A Love Restored

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curled up in a circle. No

as we watch the last episode of Breaking Bad

Nice hits pause and sons u

forcing me to sit up as well. “Are we going to that spanish Outfit party?

1 shinng: “Do you want to j

“Not really but I kind of have to. Anyway, it could be fun.”

Nico had asked me to go with him a few weeks ago. I had said yes, I was always his date to all events, so it wasn’t even a re

I want to go with him but the first thought that enters my head is Will filian allow this?

The second thought that enters my head is–Screw Julian, I’m not ditching Nico

question

“Okay.” I nod happily. “It will be fun. Remember last time at their New Year’s galla Remi Alax decided it would be fun to drink ten beers in a row?”

Nico cringes. “Don’t remind me. He rolls his eyes. “It was so gross. He threw up on my IV shirt.”

“And then Don decided it would be nice to make him Capo because he didn’t respect the other mania at all. 1 crack up, making Nico grin.

Zio Mariano does absolutely ridiculous things as Don but somehow it still works. He says.

“I’m going to need to go shopping for a dress for the party. I tell him. “Will you come with? We should match!”

He shrugs. “Yeah, okay. Do you want to play FIFA then go to sleep? I have to work tomorrow.”

1 nod, and Nico fishes out the gaming console.

My phone buzzes. It’s Julian. I have his number saved as Capo Bastone, Guess it’s time to change that.

“Need to answer this.” I tell Nico, and go outside to the balcony so Nico is out of earshot. A client.”

“Hey.” I say breathily when I answer.

“Hello, Ginar.“ Julian says lightly. “Why are you

up? It’s 3 am.”

“You are up too.” I say simply. “It’s 5 am. Don’t you have an early morning meeting tomorrow?”

“I was thinking of you.”

“Were you?”

“I want you here, baby. I want to fuck you”

I giggle. “Is this a booty

call, Cana

Capo Bastone?”

“If I get lucky, then yes, I hope so

“How unprofessional.” I trase. “Capo Bastone propositioning a lowly soldier’s sister.”

“Well then, you can’t say no.” He says huskily. “I could kill your brother.”

“Is this blackmail?” I’m pretending to be scared. ‘11l be forced to submit to your ravenous ways.

ous ways. Maybe youll tie me up keep me in a caj

Julian cracks up: “What the fuck have you been reading, Ginevra? Just come over. I’m not going to cage you. But I will tie you ups.

I sigh. I can’t, Julian. You know I’m with Nico

He sighs harder. “Fuck Nico. I want

you so bad.”

“No,” I say, “He’s my best friend. I’ll call you later, okay, Julian? Dream of me. I hang up and go to the living room where Nico is waiting for me with a Joystick in his hand. When I plop down next to him, he hands me mine and begins the game.

“Aw,” I say, “You always let me play with Barcelona.” Even though we are both cules. “You are so

so nice.”

“I am playing with Roma. He says Remember they beat Barça in the Champions League?

“Shut up.” I say as the match starts.

Nico is a great player, but of course, I am the one who wins

“Take that, sucker”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

He shakes his head. “I let you win, Ginny.” He looks at me long and hard. “Because I love you.

“I love you too. Everyone loves me. It’s not a big deal.” I tease. “Up for another match?

He nods, and this time Nice and I end up in a draw. It’s so fun playing with him, and we both fall asleep on the couch with our controllers in our hands.

I am woken up by the sound of a mixer.

“Shut up.” I throw a pillow down the bed sleepily. How did I end up on the bed? Nico, of course. I sigh, as much as it is possible with my face pressed to the mattress.

Ugh.

I get out of bed after ten minutes, brush my teeth and make my way to the kitchen where Nico is cooking.

“What’s for breakfast?” I ask. “Should I start on coffee?”

“I made us

us smoothies, actually.” He grins. “Mango and strawberries, just how you like it.”

1 giggle and kiss him on the check. “This is why I love you. This is why you’re my best friend.”

He smiles. “You can scramble the eggs. Meanwhile I’ll go take a shower.”

“A cold one?” I grin, looking down at his half–mast through his sweatpants.

“It’s morning wood.” He mumbles, as he walks away.

“Obviously.” I say. “There’s no other girl here. And I don’t give you…that.”

I get started on the eggs, while I play some refreshing music on my

my iPod. Nico is singing along from the bathroom

While Nico showers, I set the table. Then I send a quick good morning message to Julian.

Ginny Good morning, dreamt of you.

He replies within seconds.

Julian Couldnt sleep. Someone left me hot and bothered.

Ginny: How horrible. You should definitely punish that stupid girl

1❤ : “Oh, I will. Be very, very frightened, babygirl.

you testing? Nico enters the room and takes a seat next to me.

“Gabriel” I GP, and it a both scan and wondrous how I lied so smoothly.

too. But I nod, and sen myself some eggs and butter my toast

“what if something happens at the party? Don and the Spanish aren’t really on great terms.”

They would try anything when there’s so many Italians there. And besides, if anything happens,” he smiles, “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,

mile back. But a deeply setting feeling takes its place in my chest.

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