Chapter Seven

Alessia sighed as she shut the door behind her, her eyes scanning the room that held so many of her childhood memories. Her gaze moved from the frames hanging on the wall to the ones on the table—a typical Italian girl’s room.

She forced herself to move, crossing the room and picking up a frame from the table. The photo had been taken at Antonio’s first football game, beaming widely as he draped an arm around her shoulders.

Her jaw tightened as she quickly tucked the picture away—somewhere Noah wouldn’t be able to find it.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t the only thing she tucked away. She had also hidden her more embarrassing childhood photos like the one Mama took when she lost her upper tooth and was forced to smile for the camera.

She cringed at the memory. That was not something she wanted Noah to see.

A knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts. She hurriedly closed the lid on the box she’d kept since childhood, pushing it under the bed before standing and smoothing down her dress.

The door creaked open, and Noah’s blonde hair caught her eye. She raised an eyebrow.

“Noah?” she called as he stepped into the room. Suddenly, it felt too small for both of them.

He scratched his head, his gaze landing on her face.

“You’ve been in here for a while. Your mom asked me to check on you,” he said. She nodded, moving toward the window.

Why was it so hard to breathe with him here?

“Yeah, I was just... um—” she gestured around the room, and Noah nodded she understood.

“It’s been a while since you were last here, right?” he asked, looking around the room.

“Two years—I left two years ago,” she replied, shrugging. What now?

Noah was silent for a moment, his expression contemplative.

“Was your ex a prick?” he asked suddenly. Alessia blinked, wide-eyed, before chuckling.

“Yeah, a huge prick,” she muttered, turning to look out the window. Antonio had been the biggest mistake of her life. She had been warned, but she’d never been the type to listen.

“That’s all I need to know,” Noah said. Before she could respond, the door burst open, and Piero appeared, a mischievous grin on his face.

It quickly fell. He huffed.

“I thought I was going to walk in on you two making out, like in the movies,” he said, making Alessia flush.

“Piero—”

“You know, like when the couple can’t keep their hands off each other,” he continued, frowning. “But you two look like you’re having a serious discussion instead.”

Alessia froze. Was Piero already doubting the authenticity of her relationship with Noah? He hadn’t said so, but it felt like he was hinting at it.

Was she that bad of an actor?

She crossed the room in a few quick strides, standing in front of Piero, who had crossed his arms in a poor attempt to look intimidating.

Nice try, kid.

“You don’t go around hoping to walk in on people... uh,” she trailed off, her ears burning. “Making out. That’s rude and disrespectful,” she finished, ignoring the uncomfortable flutter in her stomach.

Did she just say that?

“Mama walked in on me and my girlfriend at second base,” Piero said dryly, making Alessia blush harder.

“I think you should spare your sister the details,” Noah’s deep voice rumbled from behind her, making her realize just how close he was standing.

“She’s turning red,” he added. Piero rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath.

“Well, Ricco’s here, and Mama asked me to come get you guys. She couldn’t come herself because she thought you two were...” Piero’s eyes moved from Noah to Alessia, and he shrugged. “Busy.”

Alessia groaned. Really?

“That’s not—”

“Lead the way. We’re right behind you,” Noah interrupted. Alessia frowned as her brother turned to leave.

“We’d better get going,” Noah said. Alessia pressed her lips together, her gaze wandering over Noah’s face, landing on his lips.

Making out with Noah? Seriously?

“Alessia,” he called softly, his deep voice carrying a hint of something she couldn’t quite place. She quickly looked away.

Yeah, they’d better get going.

---

“I’m Ricco, nice to meet you.” Alessia stood to the side, watching as her brother greeted Noah with a firm handshake.

Mama had become engrossed in conversation with Nona, who had burst into tears upon seeing Alessia.

“That’s one fine man you’ve got there, Ale,” a voice beside her said. Alessia turned to find Cecilia smiling warmly at her. She shrugged, glancing at Noah just as he turned to meet her gaze.

He winked before looking away. Alessia’s throat went dry. Okay.

“It’s nice to see you’ve moved on from my brother. I’m happy for you,” Cecilia said, trying to make conversation.

Alessia mentally groaned. Why did she have to bring up Antonio?

“Well, it’s been two years,” she replied, the same line she’d been repeating to everyone. Two years, later Antonio was getting married, and she was... faking a relationship.

“I understand,” Cecilia said quietly. Alessia finally turned to look at her. Cecilia was as beautiful as ever, her dark hair tied into a bun, her eyes soft and appealing.

“I heard I have a nephew,” Alessia said with a genuine smile, thinking about the little boy. Piero had sent her pictures of him as a baby; he must be two years old by now.

“He’s staying with my grandmother for the holidays.”

“Oh.”

“We could bring him over so you can meet him,” Cecilia quickly added, and Alessia smiled.

“That would be nice,” she said just as Ricco and Noah approached them.

“Hey,” Alessia greeted Noah, moving closer to him. Noah’s eyes studied her face, and whatever he saw there dimmed his smile.

“What’s wrong?” he asked immediately. Alessia shook her head.

“Nothing, I was just talking to—”

“Alessia,” he hissed quietly, pulling her closer so that she was standing directly in front of him. “What’s wrong? Did she say something to you?” he asked, his gaze searching hers.

She glanced over her shoulder, noticing her brother’s watchful eyes. Ricco was tracking their every move, his attention fixed on Noah’s hand gripping her arm.

Alessia moved even closer to Noah, closing the gap between them.

“She brought up my ex, that’s all. I know you realize my brother is watching you,” she whispered. Noah’s eyes darkened. “He’s the most sensitive and observant one in the family. If he thinks something is off—”

“Nothing is off, okay?” he interrupted, trying to reassure her. His hand loosened its grip on her arm and slid around her waist.

Oh.

“Let’s give them a show, then. Trust me, I won’t let this fail,” he murmured as she stared up at him, trying hard not to focus on the warmth of his hand on her waist or the way his fingers felt against her skin.

A show, then.