358 Meeting Matteo

(Winona)

“Let’s get to the next meeting.” Jayden pops his head in the door. “You’re about to meet the Italian version of Lance. Careful your ovaries don’t explode.”

I grin. “Good, he might be able to help melt this ice in my veins now.”

Jayden laughs. “Astrid has that effect, but she’ll come around. You okay?”

“Please, after dealing with your mother all my adult life, Astrid is water off a duck’s back.” We head off along the myriad of corridors and rooms. I swear a whole city works in here.

Employees dressed in sleek suits, working with an almost eerie silence, their eyes flicking up momentarily as we pass. Jayden strides confidently, like he owns every inch of this place—which, technically, he does.

But these people look at him like he’s a god. I can tell he’s used to it in the short time here. I think he secretly loves it. I mean, who wouldn’t?

The employees watch him with awe and thinly veiled envy. But no one says hello. No one speaks. It’s like it’s forbidden.

Back home, the jani