CHAPTER 77 – CASPIAN
We’re in the bedroom, under the blanket.
Antonio is crying—a messy release of relief and exhaustion. He was so brave today it breaks my heart.
“Do you think he got it?” he keeps asking. “Do you think he got the message?”
“I know he did.”
“What if he didn’t?”
“He did.”
“I feel so stupid. For letting him bully me for so long.”
“It wasn’t a choice you made. It was a choice he made.”
“What does everyone think of me now? They must think I’m weak.”
“They think you’re strong. This town loves you, Antonio.”
“But why? They don’t even know me.”
“You had me enthralled the second I saw you,” I say. “There’s something very special about you.”
He hiccups.
“The Bloom sisters can’t stop giving me cookies.”
“I know. It’s devastating.”
“Earl invited me to Bob’s birthday party.”
“That’s a great honor.”
“Steve keeps pestering me about the podcast, and Harold wants me in some chicken coop history project. I don’t want to do either.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Ann-Sabrina sends me disturbing reels.”
“That means she likes you. But we can tell her to stop.”
“No, they’re funny.”
He remembers something else.
“Xaden saluted me the other day.”
“He did?”
The question comes out too fast, my composure failing at the mention of the swaggering, tattooed action hero saluting Antonio.
Antonio’s eyes open. He studies me in the dim light. Then a slow smile spreads across his face.
“He did, yeah. It was a very professional agent salute.”
I swallow.
I’m not jealous.
Nope. Not at all.
“What are your thoughts on, uh—on Xaden? As a person?” I ask, clearing my throat.
“Hmm.” Antonio looks delighted. “Why are you asking?”
“Do you think he’s better-looking than me?” I press a pillow over my face. “Forget it,” I say in a muffled voice.
Antonio climbs on top of me and pulls the pillow off me.
“You are jealous.”
He’s beaming.
“It shouldn’t make you happy,” I mutter.
“Have you met me?”
I groan.
“Can I be totally honest?” he asks solemnly. “Promise me you won’t get mad.”
“I promise,” I say, bracing myself.
“Good.” He leans closer and presses a kiss on my nose.
“Xaden Bailey has nothing on you.”
My heart skips. “Really?”
“Really. No one does. I thought you knew that.”
“I guess I needed to hear it again,” I admit, my ears red.
He kisses my jaw.
“Amore,” he says gently.
Then he grins.
“We need to re-enact this for Luca so he knows I was right when I told him you’re wildly jealous.”
“I can tell you right away there will be no re-enacting. I can also tell you’re feeling much better.”
“I can’t afford to be sad now. I have to support you through this meltdown.”
“I appreciate the support.”
“You should because I’m also going to support you by—” Antonio whispers his plan in my ear.
Fuck.
Admitting my jealousy turned out to be a very smart decision.