Chapter fifty nine
Alora POV
“This is not how I expected to see your face today.”
“I know, but can you blame me?”
“Come on, smile. Stop brooding like that,” he teased, holding my shoulder and trying to shake me, making the swing move forward.
The garden stretched around us, winter flowers stubbornly alive, the steam from our hot chocolate curling into the cold air.
Moments like this should have felt easy, but nothing in my life was uncomplicated anymore.
“You finally have a winter break till whenever. We should celebrate.”
I raised a brow, my lips slightly parted. “I thought I was the one going to school, not the other way around.”
“Whatever. But at least I don’t have to be here early so I can drive you,” he whined, rolling his eyes.
He’d really helped me through this tiresome semester, one I had even started halfway through.
Somehow, time had rushed forward while I was still trying to catch my breath.
“Thank you for being my personal chauffeur,” I beamed, grinning at him widely.
“Oh, honey, it has been the best few weeks of my life, except the early mornings.”
I looked down at my blinking screen. Only two hours until it was dark.
The breeze gently swept through my hair, making me wrap my arms around myself. I was glad to finally have a break from Bella, especially after she tried being friendly just so I could give her Rafe’s number.
Bella was a problem wrapped in a smile.
But deep down, I knew this wouldn’t be a break. It would just be a different kind of tension. Because I’d have to be with Rafe every single day unless he was out.
The space was physical. Emotionally, he was everywhere.
“How is it going with Rafe? You guys were doing a what again…?”
“Come on, I told you he was giving me space.”
“Oh, space,” he scoffed. “Honey, but you both sleep on the same bed, eat at the same table, and kiss…?”
I bit my lower lip at how he could flip every page like he had memorized it.
“It’s not like that,” I insisted, even though the words felt thin.
I needed it to be true.
“You guys are unbelievable. I’m sure tonight won’t even pass before...”
“Stop that.” I slapped his arm. “He comes to bed when I’m already asleep, wakes up before me, and the kiss was only today because I accidentally knocked over his coffee,” I defended.
Damn. I should definitely ask him about that. I felt really bad for burning him this morning, and typical him, he had to ask for a kiss. One kiss had undone days of carefully built distance.
It wasn’t the kiss that scared me. It was how natural it felt.
“He cares about you. I wish you both spoke the same language, but he’s different.”
“I know that.”
I brushed stray strands from my face, my mind drifting to how he covered me every time he woke up before me, pressing a kiss so soft it lingered long after he was gone.
My heart ached, and I wanted desperately to close the distance, but I didn’t know how without breaking something.
“Oh no. Not today, devil. I didn’t even carry my lip gloss,” Macko yelled, startling me from my thoughts.
“What are you yapping about?” I questioned, lifting my head.
“Look who’s approaching.”
I turned to the side and saw Luka walking toward us.
“I should go,” he said, getting up from the swing.
I grabbed his arm, nudging him to sit back down.
“He’s already seen you. Besides, how long do you want to avoid him?”
He rolled his eyes and sat back down, obviously annoyed.
“Everything is going to be just fine. And if he tries anything, I’ll help you.”
“Girl, that man is the best sniper I’ve ever seen under the Godfather. He’d probably shoot you in two seconds.”
“Honey, my husband is the boss. He’ll probably have both of you buried in the blink of an eye.”
“Oh, now you have a husband? I thought you didn’t care what he did.”
“Whatever. I probably...”
Just then, Luka came up behind us, stopping me mid sentence.
“Good evening, ma’am. Macko,” he greeted, his head slightly bowed. There was something unsettlingly controlled about him.
“Good evening, Luka,” I greeted, while Macko nodded down at the ground, tapping his foot, one hand playing with his hair.
“Ma’am, the...”
“Just… Alora is fine.”
“Sorry, Miss Alora. The Don asked me to give you this,” he said, handing me a palette with samples of colors and a guide showing where they would be applied.
What was Rafe up to now?
“He wants you to choose your favorite colors for the things listed.”
“Why? Is he renovating?” I questioned.
“I’m sorry, I can’t give further information. He didn’t say what,” he politely declined. I nodded in understanding.
Luka spoke like everything had already been decided.
“You can take your time. I’ll pick them up tomorrow when you’re done.”
“Thanks,” I nodded.
“That’s all, ma’am. Thank you for your time. I’ll take my leave now,” he said before striding off.
Macko took a deep breath beside me, lifting his head to confirm Luka was really gone.
“I think you should talk to him. He seems really nice,” I said, breaking the silence.
“That’s the problem. He’s way too perfect for me,” he complained.
“Come on, you can just...”
“Thanks for being here. I think I’m just going to go home.”
“Seriously? You don’t have to go,” I called after him as he rushed off.
When he left, the safety of the moment left with him.
Love. It wasn’t romantic. It was hell exhausting.
Dusk settled in, heavy and uninvited. I cupped my cheeks, debating whether I should go inside or sit out through the night.
“For someone who needs space, you really know how to make me worry, gattina.”
I turned to look at him, dressed casually in a sweatshirt and pants.
He looked different, calmer, heavier, like he’d already made a strategy.
What am I thinking? It’s only been three days, I scolded myself silently.
But something had shifted, and I could feel it in my chest.
“I was just getting some air. I’m just going to go in,” I mumbled, the silence between us stretching too long.
I got down from the swing and turned to go in a different direction.
I thought distance would protect me. I was wrong.
He pulled me back toward him in an instant.
“Put this on,” he murmured softly. “I want to show you something.”