Chapter 26
Max’s yard is gorgeous. Flooring was laid and a DJ was set up in the corner. From the dance floor, you can see the ocean. White twinkle lights cover the sheer, white tent and are rivaled only by the stars that blanket the sky. A Sinatra song echoes through the yard and Lorenzo takes my hand.
“Dance with me, Tesoro Mio.” He leads me to the dance floor and takes me in his arms. “Are you happy?”
I smile and my heart swells. “I’m so happy. You don’t have to worry so much, Enzo. He’s good for me.”
“So was I, Bella.” He stops dancing and looks into my eyes. “I know we are friends. But I love you and don’t want to see you hurt. I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“He’s not going to hurt me. He loves me. He hasn’t said it yet but I feel it.” I pull him back to me and continue to dance. My mind races. Why is he acting like this?
“I’m finding it hard to let you go.” Lorenzo pulls me closer.
“Mind if I take over?” Chance waits for Lorenzo to look at him. For a moment, it’s awkward, then he pulls away and turns to leave.
“I’ve missed you,” I kiss him lightly on the lips. “It’s strange waking up without you. I’ve gotten used to you.”
“Move in with me.”
I freeze. I couldn’t have heard him correctly. It’s way too soon. I look up at him and he raises an eyebrow. “It’s so soon.”
“I want you with me. I spend almost every night at your apartment. Ray and Lorenzo have to be getting tired of me.” He dips me and I giggle. “Is there something going on with those two? Lorenzo seems to always be around.”
“They’re definitely not dating. He’s got something going on but I don’t know what.”
“He’s still in love with you.” My voice is a little firmer than I intended.
“No, he’s not. He was never in love with me.” I stop dancing. “We weren’t like that. It was just a friends with benefits thing.”
“Katrina, the man is in love with you. Everyone can see it.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I push him away. “He’s my family. It was just physical, nothing else. Don’t get possessive.”
“Stop,” he reaches for me. “Kat, I don’t want to argue with you. I don’t know why you’re so upset.”
I look at Lorenzo and he’s staring at me. Could Chance be right? He takes a sip of his champagne but his eyes never leave mine. When I turn around, I can feel his gaze burning a hole in my back. I need to handle this.
“I’m going to go.” I hug Chance.
“Kat,” he grabs my hand.
“It’s fine. I just need to talk to Enzo. Call me when you leave and maybe we can meet up.” I pull away and he’s shocked.
“Babe, I’ll go with you. Don’t leave mad.”
“I’m not. I promise.” I kiss him on the cheek.
I walk away, leaving him standing on the dance floor alone. I know I’m overreacting but I need to get to the bottom of things with Enzo. He’s acting strangely and Chance thinks he’s in love with me. I don’t believe it for a second but I need to make things right.
And I need to think about moving in together.
“Talk to me,” I shift into second gear and wait for Lorenzo to start talking. “I’m serious. I know something’s up.”
“Katrina,” he sighs.
“Katrina? You never call me that. Tell me what’s wrong.” I’m getting worried.
“When I left Las Vegas, I missed you.” He looks out the passenger window.
“I missed you, too.”
“No, Bella, I missed you. I thought about you with Chance and I would get physically ill. I couldn’t go back to Rome to start the season until I saw you again. I needed to know what happened with Chance. I needed to ensure you were happy.” He lets out a long breath laced with sadness. “And if you weren’t, I was going to ask you to come with me.”
“Enzo,” I don’t know what to say. “Where’s this coming from? You never said anything before.”
“I wasn’t aware before.” He covers my hand on the gearshift. “I love you and I will do what you say. If Chance is the man for you, I will wish you luck and watch from the sidelines until there is a day you feel the same way I do. If there is a chance my feelings are reciprocated, I ask you to fly to Rome with me and be by my side as I start the new season.”
“I love you. You know I love you. I love the friendship we have and that I’m a part of your family. Your mom and dad are like mine. Your brother, Roman, he’s like my brother. We have lunch once a month. I can’t risk any of that. Not when my feelings are so strong for someone else. You’re the most important man in my life, Enzo. That will never change. But we can’t be more. Not now. Maybe not ever.” My heart breaks. I never want to hurt him. I’m so blindsided by all of this.
“Katrina!” Lorenzo braces his legs on the floorboard and throws his arm in front of me.
I see the bright lights coming at us and the brakes scream as I slam my foot down. The impact throws me forward; the seatbelt tightens me like a vice grip. The sound of metal on metal echoes through my brain as the airbag deploys and slams against my chest. The snapping sound makes me gag and I hear myself howl. A white cloud of powder blinds me and I smell burnt rubber. I struggle to open my eyes as the car stops spinning.
“Don’t move, Bella,” Lorenzo’s voice is hardly a whisper.
I turn my head and the pain shoots through me. I cry out. Lorenzo leans against the passenger door, his airbag covered in blood.
“Enzo,” I wail. “Enzo, are you ok?”
“Don’t move. Help will come. Stay awake, Bella.” His voice sounds so strained.
I feel blood spreading across my chest, its warmth both comforting and terrifying. “I hear the sirens. They’re coming.” He doesn’t answer me. “Lorenzo!”
“Ma’am, can you hear me?” Bright lights blind me as a voice yells out to me.
“Get him,” I scream. “Save him.”
“We’re working on getting you both out of the car. My name is Brandon. Can you tell me your name?”
I cry. “That’s Lorenzo DeGatti. Help him.”
Voices are muffled from the other side of the car. I try to pay attention to what they’re saying. When Brandon removes my seatbelt, I scream. I try to fight him but the pain is too intense.
“Holy shit, that’s Lorenzo DeGatti,” is the last thing I hear as I pass out with flashbulbs going off around me.