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Marco steps forward, placing a hand on Emilia’s shoulder. “I’ll make sure he gets it. Leo, you and Francesca will marry. Even if neither of you is happy about this, it needs to be done.”
“But—” Leo starts to say when Marco cuts him off.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have snuck into Francesca’s room in the middle of the night to make out. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be in this predicament. Take this as a lesson to learn, Leo. Your actions have consequences. Now, come on.” He walks to the door, motioning for Leo to follow.
Leo turns to me. “Don’t I get the chance to talk to Francesca about this?”
Marco hesitates before nodding. “Fine. Make it quick. We’ll wait in the hall.”
“Wait,” Emilia objects, but Marco shakes his head and guides her out of the room.
Leo step toward me once we’re alone, then stops, like he’s unsure how to proceed. I’ve never seen Leo look this unsure about anything before. Granted, I’ve known him less than a week, and there’s a lot about him I don’t know. I guess I’ll learn about all of that once we’re married.
“Fran,” he says, “listen. I don’t want you to think I don’t like you. I do. I just never thought I’d get married.”
“I get it. I never thought I’d get married either. But what’s done is done.” I inhale, dropping my arms and raising my head. “So, we just have to make the most of it.”
Leo takes my hand, and as usual, it sends electricity shooting up my entire arm. “I guess if I had to marry anyone, though, you’re not so bad.”
I’m sure he meant it as a compliment, but I flinch at his words and pull back. I don’t want to be “not so bad.” I want to be the girl who’s chosen. And Leo didn’t choose me to marry. It’s dawning on me that he probably just wanted to use me for … what? Sex? Why else sneak into my room to kiss me at night?
I have been told time and time again that Leo has a bad reputation when it comes to women. It’s time I finally listen.
“So, if you never intended to get married, then … what were we doing together?” I ask. “You know I can’t be with a man until I’m married, so what were your intentions with me?”
He rakes a hand through his hair as he looks down. “You make it sound so old-fashioned.”
“Just tell me.”
He drops his hand and meets my gaze, not saying anything. It’s because he can’t. There’s no excuse. Leo just wanted me for sex, I’m guessing. He never intended to make an honest woman out of me. Which means my intuition to not trust him was correct.
Now, I’m stuck in an impending relationship with Leo, and it’s clear he doesn’t even want to be in one with me.
“Gotcha,” I say, stepping back.
“Fran—”
“No. It’s fine. What’s done is done. We’re getting married. I can tell you’re not happy about this, so I say we just stay apart until the wedding. I think it will be for the best.”
“But I don’t want to stay apart.”
“You also don’t want to marry me.”
“Neither do you!” He puts his hands on his hips, looking at me with wide eyes.
“I know. Because I never thought it was in the cards for me, and … the truth is, Leo. I don’t trust you.” I’m in awe of myself for speaking the truth. I normally keep my innermost thoughts to myself. But something about Leo makes me brave enough to speak up. “And you don’t want this. Which means you were ok with ruining my reptation without marrying me. So, I think you should go.”
“Francesca, let me explain.”
“Just go,” I say, too tired to talk anymore. “I want to go back to bed.”
Leo sighs, and after giving me a long look, he joins Emilia and Marco in the hallway, leaving me alone.
* * *
The wedding planningbegins the very next day.
I think Marco and Emilia are worried Leo will say something to someone about me, so they want to rush the wedding before he gets the chance to do so.
