Page 160 of Chasing Hope

Tipping my head back, I enjoy the heat of the day. Matteo leans forward to block the sun from my eyes, the sight making him look like a glowing angel. He’s started working out more now that he’s older and hockey is becoming more competitive.

I like the change. He’s growing into himself, and the muscles aren’t bad to look at either.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Always,” he responds earnestly.

Swallowing, I drop my head back, not wanting to see his face as he delivers an answer that could crush me. I let my hand drag in the water, the coldness giving me a push forward as I blurt out unceremoniously, “Are you seeing Emma?”

The paddling stops.

I refuse to look at him.

“What?” he all but yells in shock.

“Are you seeing Emma?” I repeat.

“Emma Lambert?”

“Yes.”

“God no,” he answers, and the second those words leave his lips, my entire body sags before I can control the movement.

Matteo drops down onto the paddleboard, and now that my heart is somewhat safe, I turn to face him, hoping my relief isn’t obvious. Yet by the way he’s scrutinizing me, I think it is.

“I wouldn’t do that,” he whispers after a moment.

I blink in surprise. “Do what?” I ask.

His forest-green eyes pierce my soul as his lips part. I can all but see the words forming on his tongue until he shakes his head, a muscle feathering along his jaw.

The famous Valenti walls have just rose and I know I won’t be able to climb them.

My lips tip into a sad smile. “Keep your secrets.”

“Not a secret,” he says before laughing derisively. “It’s very obvious in my mind.”

“What is?”

He takes a deep breath before leaning back on the board. “Have any hikes you’ve been thinking about doing?”

I roll my eyes at his very obvious change in topic but go with the flow because I know that pushing will get you nowhere with Matteo. “Nothing new, just the same stomping grounds.”

Now it’s Matteo’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know there are hundreds more hikes to do in Colorado, right? You should step out of your comfort zone, Dove.”

Smiling at him teasingly, I joke, “And why would I do a thing like that?”

Matteo’s lips twitch and he’s very evidently fighting a smile.

“Oh, just let it out.”

His eyes finally lock on mine as he slyly grins. “Never.”

“Stubborn Valenti.”

His brow quirks. “Stubborn Dove.”

Pursing my lips, I murmur, “Touché.”