Page 244 of My Italian Love Affair

"I'd say it's a pretty clear confirmation," I say. "Wouldn't you?"

The reporter’s eyebrows shoot up, and I don’t miss the way that the cameraman’s grin widens as he captures the shot.

Matteo squeezes my waist and kisses my temple.

"There you go," he says. "Public now."

And all on our terms.

*

Eventually, the media scrum intensifies, and Matteo is swept up in more interviews.

He keeps me close, his hand finding mine every time he can, until one of the staff members waves him towards the stage area where the team will receive their medals.

"Stay," he says, gripping my hand.

"Of course I’ll stay," I reply.

"No, not here." He nods toward the far side of the stadium, where family members are being escorted toward a section of empty seats. "There. With them."

My stomach flips.

"Matteo, I…"

"You belong there," he says in encouragement as his thumb strokes my wrist. "With me."

The significance of the gesture isn’t lost on me.

Family.

I hesitate for only a moment, but then I nod.

He kisses me one last time before jogging off to join his teammates. With my heart pounding in my chest, I follow the security guard toward the reserved seating area.

The unfamiliarity of it all presses down on me as I pass women dressed in designer clothes and children waving small Roma scarves. My feet falter for a second, but then Matteo’s words echo in my mind.

You belong there. With me.

I straighten my spine, remove my press pass, and climb the steps toward the family section.

Tonight, I'm not just a journalist. I'm part of this moment.

And if Mark Chapman wants to throw a tantrum about it - thenlet him.

Because Matteo Rossi just won the league.

And I’ll be right here, watching him lift that trophy.

Chapter Sixty

Daphne

The celebrations begin on the pitch and spill into the stadium tunnels like a tidal wave.

Roma’s players lift the trophy high under a storm of gold and crimson confetti, their shouts of joy blending with the deafening roar of the fans. Matteo takes his time with the trophy, kissing it and cradling it like it’s his firstborn child before he turns towards the stands where I sit with the players' families.

Our eyes meet, and he points at me, trophy still aloft, andwinks.

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