Page 115 of Italy Can Bite Me

I stop.No.

No more lies.

No more dodging.

I have to tell the truth.

I have to say it out loud.

“That was before I fell in love with—”

“Italy,” Matteo cuts in smoothly, his smile never reaching his eyes. “Katie fell in love with Italy. Like everyone does. You will too, I’m sure.”

He gives me a pointed look, daring me to contradict him. I’m too stunned to speak. The words are right there, but my tongue’s on strike.

“And what a delight it has been! But alas, today is our last adventure together on this tour. I must round up our wonderful group.Arrivederci!”He turns to leave, adding over his shoulder, “Again, congratulazioni to you both. Katie, please leave a five-star review, per favore.”

And with that, he walks away. Like I’m nothing. As if we’re nothing. My chest aches, and it’s not just from holding my breath.

Matteo reaches the center of the room and claps his hands. “Buongiorno! I have fantastico news about Stan. He is doing much better but still recovering. Therefore, he and Rose will not be with us today.”

There’s a collective sigh of relief from the seniors, but Matteo doesn’t spare me a second glance as he continues. “And it appears that Katie and Deborah have made other plans today. But for the rest of you, we will meet in the lobby for our walking tour of Rome.”

Is this how it ends? Matteo Monti tossing me aside like another tourist he sweet-talked into bed, then dismissed by checkout time? Everything we’ve shared so easily forgotten? Am I just one more forgettable stop for the tour guide and his love-‘em-and-leave-’em itinerary?

My chest constricts; the ache spreading through me is a slow poison. No. This isn’t us. Not after the way he kissed me, the way “mi amore” fell from his lips like a love spell. I can’t reconcilethatman with the one ignoring me now.

This can’t be the end. I won’t let it be.

“I’m still coming!” I shout. Heads swivel in my direction, and I can feel every pair of eyes in the room on me.

Jared frowns, his brow furrowing in that familiar, condescending way that used to make me feel small. “Katie, I thought we’d spend the day together.”

“Katie, sweetheart,” my mom chimes in. “We have to work on wedding details. So much to plan!”

I shake my head, my voice firm. “I already mapped today out in my binder. And you know how I am about my schedules.”

Jared’s hand finds mine. “Of course. I know you like to stick to your plans.”

“I’m sorry,” Matteo interjects, “but we don’t have room for everyone in your group to join us.”

“That’s fine,” Aunt Deb pipes up with unholy glee. “Jared can take my place.”

The look I shoot her could incinerate her designer sunglasses, but she just wiggles her fingers as if she’s conducting an orchestra of chaos.

“I’ll hang back and help Suzanne with the wedding plans,” she adds with faux innocence. “I’ve seen Rome plenty of times.”

The room closes in. My brain, usually a well-oiled machine of backup plans and emergency protocols, is out of order. My heart pounds so hard I hear it in my ears.

Jared turns to Matteo, completely oblivious to the tension radiating off both of us. “Thanks, man,” he says, clapping Matteo on the shoulder like they’re old frat buddies. “Appreciate you making room for me to be with my girl.”

“I aim to please,” he says, his tone razor-sharp.

“Oh, he’sveryaccommodating,” Deb adds with a wicked grin. “Isn’t he, Katie?” Then she winks at me again, completely unbothered by the fact that she’s actively lighting my life on fire.

“Well,” Jared says, turning to me with that smug, self-assured smile—once swoon-worthy, now rage inducing. “Guess it’s settled. Ready for our big day in Rome, Katiebug?”

Katiebug.God, I hate that nickname. I used to think it was sweet, but now it’s a leash, like he’s trying to pull me back into a version of myself I’ve outgrown.

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