Page 178 of My Italian Love Affair

"The cloud?"

"It happens," I shrug. "Technology these days. Really unreliable. Unless, of course, you never sent it."

She crosses her arms, shifting her weight like she’s already planning her escape.

"I’ve been busy."

"Ah, sì,of course," I smirk. "I can imagine you haven't had eventhirty seconds to send a message."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a pain in the ass?"

"Yes, you. And yet, here you are," I murmur, stepping closer, boxing her in against her car. "Standing in front of me. Talking to me. Looking at me like you missed me."

"I’m not looking at you like that," she snaps, but her gaze flickers - to my lips, my chest, my hands braced on the car beside her.

"Liar."

She swallows.

"If you’re quite finished -"

"Relax," I say, tilting my head. "I just wanted to see you."

Her breath catches.

"Well, you’ve seen me."

I stay where I am, close enough to feel the warmth of her body, to see the rise and fall of her chest.

"Is that all I get?" I murmur. "A cold shoulder and no text?"

A flicker of uncertainty crosses her face, and then I remember the way she was moving just now - the way she kept looking over her shoulder, the way her grip on her keys was just a little too tight.

"Why were you so jumpy?"

She blinks, clearly caught off guard by the change in topic.

"What?"

"You were moving fast, looking over your shoulder like you thought someone was following you," I say, my gaze searching hers. "Did something happen? Did someone say something?"

Her lips part, but she hesitates.

"No," she says finally. "I just... I don’t know. It’s late. I guess I was just being cautious."

I don’t believe her.

Not for a fucking second.

But I also know her well enough to know that pushing too hard will only make her shut me out.

"You sure?" I press, my voice lower now, softer.

"I’m fine, Matteo," She nods. "Really."

I study her for another second, then nod slowly, filing it away for later.

"Alright," I say, my smirk returning. "But you know what’snotfine?”

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