out an exasperated sigh, not sparing him a backward glance.
“You know that’s not now it works, Principessa.”
“Tristan?” My heart galloped in my chest like a band of wild horses as I turned to meet his cool gaze. “What are you doing out here?”
“I wanted to clear the air after our conversation earlier.”
“Conversation?” A bitter laugh spilled from my lips. “We didn’t have a conversation, Tristan.”
His lips pulled into a flat line as he approached me. Slow, sure steps, his legs ate up the distance. He was tall, towering over me. I’d always liked that about him. The way he made me feel small and safe and protected. At least, until I overheard that conversation between him and my brother.
Everything changed after that.
Like some invisible line had been drawn in the sand between us.
Before, I’d been Nicco’s younger sister with an innocent crush on my brother’s girlfriend’s cousin. It was harmless. Cute. Unthreatening.
Until it wasn’t.
Until he decided that he’d rather guard Bella than be around me and my silly little crush.
A sticky trail of embarrassment snaked through me.
It wasn’t like I actually thought anything would ever happen between us. He was Tristan Capizola, not to mention incredibly good looking, he could have any woman he wanted.
“I should get back to the party,” I said, moving around him. I didn’t want to be out here, listening to his forced apologies.
But his hand shot out, grabbing me. “Wait, Principessa.”
“Why do you keep calling me that?” I bristled.
His eyes darkened, glinting under the moonlight. It was a beautiful night, a blanket of stars twinkling like diamonds across the clear, inky sky.
