“Ariana,” his tone went firm, head tilting slightly, “what are you trying to say?”
“No— I mean...do you think Alessandro would be pleased if he saw me today?”
Matt exhaled, nodding slowly.“Yes.I’m sure he would.But even if he isn’t, remember this— you’re worth everything.You’re special.You’re you.You don’t need a man like Alessandro to make you feel that.”
I barely heard half of what he said.His blue eyes locked on me, and everything else blurred.
“That’s only if he isn’t pleased to see you!”he added, laughing softly.
We’d been at the restaurant for about an hour and a half.Dinner was over.Now we sat on the rooftop terrace, high above New York, wine in hand, city lights stretching forever.The air was crisp, quiet except for the distant hum of traffic.I never realized how beautiful this city was— maybe because I’d been too broken to notice.But tonight, sitting here with Matt, I actually felt...okay.Maybe even happy.
“Matt...that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me,” I said quietly.“Thank you.”
He smiled and took my hand.The silence between us wasn’t awkward; it was heavy with something I didn’t dare name.A tension.A pull.I could feel it building, even with Alessandro’s ghost still living rent-free in my head.Matt made me feel new, like maybe there was a version of me that didn’t belong to the past.
His thumb brushed along the side of my hand, slow and deliberate, and it made my chest feel tight.The warmth of his skin sank into mine until I couldn’t tell if it was his pulse or mine that jumped first.When I finally looked up, he was already watching me — steady, quiet, like he was trying to read every thought running through my head.
I should’ve pulled away.I didn’t.Instead, I let him trace my fingers, let his hand linger just a little longer than it should have.It wasn’t just comfort anymore; it was a spark, one that crawled up my arm and settled somewhere deep in my stomach.
“Matt...”I whispered.
“Hm?”He looked at me, waiting.
“Do you ever wish I could just forget about Alessandro?”
Matt let go of my hand and reached up instead— his palms warm, cupping my face.He leaned in, eyes flicking between mine, and before I could think, his lips pressed against mine.
Soft.Slow.Careful.
I froze, then melted.My hands found his chest, and the moment spun out of control.The kiss deepened— unhurried, real— and something inside me cracked open.For the first time in years, I wasn’t weighed down by guilt or fear.I wasn’t haunted.I was alive.
A year ago, I would’ve shoved him away, shouted, cried about betraying Alessandro.But now?After everything?I needed this.I needed to feel something.
Three years searching for a ghost.Three years convincing myself he was dead.Maybe it was better this way— not knowing.Because what if I did find him?What if he didn’t want me anymore?
Our lips moved together until we finally pulled apart.I opened my eyes and met his— calm, blue, steady.
“No,” he said.
It took me a second to catch up.“No?”
He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing his thumb along my jaw.“No, I don’t wish you could forget him.Alessandro was a big part of your life.It’d be impossible to erase him.He’s what kept you going.That’s why I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
“Do you regret it?”I asked softly.
He hesitated, then nodded.
“Do you want to regret it?”
His eyes flicked to mine again.“No.”
I smiled faintly.“It’s been years, Matt.How long am I supposed to wait for something that might never happen?I don’t even know where he is.”
He nodded slowly.“We could try finding him again.I’ll help you.”
That made me smile wider.I slipped my arm through his.“Let’s just go home, Matt.Please.Let’s go home.”
We headed downstairs to the lobby.Matt stopped at the counter to pay, and I excused myself to the restroom.Inside, I washed my hands, fixed my hair, tried not to stare too long at my own reflection.For once, I looked...calm.Almost normal.
