Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
“I’m not in love and won’t be. It’s not in my nature.”
“Then you should allow Aurora to get over you. Return home and give her a chance to move on, to find that love you don’t believe in. It’s the right thing to do.”
I stared up at the sky. If I tilted my head all the way back, it appeared as if not a single skyscraper surrounded us. “The right thing to do…”
It was typically Greta to think doing the right thing was something that was part of my program.
A small part of me wanted to do the right thing, for Aurora, but the far bigger and darker part couldn’t let go of Aurora yet.
Stalking Aurora was a full-time job and required far more stealth than I’d anticipated because Valerio had taken up the job of her personal bodyguard. I followed their car to a coffee shop and watched them enter. To get a better view, I got out of my car and approached the shop until I spotted Rory behind the counter. Her face lit up with a smile, but it wasn’t a joke from Valerio that made her face glow like Christmas decor. What the fuck?
The guy behind the counter smiled broadly at her and leaned toward her as if he wanted to jump over the counter to get even closer to her.
My chest constricted, and I curled my hands to fists. I wasn’t sure why the sight made me so livid. Fuck, I’d never felt so much rage come up so quickly, and that meant a lot coming from me. I’d felt murderous for plenty of reasons in my life, but this time, a feeling I was entirely unfamiliar with had been the trigger. It took me several heartbeats before I could define the sensation and then even longer to really come to terms with it:
I was jealous.
“Let’s grab a coffee first.” Valerio parked in front of a small coffee shop at the corner. “This is my favorite place to grab caffeine on the go. Isa loves to write here too.”
“Cool,” I said as I followed him inside the cozy place. Potted plants hung from the ceilings, and fluffy, colorful cushions lay on the low windowsills, which could be used to sit. The furniture was of the mix-and-match type. It gave off a very boho/hippie vibe, which definitely fit Isa, yet not Valerio. However, I supposed he didn’t care as much about the design.
Valerio nodded at a pretty brunette who waved at him from her place at one of the high tables. “Can you order an Americano for me?”
“Sure,” I said curiously, but Valerio didn’t elaborate as he made his way over to the girl.
It wasn’t my business really. I wasn’t even sure if Valerio was promised to anyone. I waited patiently in line for my turn, trying not to pay attention to Valerio and the girl.
“When I saw you enter with Valerio, I thought you two were an item, but I suppose I was wrong,” the male barista said before I could say anything.
I laughed, a little startled. “He’s my cousin.”
“Ahhh,” he said, smiling. “I’m Marcos. Nice to meet you, cousin of Valerio.”
He was kind of cute in a normal guy way. Kind brown eyes, wavy brown hair, no visible scars or tattoos. “I’m Aurora. I’m here to visit family. I’m from Las Vegas.”
He made a shocked face. “You don’t look like a girl from Vegas.”
I raised my eyebrows. “How does a girl from Vegas look?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been. More flashy and with more makeup and glittery clothes?”
I huffed. “That’s not true.”
He looked a bit embarrassed. “I prefer your looks. You’re really cute.”
“Uhhh, thanks?” I’d never gotten a compliment from a guy before.
He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. “Okay, this is awkward. Next time you come here, I’ll be smoother, all right?”
“All right?” I said, still a little unsure what to make of this.
“Your cousin is watching us, so I should probably take your order now.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Valerio, who had indeed ceased his conversation with the girl and was watching us intently.
I sighed. “An Americano for my cousin and an iced latte for me.”
“Are you sure you don’t want something with foam on top?”
“Why, do you want to add a message?” I teased.
He blushed. “Touché. Next time, I’ll be smoother, promise.”
“You said that before.” I laughed.
He turned and began to prepare our orders, and Valerio appeared by my side. “Everything okay?”
“Sure,” I said.
He nodded but didn’t leave again. Marcos only smiled when he handed us our order, probably because of Valerio’s presence.
Valerio and I left together.
Marcos’s awkward flirting had lifted my mood considerably, even if I wasn’t interested at all. He wasn’t even remotely my type, even if I didn’t want to ponder why that was. He’d probably run away screaming if he knew my family background. Though he must know who Valerio was.