Page 14 of Her Cruel One-Sided Love

The girls giggle as soon as I come around to their table, and as soon as I flash them my friendliest smile, it's as if the floodgates have opened, and a torrent of questions comes rushing out.

Are you Ynez Ossani's older sister?

Is your sister really dating THE Massimo Marchetti?

How is he in real life?

It's been like this ever since Ynez and Massimo made their relationship public, and I've gotten used to becoming famous by connection. "It's a yes to all of your questions," I say cheerfully, "but you need to give me your orders first before I can answer anything else."

They groan even as they good-naturedly give in, and as I turn away to pass their orders to the kitchen, I overhear one of them saying they'll need to leave in half an hour to avoid being late for their first class.

Carlita shakes her head in amusement as I hand her the order slip. "SignoreMassimo is really something,sì? Those girls are—-what?Quindici? Sedici?"

"They're still in high school, for sure."

Carlita laughs. "Che incredible.I cannot say he is any more or less handsome than his brothers, but there is really something too irresistible about your sister's boyfriend, don't you think?"

"I don't think I'm supposed to say yes to that." My quip makes Carlita laugh, and I manage to grin like it's no big deal even when my heart is still breaking over her words. It's another thing I've gotten used to, thanks to repeatedly hearing people refer to Massimo as my sister'sboyfriend.

A set of regulars comes in at that moment, and it's the exact kind of distraction that I need. "Buongiorno, Ric, Alfie."

"Buongiorno, Ysa." One-armed Ric used to work asconsiglierefor one of the mafia families in New York while Alfie, well...all we know about him is that he'sfamiglia,and that's all that matters, really.

"Have you heard the news, Ysa?"

"About what?"

Ric lowers his voice, whispering, "Everyone's been sayingLa Stregais on the move again."

"You make it sound so ominous." It's another quip that has someone else laughing while my heart breaks anew, and I only allow my smile to fade once I turn around to hand over their orders to the kitchen.

Bene, ecco qua. There you go, Ysabel.

After five impossibly, tortuously long years, it's finally the beginning of the end.

Three

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