expected this morning, but it wasn’t this. And it had thrown me for a loop.
Pouring the batter into a heated pan, I focused on the pancakes. By the time I’d made the first stack, Enzo returned, freshly showered and towel drying his hair.
“Smells good,” he said, sitting at the breakfast counter.
“I have chocolate sauce or maple syrup.” I pushed the plate toward him and retrieved the bottles from the cabinet.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Our eyes locked again, the strange current flowing between us. Something was different, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what.
“So how are classes?”
I almost choked on my mouthful of food. Enzo was asking me about classes now? What strange universe had I woken up in?
“Don’t look so surprised. It’s only a question.”
“Classes are good. It feels a little bit like starting over though, now Arianne and Nicco are practically joined at the hip.”
“You noticed that, huh?”
“I mean, I get it. But college was supposed to be our adventure, and now it’s not.” I let out a tiny breath. “God, that sounds so selfish.”
“No, it doesn’t. You had plans together.”
“Yeah. But I made a new friend. Well, not a new friend. I knew her already, but I think she has potential.”
“Does this new friend have a name?”
“Lucii. She’s in my Media and Society class. We went out the other night to a bar. It was fun.” Enzo stiffened and I added, “What?”
“Will you be going out with her again?”
“She invited me to a party tomorrow night.”
“Will there be guys at this party?”
“It’s a party,” I chuckled, “what do you think?”
Enzo didn’t return my laughter. In fact, he didn’t look pleased at all.
“Will Luca be there?”
“I don’t know, maybe.” I gave him a dismissive shrug. “I think Lucii has a thing for his friend.”
“So you’re going to see him again?”
Placing my fork down, I let out a frustrated sigh. “Does it matter if I do?”
“He’s not good enough for you.”
“You don’t even know him. Luca is a good guy, Enzo. I wouldn’t have befriended him if he wasn’t.”
“Oh, come on, Gattina. Don’t be so naïve. He doesn’t want to be friends. He wants in your panties—”
“How dare you?” My voice shook with anger. “You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me, is that it? Because I’ll be honest, Enzo, that’s bullshit, and you know it.
“You left. You fucked me and then you just left. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? Finding out from Ari that you were gone? That you thought so highly of me, I didn’t even deserve a goodbye?”
“Shit, Nora, that’s not…” he rubbed his jaw, “I—”
“No, Enzo. I’m talking, you’re listening…” I jabbed my finger in his direction. “You turned up at my apartment. You came to me. And I did the only thing I know how when it comes to you, I let you in. But I can’t keep doing it, Enzo. I won’t. I have too much self-respect to be the girl sitting around waiting for the guy she wants to wake up and see what everyone else sees.” I stood up and pushed the curls out of my face.
“One day a guy is going to come along and sweep me off my feet, and do you know what, he’ll deserve me. He’ll deserve me and when I give him my heart, he won’t give it back. He’ll keep it, he’ll protect it… he’ll cherish it. Because my heart is worthy, Enzo. I’m worthy.”
He stared at me with a blank expression. I knew I’d probably caught him off guard, laying it all out for him, but I felt better.
Even if he had nothing to say to me.
Swallowing the hurt building inside me, I steeled my expression. “I’m going to take a shower. I think it would be a good idea if you’re gone when I’m done.”
“Nora…”
My fickle heart beat wildly in my chest as I waited….
And waited.
But Enzo’s shoulders sank as he swallowed whatever he’d been about to say.
“Well, okay then. I think we’re done here.” I gave him a tight nod and walked away from him with my head held high…
Even if another part of my heart withered and died.
Chapter 17
Enzo
The urge to go after Nora was strong, but she was pissed, and I didn’t want to make things any worse.
She hadn’t even given me a chance to explain, to try to apologize. Instead, she’d dismissed me. Any other girl, and I would have been relieved to avoid any further awkward conversations. But Nora wasn’t any