Page 33 of Iron Heart

“I don’t know,” I murmur, coloring as I remember what Dante said about him. “He’s definitely good looking, but… he feels more like a brother than boyfriend material.”

Savannah sighs, yawning again. “You never know until you try him. You should flirt with him. Get him to ask you out. Give him a chance.”

“I’ll think about it,” I lie, and then catch myself yawning, too. “Okay, I think we’re both ready for bed. Help me put this stuff away.”

“You just want me to stop talking about this,” she points out.

“Exactly. Come on.”

We heave ourselves to our feet. Thankfully, Savannah drops the issue as she helps me carry stuff out to the kitchen. We trudge up the stairs together, and I give her a hug in the hallway before we separate to go to our respective bedrooms.

“Night, Vannah,” I murmur. “It’s nice having you here.”

“Night, Tori Bori,” she says back. “It’s nice being here.”

As I go into my room and close the door, I realize that once again, we’ve avoided talking about the fact that she basically doesn’t even live here anymore. A wave of guilt washes over me. If Savannah didn’t feel like she had to watch over me, would she and Jeremy have moved in together by now? Probably. I hate the thought that she’s holding herself back from moving forward with her life because of me.

I promise myself to talk to my best friend about this very soon. But I’m not sure how I’ll manage to convince her that there’s no reason for her to feel like she’s my caretaker.

As I lie in the darkness, waiting for sleep to come, I listen to the familiar, jumpy thump of the organ that keeps the blood flowing through my veins. And I wonder why my foolish attention whore of a heart won’t just let people live their lives, without worrying so much about me.

* * *

The next morning,I’m in the bathroom and Savannah’s downstairs when I hear a familiar thumping knock at the front door.

“Vannah!” I yell down the stairs. “It’s the electrician! Can you let him in?”

My breathing is shallow and quick, my mouth suddenly dry as cotton as I finish up applying my makeup and clasp a cuff bracelet on my wrist. Glancing at myself in the mirror, I roll my eyes. “You weirdo,” I whisper, then turn away from my reflection and walk slowly and casually down the stairs.

I go into the living room to find Savannah staring up at Dante like she’s in the presence of an actual, honest-to-God giant. Dante looks over and notices me. “Hey,” he grunts, his voice morning-gravelly. “Figured I’d catch you before you left for work. Save you the trouble of getting me the key later.”

Savannah turns my way, and I find myself blushing.

“About that,” I murmur back. “You can just keep the extra set of keys. They’re still on the counter where you left them. It’ll be simpler that way, so you can come and go as you please.”

One corner of his mouth turns up slightly. “You trust me now?”

My face flames. “Something like that.”

Dante’s eyes leave mine, lingering briefly on my face before he turns away. “Okay. I’m gonna get to work. Excuse me,” he rumbles at Savannah as he brushes past, toolbox in hand.

“Ho-lee-shit!” hisses Savannah when he’s out of range. “Holy wowsers!That’sthe electrician?”

“Yeah,” I admit. “His name is Dante. Sorry, I should have introduced you.”

“Iknowwhat his name is!” She waves a hand and shakes her head in disbelief. “God, Tor. The D’Agostino brothers were the hottest boys at Ironwood High. They’re practically legends!”

“He’s got brothers?” I blink, stunned at the idea that there could be more like him.

Savannah raises her eyebrows. “There are five of them. Each one of them better looking than the last one. They didn’t have the best of reputations, but good lord, the teenage panties that were melted by them…” She trails off, her eyes getting a far-away look for a second.

“Seriously? Do they all live in Ironwood?”

“No, Dante’s the only one who still lives here. Though I’ve heard rumors his brother Dominic is back in town.” She pretends to fan herself. “Lord, he’s probably just gotten hotter, too, just like Dante. I’m not sure the town of Ironwood can contain the two of them without spontaneously combusting.” She shakes her head. “Seriously, though, Tor. Obviously, you didn’t know Dante was a legend around here, but you had to notice how smoking hot he is! How did you not tell me your electrician wasfire?”

“I mean…” I stop, at a loss for words. There’s no use pretending I didn’t notice how good-looking Dante is. I’d have to actually be blind. “It just… isn’t relevant?” I squeak, knowing I sound like an idiot.

“Isn’t relevant? Are you crazy?” Savannah’s head swivels toward the kitchen. “How do you even go into the newspaper offices, knowing he’s hereat your house? Don’t you just want to call in sick so you can, ahem,watch him work?” She waggles her brows at me.

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