Page 10 of Yakuza Book Boyfriend

I stare at her intently. Hoping my eyes can express all the shit I sure can’t put into fucking words.

“It’s so fucking sad, Ken. If she knew what happened. That you were actually protecting her…”

“You think she would forgive me?” I ask in a voice filled with hope.

“I know she would. Nia is all about friendship, family, trust, and…” Maty’s eyes get lost for a moment, like she’s toying with an idea.

“What is it?”

“I think you’ve been going about this the wrong way,” she mutters.

“What do you mean?”

Before Maty can answer my question, Alessio bursts into her office, walking directly behind her desk to wrap his arms around her. Ugh, not again. It’s the third fucking time he barges in for a ‘quick kiss’. The fuck? What are we? In Junior High? And I’ve barely been here twenty minutes.

“No one wants to see this shit, man.” I shake my head with mock disgust. I’ll give him shit, but I’m fucking happy for my brother. After years of dancing around each other, he finally got his woman.

“Fuck you. No one wants to see your ugly mug.”

Maty rolls her eyes, giggling. “You guys are stupid.” Then she turns to face me, her expression excited. “I have an idea.”

“Whatever you need,” I reply with no further detail needed.

She laughs again before sighing, while resting her head on Lessio’s chest, who’s still frowning at me. “I love this so much for Nia.” Another sigh. Goddamn chicks. “Okay, just promise you’ll do everything I say.”

“For another chance with my girl? You can have my fucking kidney, babe.”

At my last word, Les growls and Maty hits him on the shoulder, before turning back her giddy expression to me. Operation Get Nia Back is in motion.

Twelve

Nia

“No.”

Maty rolls her eyes. “Why are you so damn stubborn?”

“I’m not stubborn. I’m not interested. Period. Now leave me alone.”

She turns her irritated gaze to her guy, silently asking for his help. The smart man raises his hands. “Not getting into this.”

“Thank you, Alessio.” I give him a huge grin and he shakes his head, smiling back. Clearly thinking, both Maty and I are fucking nuts.

“It’s one night, babe.”

“I’m not looking for no one-night, girl.”

Maty comes close to me and rests her hands on my shoulders. Oh Lord. “I’m sorry that happened, Nia. Sorry he hurt you. Sorry you don’t want to know what actually went on. But if you’re honest about not caring, you need to move on. And I’m not asking you to sleep with some other guy. I’m just saying, meet this dude. You guys were a perfect match in the Book Boyfriend database.”

I rest my hands on my hips. “And why am I even in the database? You said you only needed me to do all the testing to help with the beta phase.”

“I did, but your data was there, so…”

I sigh, exhausted by this repetitive conversation. And knowing Maty will just keep insisting till I bend, I give in. At least she stopped trying to tell me about Kenji the Asshole.

* * *

Filling the questionnaires for the Book Boyfriend Dating Agency was heart-wrenching.

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