Page 166 of Flawed

Luca shakes his head. "We'll stick to what I ordered."

"Very well. I'll have the first course out soon." He leaves the room.

Luca says, "Don't worry. I ran everything past Zara."

My fears fill me again. I assert, "Luca, I think it's really important we don't give Zara any false impressions."

His face hardens. "I agree. And I told you I did no such thing."

I stare at him.

His eyes turn to slits. He studies me so intensely, I cringe inside.

I say, "Don't be upset. She's young and—"

"She's my daughter. I'm not going to do anything to hurt her," he declares.

I release a breath.

He lowers his voice. "Tell me you don't believe I would ever hurt her."

I take a sip of wine, gather my thoughts, and answer, "Not on purpose."

More hurt fills his expression. "But you think I will?"

I place my hand on his arm. "Please try to understand where I'm coming from. When Zara gets a thought in her head, she won't let it go. I don't want to disappoint her more than I already have."

"You haven't disappointed her," he states.

"I have," I insist. "And she gets her determination from you. I don't want her attempting to interfere in whatever this is between us."

Darkness overpowers his sharp features. He takes my hand, asking, "What do you think this is between us?"

My butterflies frantically flutter. I shake my head, confessing, "I don't know."

"Was I not clear?" he questions.

I stay quiet.

"Do you not want what I want?" he asks.

"It's not that simple," I assert.

"Why is that? From where I'm standing, it's black and white. You. Me. Zara. Together. Do you not want that?" he inquires.

My insides quiver. I look away, realizing a new fear sinks its hooks into me.

He turns my chin, forcing me to look at him, demanding, "Answer me."

My emotions lodge in my throat. I blink hard, so tired of crying but unable to control it.

He swipes my tear off my cheek, softening his tone. "Tell me why you're crying."

I choke out, "What if you change your mind? What if we move in and then you realize having me in your life isn't all it's cracked up to be?"

"That won't ever happen, stellina," he declares in a firm voice.

"You don't know that."

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