He glances up at me. “I heard you had the best steaks.”
“You can’t be here. Seriously, if my dad comes out—”
“Is that your yellow Bug in the parking lot?”
I let out a frustrated breath and turn to the door again. My dad can’t see Settimo. He doesn’t know anything about us, and I can only imagine how disappointed in me he would be if he did. To him, I’m still the virtuous girl waiting to have sex until marriage. It’s stupid to care, I know, but I do.
“Alex?”
I turn back to Settimo and glare. I’m proud of myself for managing the glare when my spine is tingling just seeing him. Can I be equally terrified as I am flattered that he’d come see me?
“Yes, it’s my car.”
“Hm,” he says, a smirk playing on his lips. “It’s cute. Suits you.”
“Your turn. What are you doing here?”
He leans lazily on the counter and smiles like he’s beyond happy to be making me uncomfortable.
“I wanted to see you.”
“Why?”
Bats flap around in my stomach, and I hold my breath while I wait for his response. He isn’t necessarily here to flirt with me. He could be here to grill me more about my engagement or something. He’sprobablyhere for that. But still, I find myself squirming like a teenage girl waiting for her crush to ask her to prom.
“You don’t want to see me?” he asks.
“Here? No.”
He raises a brow. “But somewhere else, yes?”
I bite my lip and don’t answer. Settimo’s brother flashes through my mind and so does Paolo’s warning. I should say no.
Just say no, Alex.
“No.” I release my breath and get a surge of pride for my willpower.
“Well, that’s too bad.” Settimo mock frowns. “Because I’m not leaving until you agree to let me take you out this evening.”
“Take me out? What do you mean, like a…”?
“Date,” he finishes for me. “Yes.”
I stand perfectly still, not blinking. I keep waiting for Settimo to say he’s joking, because hemustbe joking, but he just stands there waiting for me to respond.
“I’m marrying Paolo. Remember?”
Settimo shrugs. “Pretty sure Paolo won’t mind.”
I snort. “Pretty sure he would. And so would his father. Andmine.” I glance at the door behind me again.
Settimo tilts his head. “What about what you want?”
“It doesn’t matter what I want.”
“Sure it does.”
I roll my eyes at his naivety while simultaneously hoping he doesn’t stop. As much as I want this, as much as I’m weak in the knees at him wanting me, I need him to knock it off. Stop searching me out, stop trying to charm me. Because it’s working, and I need it not to work.