“Watching over you.”
My head snaps back to his as the weight of his heavy arm lands on the back of my neck.
“So you’re following me.”
He’s wearing black jeans and a maroon long-sleeve shirt that is rolled up on his arms. I can’t look again because I will only stare.
“Call it what you want,” he tries to continue, but I stop my stride right in front of him, his body slamming into mine. “Watch it.”
“Just leave me alone!” I yell louder than I mean to.
A small smirk appears on the lift of his mouth. “Can’t do that.”
I am trying so freaking hard to live in my own bubble for a little while longer, and this asshole is ruining it for me.
“I don’t need you here—just go.” My hands push on his chest, trying to make him go back to his car.
“Donnina, the only way I am leaving is when I have you in my car.” His head tilts at me as my frustration toward him grows.
Donnina. Little woman.
“I am not going anywhere; I’m meeting a friend for lunch, plus I drove here, and I’ll need to drive back.”
“I’ll get someone to drive your car back,” he says calmly. “I’m excited to meet this friend of yours.”
“Why did you even come back?” Fury is running through my veins at this point.
“I’m sure you’re aware. My cousin got married.” He smirks.
“And why are you following me?” I don’t need this man to watch over me like I’m a child. I’m in the city, meeting a friend for lunch—nothing about that accounts for the need for protection.
“Someone has to. Your father doesn’t seem to care about where you wander off to.”
I choose not to respond to him any more. I don’t want my last moments to be filled with anger toward someone who doesn’t deserve anything from me.
The walk over to Benito’s is fast considering it’s only two blocks away. Giovanni steps in front, opening the door for me.
I shoot him a smile, but he knows it’s sarcastic.
Can a smile be sarcastic? I don’t care—he got the hint.
I walk my way over to Brooke, who found a spot in the middle of the coffee shop.
“Where the hell have you been?” she says, opening her arms and pulling me in close. I feel big hands tighten around my waist as Brooke slowly lets me go.
“I had my sister’s wedding; the planning took up a lot of my time.”
Brooke looks terrified by my answer, and I can’t figure out why. Her golden hair falls down the side of her body, flowing like a steady stream of sunshine. Her hazel eyes keep looking behind me and then back to mine.
I turn my head to find Giovanni just standing there, waiting for an introduction he will not get.
“Can you get me a cold brew coffee?” I ask, patting him on his chest.
His jaw hitches, and the look on his face tells me that I will be hearing about this later.
But in this moment, I don’t care. He wouldn’t have to do it if he didn’t follow me. It’s not my fault.
His lips press together as he makes his way to the barista.