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She’s really trying, which makes it even harder on me to say no. “I appreciate it, but maybe another time. Ok?”
A flash of hurt passes through her eyes—or at least I think so. It’s gone in a matter of seconds before she smiles. “Ok, fine. I’ll leave you to it. I’ll just be downstairs, resting.” She pats my arm, waiting for me to respond, but when I don’t, she just nods and leaves the room.
I slump onto the bed, desperately wishing I could go back in time and agree to spend the day with my sister. Why are things like that so hard for me? Why can’t I just be normal and have no issues with talking to people?
I spend the rest of my day, alone. Normally, I would have no issue with this, but today, it makes me feel sadder than I’ve felt in a long time.
* * *
I forcemyself to join Emilia and Marco for dinner when the time comes. They’ve let me stay in their house. I need to show them my gratitude.
I freeze when I reach the foyer and see Leo coming into the house. I try to walk past him without him noticing, but he calls out to me. Why is it that I’m normally ignored, but the one time I actually want to be, the person I don’t want to talk to notices me?
With a deep breath for courage, I turn to face Leo. “Hello.”
“Trying to sneak away from me?” He saunters up to me with a charming smile. “I have to say, I’m offended. I thought you Moretti girls had more manners than that.”
“Sorry,” I apologize instinctually.
He leans in closer, and I resist the urge to step back. “You don’t actually have to apologize for that. In fact, I should be the one apologizing. My comments to you yesterday were rude. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. You’re a guest here. Shit, you’re Marco’s family now. So, I’m sorry.”
I don’t know what to say. He sounds sincere, and I always try to forgive and forget. Key word—try.
Leo steps back, chuckling softly. “You look like a deer in headlights. Literally.” His eyes narrow. “Do I scare you?”
“No,” I squeak out. Shoot. Ok, maybe Leo does intimidate me a little bit.
“That didn’t sound convincing.”
I point toward the dining room. “I’m going to have dinner, so …”
“So … mind if I join you? Or do you prefer that I leave you alone?”
My hands flop at my sides. I’ve never been this hyperaware of my body movements before. There’s something intense about Leo’s gaze that makes me sense everything within and outside of myself.
“Aren’t you supposed to stay away from me?” I ask.
He leans against the wall, looking the picture of confidence. “Why would I stay away from you?”
“Because …”
His eyes light up. “Your sister. She told you to stay away from me, right?”
With a shrug, I nod.
“Typical. Emilia doesn’t like me. But that has nothing to do with us.” He stalks closer to me, and this time, I take a step back. Leo notices and a dark grin spreads across his face. “I think you’re afraid of me, Francesca.”
Before I can even think of a response, Emilia comes down the stairs and calls Leo, drawing his attention away from me. The moment his eyes are off me, it’s like I can breathe again.
“Leo, what are you doing here?” Emilia asks, grunting as she reaches the final step. “It’s late. Are you here for Marco? He’s in his office,” she says pointedly.
Leo smiles softly as he looks at her, but she continues to stare him down. He huffs. “I can tell when I’m not wanted. I’ll just go see Marco now.” He gives me a wink on his way past, which makes me flush.
Emilia watches him leave with a hard look, then turns to me. “You ok?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Was Leo bothering you?”
