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“Why? Is it a KFC?” I’d actually never eaten at a KFC Father and Mother would have never taken us to a place like that Gianna, Lily and I had once convinced Umberto to take us to a McDonalds but that was really the whole extent of my experience with fast-food joints

“Not really I think Luca wants to surprise you”

I doubted that “Maybe I should unpack then” I gestured at my suitcases

Romero kept a careful distance to me He was nice but professional “Do you need help?”

I really didn’t want Romero to touch my underwear “No I’d prefer to be alone”

Compassion filled Romero’s face before he turned and left I waited until I was certain that he was back downstairs before I opened the first box On top was a photo of me with Gianna, Lily and Fabi I cried for the third time in less than twenty-four hours I’d seen the, so how could I already feel so alone?

When Luca caed into a skirt and a flimsy, sleeveless blouse DespiteThere was a liaze lingering on htstand

“I wasn’t sure which was your side I can htstand if you want,” I said

“No, it’s okay” Exhaustion ritten plainly on his face

“Was theokay?”

Luca looked away “Let’s not talk about it I’” He held out his hand and I took it and followed him to the elevator He was tense and barely said a word as we rode in his car I wasn’t really sure if he expected me to make conversation, and I was too emotionally drained to put up an effort

When we stopped at a red light, he glanced over “You look great”

“Thanks”

He parked the car in a gated parking area where they stashed the cars on top of each other, then we headed down a street with s from Indian cuisine, over Libanese to Sushi He stopped at a Korean restaurant and held the door open for me Stunned I walked in into the crowded, narrow inside

Sether and a bar at the front offered alcoholic beverages with labels I couldn’t even read A waiter ca Luca, he led us toward the back of the restaurant and gave us the last available table The people at the table beside ours stared at Luca ide eyes, probably wondering how he’d fit I took the seat on the bench running the entire length of the room and Luca folded himself into the chair across from me The man beside him shifted his chair to the side, so Luca would havepolite?