Page 101 of Matteo
“Whatever it is, I didn’t do it,” I muttered, drawing another round of laughter. Except I found nothing amusing. “Actually, correction. I did punch Matteo, and no, I’m not sorry.”
Dad locked eyes with me, studying me, but I remained perfectly still under his scrutiny. I planned to cough this whole thing with Matteo up to a misunderstanding and move on. How hard could it possibly be?
“There’s been a misunderstanding,” Dad stated matter-of-factly. “I’m afraid Luciano and I made…” The two shared an uncomfortable glance before Dad continued. “We made an assumption while executing the marriage arrangement.”
I swallowed. “What do you mean?”
“Well, Matteo wants… you.” My cheeks must have heated into flames. I glanced around the room, wishing a hole wouldopen up and swallow me. Dad cleared his throat. “How do you feel about that?”
“I don’t understand,” I muttered. “We just announced Hannah’s and his engagement.”
Dad let out a heavy sigh. “We can amend it and?—”
“We’ll talk to your sister and explain it was a mistake,” Mr. Vitale supplied. “It’s not as if they’ve been engaged long. We’ll just do a quick switcheroo. Nico and I will plead mea culpa and move on.”
Hannah’s happy, beaming smile flashed in my mind. She was the happiest I’d seen her in… I couldn’t remember. This would tear her apart, and I didn’t think I could stand by and allow that to happen. Her pain was my pain, as were her struggles.
I straightened in my seat, meeting my father’s and his friends’ gazes head-on.
“Hannah’s been smitten with Matteo since we were children, not me,” I said, my voice unwavering, although a bit scratchy. “Why would it make sense to change it around?”
Mr. Vitale fixed that hazel gaze on me, watching me with a furrow in his brow.
“Are you sure that’s what you want, Arianna?” Dad’s stoic voice pulled my attention. “Matteo said he wants you.”
Conflicted, I churned through many options, my heart yearning to be Matteo’s. But I kept coming to the same conclusion—twenty and some years of my twin’s infatuation and love would be swiftly and irreparably crushed.
But that word remained knotted in my throat, choking me while my lips refused to move and say them out loud.
Dad let me marinate in my conflict for a long moment before he dealt me the final blow.
“Hannah will recover.”
I schooled my face, swallowing down a choke as my heart broke for the second time today. Except this time, it was of my own doing.
“I don’t want to marry Matteo, I’m not interested in him.” I flicked a glance at Mr. Vitale. “Sorry.”
Dad watched me for a beat. “Are you sure?”
No.
I nodded, scared my voice would betray me. As if on autopilot, I stood and made my way to the door when I slammed into a hard chest.
I froze, staring at a set of stormy hazel eyes threatening to swallow me into their depths. He towered over me, and unlike before when his size felt like a shield, now it felt downright ominous.
I blinked, then blinked again, murmuring a low “Excuse me” as I tried to sidestep him.
“Not so fucking fast, Ari,” he growled, wrapping his fingers around my wrist.
My heart slammed against my ribs, each beat a brutal warning that I wasn’t ready for this—for him. I wasn’t prepared to hear his voice rumble across my cheek, feel his touch, or face the undeniable pull that still existed between us.
Yet here he was, gripping me with a force just shy of bruising. Rough. Punishing. And dammit, my body still reacted, every nerve sparking with chaotic energy.
“This is over,” I hissed. “Now let me pass.”
“No.” His gaze dipped to my shirt before coming to rest on my face. “Our parents made a mistake. I intend to amend the announcement and tell everyone I’m marrying you.”
I yanked my hand out of his grip. “I won’t marry you.”
