It’s gotten awkward. The air suddenly feels cold, and my stomach turns.
“You do know I was kidding, right? I’m marrying Paolo. You and I barely know each other.”
“Yes, I know you were kidding.” He goes to pour another glass of wine, but the bottle’s empty. I half expect him to pull a flask from his pocket. Just how bad a drinking problem does he have?
“Paolo isn’t that bad,” he says as if it’s some sort of comfort. “You’ll probably wind up happy with him.”
“Didn’t you say he was gay?”
Settimo shrugs. “It’s just a rumor.”
Does hewantme to be happy with Paolo?
Then what the fuck are we here for?
“Okay… He’s still an abusive piece of shit, but surewe’ll wind up living happily ever after. Who knows, maybe I’ll lose every ounce of self-respect I have and can be thrilled to be an obedient doormat.”
“Love the optimism,” Settimo kids. I don’t return the smile he gives.
“You know, it’s getting kind of late.”
“Alex…”
I place my napkin on the table and stand. I look toward the rooftop door. “You ready?”
“Alex, don’t be like that.”
I can’t look at him. If I do, I might do something irreversibly stupid like cry. “I’m not being like anything. I just have an early day tomorrow.”
Settimo stands and disappointment smacks me in the face. It almost feels literal with the way my eyes sting. He’s going to take me home, just like that. Not even a fight.
Settimo pushes in his chair, and I start toward the door. He follows me to it, but when I put my hand on the knob, he grazes his fingers over my hips, making me shiver. He turns me around and presses his lips to mine. I give in for only a few seconds before pulling away.
“I don’t think we should do this,” I say.
“Why not?”
Finally, I get the courage to look at him. At first, it’s in disbelief, but my eyes quickly narrow. “Are you serious?”
“Uh…”
I scoff. “Did you actually ask me out on a date with the sole purpose of having sex with me? I’ve already had sex with you, you idiot! Clearly, I’m not that hard to get. You don’t have to fool me into thinking this is anything more than it is.”
Settimo takes a step back and massages the back of his neck. “I’m confused. What did you think this was?”
“A date.”
“Itisa date.”
“One where you wish me and my dickhead future husband well? Kind of odd, don’t you think?”
“I didn’t wish you well.” He gives his head a shake when he realizes how wrong that sounds. “I mean, Idowish you well. I hope you have a good life, Alex. Sincerely. I just wanted to spend an evening with you.”
My heart sinks until it’s beating in my toes. Of course he did. Why am I getting so worked up?
“I know, I just… I don’t know, the comment about Paolo pissed me off. I don’t want to pretend everything is going to be great. I’m not asking you tosaveme or something, I was just joking when I said—”
“I know. Really, I do. I’m sorry I made it awkward.”