Page 137 of Can't Always Get What You Want

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Nova: I would really appreciate it if you would take my phone call… please Luca, let me explain.

Luca: Great. Hit me with your best shot…

Nova: I want to start by apologizing—again. I am so sorry, Luca. I was caught off guard and feel terrible you were put in that position.

Luca: That position? You mean the position where the woman I’m on a date with pretends we weren’t on a date? This is the second time you refused to be seen with me—remember that time I had to wait in your bedroom and hide so Gio wouldn’t know I was in your apartment? Remember that? Cause I do.

Nova: I thought we’d moved on from that…

Luca: I’m just wondering how you would feel if the roles were reversed. That’s what I’m wondering.

Nova: I know I messed up. I do. I hated saying what I said. It didn’t feel good. I feel like a jerk and if I could take it back, I would. A million times over.

Luca: You didn’t hesitate. You’re acting as if I were the problem here.

Nova: Okay. That is valid. I hear you and deserve this. But I’m asking—begging—for another shot. A redo. A do-again but BETTER, less-traumatic, more-kissing version of last night.

Luca: You’re joking but I’m still mad.

Nova: I’m not joking. I’m groveling and happen to grovel very well. I’ll send an apology cookie cake. Maybe with your face on it??

Luca: Don’t tempt me. I’m emotionally unstable and easily won over by dessert.

Nova: I KNOW. That’s why I’m going to exploit it shamelessly.

Nova: Luca—I can’t fix this if you don’t tell me how. It’s been three days and I miss you. I miss the way you look at me when I say something dumb, but act like it’s brilliant. I miss your handsome face and cute laugh and…

Nova: Please stop icing me out. PLEASE. I get it. I hurt you. But this isn’t a fling to me, I promise…

Nova: Can we talk about this in person?

Luca: I don’t know.

Nova: I’ll let you yell at me.

Luca: When have you ever seen me raise my voice?

Nova: Never? But there’s a first time for everything and you might feel good doing it.

Luca: Nope. I won’t.

Nova: If it makes you feel better, I’m mad at me too…

Luca: Just give me a minute—this isn’t something I can brush off in a text. I also don’t not want to see you but right now this feels too chaotic for me.

Nova: You thrive in chaos. You play a sport where people throw punches and lose teeth and still say “good game.”

Luca: Well, even hockey has penalties. And right now, you’re in the box.

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luca

“Ithought Gio Montagalo was dating Giselle Aguillard?”

I murmur, elbowing to my friend Karl—I’m here tonight as his plus one cause the idiot has no interest in dating—as we make our way into the banquet room. “Who’s the woman with Gio Montagalo?”

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