My heart aches at her words. It agrees with her. It fears being hurt. I can’t stop now though. It’s too late. Either way, my heart will be broken. I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.
“I’m sure, Iz. I’ll be okay. Even if he does break my heart, it will be my fault. I’m going into this with my eyes wide open. I don’t want to look back later in life and think ‘what if he was the one?’ I want to know if he is. This is the best way of doing that. I think he’s holding back out of some sort of gentleman complex he has. We’ll see if that’s true.”
She sighs before taking her bowl to the sink and cleaning it. Once she’s done, she comes and wraps her arm around me. “If he breaks your heart, I’m going to break his dick, whether you want me to or not. I’m not scared of Lorenzo. He’s just a man, after all.”
“You don’t need to do break anything, Iz. I can take care of myself. Besides, we all know there is only one man you’re afraid of.”
“The devil? Nah, I rule his world.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Giovanni.”
She grows somber. “I’m not afraid of him, Mia. I know how the story ends. Been there and done that. Just because I avoid him doesn’t make me afraid. It makes me smart. When you get burnt by the flame, you don’t keep putting your hand in the fire.”
“He cares about you, Iz. Everyone can tell.”
“Well, he should have thought about that when we were kids. It’s too late now, Mia. Just let sleeping dogs lie.”
I wish she could see what Sofia and I do. Giovanni’s head over heels in love with her, but she’s so caught up in her past that she refuses to even give him a moment to explain himself. We still don’t know what happened, but Giovanni will be a part of her life forever now, especially with Sofia being with Bash. Hell, if things end up as I hope they do, I’ll be with Lo. Then Iz will be stuck with us all, which will include Giovanni.
“Okay, Iz. I will, just consider it, okay?”
She nods before leaving the kitchen. I know she won’t consider it. It seems she’s already burnt that bridge. I pray Giovanni’s strong enough to rebuild it.
∞∞∞
“What are you doing tomorrow after work?”
I screech as I turn and find Sofia standing behind me. “Fuck, Sof. You scared the fuck out of me!”
She giggles as her smile grows. “Good, you looked like you were lost in your own little world.”
I had been. My mind hasn’t stopped replaying last night. Every time I think about it, my body becomes all hot and bothered. I even dropped a plate earlier, which I haven’t done since right after I first started waitressing as a teenager. Scared one of the new girls half to death.
“Sorry. My mind’s preoccupied.”
“Does it have anything to do with the way I saw you and Lo dancing last night?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
“Shut up, Sof.” I laugh as I smack her arm. “But, yes, it does. Shit, if my mind doesn’t clear soon, I might need to borrow your office.”
I mean it too. I’ve been so turned on all day with the dirty thoughts running through my head. At this point, it wouldn’t take me long to finish myself off. It might even take some of this tension from my body.
“Damn, Mia. I didn’t realize you were so dirty.” She looks around, making sure no one overhears us. “If you need to, do it before Uncle Tony comes by for the night drop-off.” She shoots me a wink.
“I’m glad you understand.” I shake my head at her. I cannot believe she gave me permission. I was mostly kidding. “Anyways, I think I’m almost done here for the day.”
“Good. You can head out once your last table is done. Oh, what are you doing tomorrow after work?
“The usual, showering and not moving until I have to. why?”
“Bash wants you to come by tomorrow night for dinner. He has something he wants to discuss with you.”
“Oh? Like what?”
Her eyes shine like she knows something I don’t. “I can’t tell you, Mia Pia. It would ruin the surprise.”
“Fine. I’ll be there. What time?”
“Six o’clock for dinner. You can bring Lo with you if you want.” She gives me another wink before turning to leave. “Oh, and my office is open, Mia.”
