Chapter 30
Lacey
I packed up my books and headed back to my dorm room to change. Most of the day, I hoped he would text me to hang out tonight, but I didn’t want to count on it. We were both busy. I threw on a black sweater dress, some gray ankle boots, let my hair down, and applied some mascara. I didn’t have time to do my face right now. He would be here any minute. Ding.
Matteo: I’m outside campus. You ready?
A huge smile swept across my face. I picked up my cardigan and headed out the door.
“Hey there, hottie. Looking for a ride?” Matteo yelled at me as I walked up to his car.
“Sure, but not the ride you are insinuating,” I replied as I offered a wink. He slid his hand up onto my inner thigh, sending a shiver up my spine. His hand was freezing. I screeched, and he turned to look at me.
“What? I can’t use you to warm my hand up?” he asked as he smiled at me and arched his brow.
Boy, was he making me crave him. He was probably doing this on purpose, knowing we were going to his sister’s. What a tease!
When we walked into his sister’s house, she met me at the door with a huge hug.
“Oh my God, I’ve missed you. I was scared he had lost you for good. Ugh, I’m so happy for you guys,” she said with my hands in hers.
“Yeah, your man was down in the dumps after you left. He was stuck in his apartment for a week, sulking. We told him he needed to get you back. Glad to see he listens to us. He’s already smiling again,” Shawn said to me while shaking Matteo’s hand.
Sulking, huh? Well, I was glad to know we were both doing the same thing. Although, if he hadn't set up that dinner, we wouldn’t have gotten back together. I never would have met up with him again. But holy hell, was I glad I did!
I pulled him close and planted a very passionate kiss on his lips. It was different now, there was no acting going on. Everything was very genuine. There were no gray areas now. We could be ourselves. It felt nice. No more pretending.
We sat down to eat, and conversation flowed nicely. They really didn’t seem mad about the situation at their wedding. Abigail and I got close during my time there. I was glad to see she wasn’t holding a grudge.
“So, Abigail, how was your honeymoon? How have the first few weeks of being married been?” I laughed as I put her on the spot in front of both men.
“You better be careful how you respond, sis. Hubby might be upset,” Matteo said as he laughed.
She looked around the room at everyone before responding. “Well, I’m sure you don’t want to hear the sexy details. I’ll spare you. The honeymoon was mostly spent inside our room as you can imagine. The last couple weeks, well, they don’t feel any different than before. The only difference is we are married.”
I was jealous of their love. They had been in love for years and finally took the leap of commitment. They knew everything about each other. Hell, the way they looked at each other made me jealous. One of the happiest couples I’d ever seen.
After dinner was over, us girls drank some wine while the boys went to the man cave to watch sports or something. It was nice to be sitting across from Abigail and not having to pretend anymore. My feelings for Matteo were genuine.
“So, are you happy to be back with my brother?” she asked with a smile, twirling her wine glass.
I wanted the lie to be over and the truth to come out, but Matteo hadn’t said anything. How would we explain that I worked at an escort service where Matteo hired me to pretend to be his girlfriend, and then we magically fell in love in seven days? His mom would have a heart attack. If it got out, the paparazzi would have a field day. The secret had to stay contained. Just between the two of us. Who cared what brought us together? The only thing that mattered was that we were together now.