• 13
??
He doesn't try to be funny, just his demeanour and his dry answers.
The drive home was quiet but not awkward. Just... calm. He drove with one hand on the wheel, eyes forward, like he always did. I kept looking at the necklace on my chest, touching it absentmindedly, still shocked he bought it for me.
When we pulled up to my house, my car was already parked out front. Angelo was sitting inside with the headlights off. The second he saw Nico, he stepped out and handed me my keys.
"Here you go, Miss Daria," he said politely.
I smiled back. "Thank you, Angelo."
He nodded, still looking a little terrified of Nico. Honestly, same. Just a little.
I turned back to Nico and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.
"Thank you for tonight," I said. "Really. I had so much fun."
His eyes stayed on mine for a second too long. Then, something tiny pulled at the corner of his mouth.
A smile? Barely there.
But I kind of saw it.
My heart jumped for some stupid reason. He actually attempted a smile.
"You're welcome," he said quietly.
Before I could embarrass myself, Angelo got into Nico's car, and Nico slid into the passenger seat. He didn't say anything else. He just gave one last look my way before pulling off into the street.
He waited for me to get inside and he was gone.
I walked inside and went straight to the kitchen where Lizzy was waiting like a puppy.
"What's that?" she asked immediately, pointing at the foil bag in my hand.
"I brought you shawarma."
"SHAWARMA?" she yelled and ripped it open like a gremlin. "DARIA OH MY GOD THIS IS AMAZING."
"Where were you?"
"With Nico."
I kicked off my heels.
"So," Lizzy said with her mouth full of shawarma, "how was hanging out with Mister Tall and Terrifying?"
I rolled my eyes. "He's not terrifying. Ok... sometimes. And it was just Nico."
Lizzy smirked like she knew something I didn't. "He literally adores you."
"He does not."
"He bought you a necklace that costs the same as a used car."
"Lizzy, he's my friend. Please don't be so delusional."
She made a dramatic noise like she didn't believe a single word I said and kept eating.
I headed toward the hallway, feeling tired but... floaty. Light. Warm in a way I didn't understand.
"I guess," I mumbled to myself, "tomorrow night I have a date."
Lizzy gasped so loud she choked on her wrap.
"What date?"
"Blind date," I sighed, already regretting it. "Nessa set it up."
Lizzy pointed at me aggressively with her shawarma. "If Nico finds out, he's going to explode."
"Lizzy. Go eat."
I escaped before she could say anything else, cheeks warm, heart weirdly fluttery.
Not because of Nico.
Definitely not.
It was just... a nice night.
That was all.
Right?
????
The next day at work went by way too fast. I finished all my lab assignments, packed up, and before I knew it, it was time to go home and get ready for my date.
The blind date Nessa basically bullied me into. She told me to meet him at 7 p.m., and the minute I got home, the nerves hit, but I still got dressed.
I wore a white off-the-shoulder dress that hugged me just right and stopped mid-thigh. Pearl earrings. My hair half-up, half-down. A little winged eyeliner. Red lipstick. My favorite kitten heels. And my sweetest perfume. The one that always made me feel pretty.
"Lizzie, does this look okay?" I asked, turning around.
She gasped. Like actually gasped out loud.
"You look BEAUTIFUL," she said, fanning herself. "He's literally going to choke. He's going to lose his breath. He might even pass out."
I laughed. "Lizzie, it's not that serious."
She put her hands on her hips. "Actually, yes it is."
I hugged her, still laughing, my stomach flipping nonstop. Then I headed downstairs. Mom and Dad were on the couch.
"I'll see you guys later," I said. Mom smiled, and Dad waved. No questions. They never asked. Either they trusted me, or Lizzie told them everything before I could. I tried not to think about which one it was.
I got in my car and drove to the restaurant in Upper Manhattan. The place was alive. Fancy, loud, rich. Everyone sipping wine and laughing like they all had perfect lives and perfect bank accounts.
I swallowed hard and texted Nessa that I was here. She sent twelve emojis and then told me to say "Matteo's table."
So I went to the host stand and repeated it. The hostess smiled like she knew exactly who that was and led me to a corner table.
And then I saw him.
Tall. Handsome. Definitely rich. Maybe 5'11 or 6'0, tall enough that I had to tilt my chin up to look at him. Slicked-back dark hair. Hazel eyes. Extremely white teeth. Veneers, had to be.
Tan skin, almost Sicilian-looking.
He stood up when I approached.
"Hi," he said, smiling smoothly. "You must be Daria."
I smiled nervously. "Yeah. And you're Matteo?"
"That's me." He pulled out my chair. "It's very nice to meet you."
I sat, smoothing my dress, trying not to overthink every movement. The restaurant buzzed around me with clinking glasses, low conversation, soft music, but my heartbeat was the loudest thing in my head.
I tried to focus on him. Tried to remind myself this was normal. A normal date. With a normal man.
But a small voice in my head whispered that something felt off.