“Why wouldn’t I mean it?”
“Because, for reasons I can’t understand, you’ve made it your mission to hate Matteo, so you’re telling me he was a bad kisser only because you actually liked it but don’t want to admit it.”
“I didn’t like the kiss.” Though, I know deep down it wasn’t so bad. In fact, it was pretty nice. But there’s no way I can admit that. If I did, then … I’m not sure what I’d feel, and I’m determined to dislike Matteo for reasons even I can’t understand.
Serafina rolls her eyes. “Sure. For the record, I don’t believe you.”
“Believe whatever you want, but I’m telling the truth.”
She lies down next to me, our legs tangling together. We used to lay like all this time when we were kids. “I can’t believe you get to marry Matteo. Why is Dario punishing me like this?”
“Hey, I’d gladly give you to him if I had the chance; trust me. You know what I told him? I said he could continue to see other women after we’re married.”
“You did what? Seriously? Adelina, you’re going to regret that.”
“Why?”
“So, you’re telling me that you’re seriously all right with seeing your husband flirt and get it on with other women in front of your eyes?”
“He’s not my husband,” I grumble. “And why would I be watching him have sex with other women?”
“You’re not. That’s the point. But you’ll know what he’s up to. Won't that hurt?”
“Why would it hurt? I don’t care for Matteo.”
She sighs. “All I know is, if Matteo were my husband, I wouldn’t let him out of my sights for anything. He’d mine and only mine.”
“Maybe you could be with him,” I offer.
She looks at me like I’m crazy. “I know you didn’t just say that. You know Dario will keep me locked up here until he finds someone for me to marry. Besides, it already hurts thinking of him with you. I don’t also want to think of him with other women.”
I grab her hand in mine, squeezing it. “I’m sorry this hurts. I know how much you’ve been crushing on Matteo. If I had any say in this, you’d know I wouldn’t choose him.”
“I know. And that’s why you shouldn’t let him sleep around on you. If the man I like is going to be with anyone other than me, I’d prefer it to be you. I really think you’re going to regret giving him permission to sleep around.”
“So you say, but I’m confident in my decision. I want Matteo far away from me.”
“Why do you look down on bikers so much anyway? I think they’re fascinating. Driving for long periods of time, being free to go wherever and whenever they’d like. I want that. I wantfreedom. Adelina, you’re being offered that. Don’t waste it. Be grateful for it.”
I turn away from her. “Don’t tell me to be grateful for something I never asked for.”
“Hey, I’m not going to apologize because you have a stick up your ass and view bikers as unworthy of you.” Her words remind me of what Matteo accused me of. He said that I thought he wasn’t worthy of me. I denied it even though I knew it was truly how I felt in my heart.
“Can you just leave me alone? I’m tired.”
Serafina snorts but gets off the bed. “Fine. I’m just saying you’re wasting a good opportunity here.”
“No one asked you,” I snap.
“Whatever.” In true Serafina fashion, she rolls her eyes dramatically and storms out of the room.
And just like that, my sister and I are back to bickering again. I guess some things never change.
“What do you think of this?”The saleslady holds up a flowy white wedding gown. It’s wedding dress shopping today—not that I wanted to go.
Things have been tense between Serafina and me over the past few days since we got into our argument. She still thinks I’m being ungrateful, but I think she’s being unfair.
Now, we’re with Pia in a bridal store, looking for dresses for my wedding day.