Page 129 of Arturo's Temptation

“Cover the whole damn thing.”

“You got it,” he chuckled.

Saying my goodbyes to Charlie and the boys, I grabbed the pizza and cans of fizzy drink off the counter and headed for the door. My place was just a few blocks from Charlie’s, but I took the backstreets just in case someone from the Ricci family caught sight of me. I was probably overthinking things but you never knew when these lads would pop up. Even Logan’s wasn't that far from my place.

I turned my key in the lock, kicking open the door to see her preparing the sofa with blankets and pillows from the bedroom. Her hair was shoved up in a messy bun on the top of her head,and her body was covered in an all in one unitard that showed off every line of her body. The curtains were closed, and from what I could see she had made a favourites list on the TV with a bunch of classics.

“You’re back!” she squealed the second she glanced up.

“I got popcorn, drinks and, of course, pizza,” I placed the box down on the sofa, kicking off my boots.

She lifted the lid, her eyes lighting up instantly. “You got extra pepperoni!” She clapped her hands together in delight and seeing her without a care in the world made my heart soar. “Woah, Arturo, the whole thing is completely covered!”

“Can’t afford you nabbing all of mine, can I?” I smirked as she jabbed me in the ribs with her fingers. “But yeah, like you said they never add enough these days.” I collapsed onto the sofa on one side of the box as she relaxed on the other.

“So what are we watching?” she asked, tucking into her first slice.

I scrolled through the list she’d made, stopping on one classic I hadn’t seen before.

“How about that?”

“Jurassic park?!” Her brow shot up in surprise.

“Yeah, I ain't watched it. Is it any good?” I said, grabbing my own slice and biting into the greasy goodness.

“Wait… You’ve never seen Jurassic Park?” I shook my head. “How have you never watched it?” she genuinely did seem taken aback.

“Bella, I don’t think I’ve ever sat down to enjoy a pizza and a film before let alone binged a bunch of films.”

“I’m sorry.” Her eyes went wide with genuine sadness.

“Don’t, princess. This, right here, a pizza date night with the woman who turned my life upside down, was worth the wait.” Her eyes twinkled as she hit play.

“Then Jurassic Park it is.” she smiled, taking another bite out of her pizza slice.

We got lost in the film together, our fingers intertwined. I couldn’t get over how settled I was. I was used to being restless, itching to move. I knew then Bella would be the only one I’d find peace with.

“I have to say, you really know how to show a girl a good time,” she smiled, circling her thumb over my knuckles.

“How so?”

“I just mean there is nothing else I would rather do than this. It’s perfect.” And just like that, my heart stopped.

“God, I love you.”

40

Did he just…tell me he loved me?

Was I hearing things or was that real?

Arturo sat there silent for a minute, a smile forming on his lips before releasing the most boyish chuckle I’d ever heard.

“Ha, yeah… I do… I love you.” There it was again… Those three words.

I sat there dumbfounded, unable to get any words out. Fear and uncertainty filled my gut.

But how could he possibly love me so soon? To my knowledge it had always felt like it would take a lifetime or at least knowing someone really well—like Peyton and Luca or my parents—before a feeling that big would take hold.

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