Page 33 of Stalk

Fuck.A cigarette sounds like exactly what I need to chill out.

“Are you okay?” Ren asks, their voice slurring just a little as we pull up to the hotel, bringing me back to D.C.

I nod.“Sì.My thoughts are keeping me quiet, that is all.”

They purse their lips in a silent understanding that doesn’t go past me.

“I’ll park, you get out now,” Marco says with a yawn. “See you in the morning, Mattia, unless you need me.”

“Buona notte.”

Ren and I hop out of the car. They follow my footsteps into the lobby and toward the elevators. As soon as the doors slide open, I almost bump into Rachel, who’s apparently just come down from one of the floors above.

Fantastico.

“Oh!” Rachel’s eyes grow wide and playful as she steps out. “Mattia, how are you?” She slides her gaze over to Ren, curious about my companion.

My cheeks suddenly feel like they’re on fire. “Well, and you? My friend, Joseph, stopped by to catch up.”

“That’s lovely. Nice to meet you, Joseph.” She nods to Ren. “I’m well, Mattia, thank you. Text me or call me tomorrow?”

“Absolutely,” I say, lying through my teeth. Marco and I are being moved to a rental house nearby tomorrow, which I’m certain Zìa has already informed her of. Perhaps she still thinks we will have that second date. I couldn’t imagine why—especially with how it ended.

Rachel struts away and Ren and I step into the elevator while I try to shake off the heavy embarrassment coating my skin. I exhale a long sigh of relief when the elevator doors slide closed and we start our ascent.

“She was looking at you like she wanted to eat you,” Ren says all of a sudden, sounding like they’re trying to suppress a laugh.

My cheeks blaze again.“Silenzio.”

That does make hi—themlaugh, and I huff out a breath. The second the elevator opens up on my floor wide enough, I dart out and head to my room, not caring if Ren is keeping up behind me or not. When I stop at the door, they come to an abrupt halt beside me.

“You’re the one who told me you wanted to talk in private,” they remind me.

I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. “Don’t remind me.” I unlock the door, turn on one of the smaller lights in the entryway, then make a beeline for the bar. Suddenly, I’m feeling way too sober. Andpissy. “Drink?”

Ren hovers beside me, and it makes me want to shove them away. Or strangle them. Yeah.Thatsounds therapeutic.

“Uh, I guess I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

There they go again, acting squirrely and unsure of themself. The urge to throttle them increases, so I busy my hands by making us two things of gin and tonic. I wish there were fresh limes at my disposal, but oh well.

When I’m done, I hand Ren’s drink to them a little too roughly, the liquid threatening to spill after they grasp the glass. “Um, thanks.”

I nod. We stand there awkwardly beside the bar, and it makes me antsy. “Do you smoke?”

“Like, weed?” Ren asks with an obnoxiously quirked eyebrow.

I take it back. Ren still annoysthe fuckout of me.

“No.Sigarette.”

Ren shrugs. “Sometimes, I guess?—”

“Great,” I say quickly, cutting them off. “Join me on the balcony for a smoke, then we will talk.”

“I still don’t understand what else we need to discuss…” Ren mumbles.

“Hold this,” I demand, handing over my drink to them.

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