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"That was a one-time thing, Uncle John. I don’t think it's going to happen again."
John leans forward with his firm voice. "But it could, Serena. And I don't want to take any chances. Michael is a responsible man. He'll make sure you're safe and well taken care of."
I want to argue and tell him I don't need anyone's help. But the memory of that night is still too fresh in my mind. I know deep down that John is right.
John sighs, and his expression softens. He then reaches across the table to take my hand.
"Serena, I need you to listen to me. Michael is my best friend and business partner. I trust him with my life. And I trust him with yours."
But John doesn't know that I don’t trust myself around Michael. My emotions get heightened around him, and I just lose my head. The mere thought of spending a month with him fills me with anxiety and uncertainty.
Deep down, it also fills me with anticipation of what might happen between us, knowing our history in Milan two and a half years ago.
"I'll think about it," I say, leaning forward. "But I'm not promising anything."
John nods, looking relieved. "Thank you, Serena. I promise you won't regret it."
I pull out my phone and dial Cassie's number. This whole thing wouldn't have been up for debate if Cassie was still in town, but she returned to Paris after my welcome-home party a few weeks ago.
"Hello," Her chirpy voice answers from the other end of the phone.
"Hey, Cassie," I say, trying to sound upbeat.
"Hey, Serena! What's up?" Cassie responds with her usual high energy.
I take a deep breath before answering. "Well, you know how my uncle is going abroad for a month, right?"
Cassie giggles. "Yeah, I remember you telling me that a few days ago. What's up?"
My heart sinks as I prepare to deliver the news. "Uncle John wants me to stay at Michael's house while he's gone."
There's a pause on the other end of the line. I can hear the cogs turning in Cassie's head. "Michael's house? As in Michael, the guy you hooked up with in Milan? The same guy you have been avoiding like a plague since you found out he's your uncle's best friend?"
I roll my eyes, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"Yeah, that Michael."
Cassie lets out a low whistle. "Wow, talk about awkward. So, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know," I say, feeling the weight of the situation. "Things are going to get more complicated between us. We haven't spoken since he helped me that night, and I'm not sure I want to talk to him."
"I get that, babe," Cassie sighs. "But I don't think anything can be done about it. It seems like your uncle has made up his mind already."
I take a deep breath. "I don't know what will happen between us while I'm there with Michael. I don't want things to get weirder than it already is by continuing to avoid him in his house, but at the same time, I don't want to give him the wrong idea by hanging out with him."
Cassie pauses for a moment before speaking. "Well, what's the worst that could happen? You stay there for a month, and things return to how they were before.”
I shake my head, feeling a sense of unease. "I don't think it's that simple, Cassie. I mean, what if he thinks I'm interested in him? I don't want to give him that idea."
Cassie sighs. "I get it, Serena. But you can't control how things will play out no matter how hard you try. And you can't control what he feels, either. All you can do is be honest and see how things go from here."
I nod, "Okay, I'll try to keep that in mind. But I'm still nervous about living with Michael in his house for a month."
Cassie chuckles. "Well, just think of it as a chance to get to know him better. Maybe you'll find out he's not the guy you thought he was."
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, right. I know who Michael is, Cassie. We had a one-night stand, and he left me in a cold bed alone the next morning, remember?”
Cassie laughs. "Okay, okay, I get it. But people change, Serena. Maybe he's not the same guy he was two and a half years ago."
