Page 126 of My Italian Love Affair

“You heard me.”

The irritation on his face is delicious, and for a moment, I think he might actually say something.

Maybe argue.

Maybe insist that he’ll walk her.

I cock my brow, silently daring him to.

But then Daphne shifts beside him, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, and he catches the look on her face - the one that says she’s already made her choice.

And it isn’t him.

Mark exhales sharply through his nose before shaking his head like he’s the one being inconvenienced.

“Fine. Whatever,” he mutters, before turning on his heel and walking away. “See you tomorrow, Sinclair.”

I watch him go for a second before turning back to Daphne, smirking.

“That was satisfying.”

She pinches the bridge of her nose.

“More likeridiculous.”

“Would you rather him walk with you?”

She says nothing.

Just turns toward her car, and I fall intostep beside her.

“You don’t have to do this, you know,” she says after a few moments of silence.

“Yes, I do.”

She glances up at me, brows pulling together slightly, as if trying to work me out.

“What is your deal?” she mutters. “Why do you care so much?”

Because you’re mine.

I don’t say it out loud. Not yet.

Instead, I just shrug.

“I don’t like him.”

“That much is obvious.”

I slide my hands into my pockets.

“He’s a dick.”

“You can say that again,” Daphne huffs, and I glance sideways at her.

She’s not arguing with me.

Interesting.

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