Elisabetta rapped her knuckles twice against the wooden door before twisting the handle.
"Giacomo..." Her voice faltered as she froze at the sight before her. Her stomach dropped, her head snapped away in an instant. "Oh Dio. I—I'm sorry! I didn’t mean to—I thought—"
"Who the hell is that?" a female voice hissed. "Who is she?"
Elisabetta sighed, already exhausted. Another one, of course. It was another morning, another awkward encounter with another girl.
Giacomo said in a humorous tone, "Calm down, bionda. That's my best friend you're talking about." Whispers passed, sheets shuffled, and then he spoke again. "Okay, Lizzie, you can turn around now."
Slowly, Elisabetta turned her head, her eyes landing on a furious-looking blonde, gripping the bedsheet like it was her last lifeline. It was almost comical how hostile she was. Almost.
Giacomo said, "Hey, good morning," moving to the front of her to avoid the girl's glare. Elisabetta pointed at her watch and hardly gave him a look.
"What on earth are you doing? It's almost eight."
He combed his unkempt hair and said, "I know, I know." "Caught up."
Elisabetta flicked her eyes at the girl, who appeared to be about to lunge at her, and said, "Obviously." She turned back to Giacomo, unfazed. "I’ll wait downstairs. Finish up whatever this is."
"Grazie." He grinned, stepping forward, but Elisabetta shoved her hand between them.
"And if you take too long, I’m leaving without you."
With a laugh, Giacomo took her hand and lowered it. Then he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear, and smirked teasingly. "Yes, ma’am."
A heartbeat too long passed before he pulled away, still grinning. Elisabetta rolled her eyes, flipped him off, and strode out.
Just as she reached the stairs, she heard the unmistakable sneer of the blonde. "Are you screwing her too?"
"Watch your mouth, Alessia." Giacomo’s voice was sharp for once. "That's not how she should be talked about."
As she went down the stairs, Elisabetta grinned to herself.
The sweet voice drew her focus back to them, and she asked, "When are we meeting again?" She could tell the girl was trying to sound seductive without even turning around.
"I don’t think that’s happening. One night, remember?"
Elisabetta wrinkled her nose at the suggestive undertone. "But we had fun, didn’t we? We could do it again. I don’t mind putting in extra effort next time."
"No, Alessia."
Quiet. Then, movement. Elisabetta glanced up just in time to meet icy blue eyes filled with pure loathing.
That’s new.
Why the hell would she hate her?
Perhaps because I interrupted her "nice time."
She whispered to herself, "It wasn't my fault that the door wasn't locked."
After a moment, Alessia looked back at Giacomo. Suddenly she snatched his jacket, pulled him forward, and kissed him.
Giacomo, ever the entertainer, slid a hand into the girl's hair while Elisabetta sneered. She really wanted to turn away, but she was unable to do so for some absurd reason.
As she walked away, Alessia said in a sickly sweet voice, "Later, bello," but not before giving Elisabetta a final shady glance.
Giacomo said smugly, "Oh, she’s playing my game now."
Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Elisabetta pushed off the couch. He was in front of her once more before she could move, that foolishly endearing smile still there. "Hey, pretty. Made it just in time, huh?"
She stepped around him and yelled, "Shut up and move." But his hand caught her wrist, firm yet gentle.
"Everything okay?"
The sudden concern on his face threw her off. His brown eyes lingered as he looked into hers. Her annoyance faltered for a moment.
She forced a smile and said, "I'm fine." "Just don’t want to be late."
Giacomo held her gaze before sighing, finally letting go. "And... I'm sorry you had to walk in like that." "We won't be."
"It's not the first time."
"I will always apologize."
That damn smile appeared again, making her heart do something incredibly stupid.
Not at all. Not today.
She pushed him with her elbow and teased, "You're lucky I hate you less than everyone else."
He smiled. "You’d be miserable without me."
"Your flings wouldn't find that attractive. Keep talking, and I'll knock your teeth out."
"I look good in everything, Bella."
"So arrogant."
"If you looked like this, you would be too."
She prodded his side, but her smile wouldn't go away.
The typical cozy silence between them pervaded the majority of the drive. This silence persisted until Elisabetta spoke.
"I dislike her."
"Who?"
"The girl."
With a sly smile, Giacomo leaned against the car and climbed in. "Don't begin."
"I mean it."
He chuckled but didn’t push. He finally spoke after the seatbelts clicked into position and they were both inside. "Good thing I’m done with her then."
Elisabetta's absurd sense of fulfillment was wholly illogical.
And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to care.
