Page 217 of Chasing Hope

CINDY

OR dark romance will hit home for sure

BELLA

but sometimes reading about it can help. found that books about grief let me cry and help me understand what I was feeling

LAYLA

it’s a thriller romance about an FBI agent who is hunting aserial killer

CINDY

the catch? he doesn’t realize he’s dating the said serial killer

BELLA

now you may be wondering how that ties into what is happening but trust us when we say it does. Let’s just say the serial killer is getting revenge…

CINDY

It’s very heavy hitting but might be worth a read depending on what you need <3

EVIE

I don’t deserve any of you

thank you for going to the trouble of finding these books for me

not so surprisingly I think I want to hear about the serial killer chopping men into tiny pieces

CINDY

THAT’S OUR GIRL

LAYLA

sending you the link to buy!

BELLA

and if you get any ideas we all wear the same size gloves and shoes

EVIE

HAHAHAHAHA

All while toweling off and changing into my favorite pair of pajamas—courtesy of Matteo and his packing skills—I can hear him clanging around in the kitchen, the cupboards opening and closing, the sound of the gas stove flickering on, making me puzzled. It isn’t until I’m applying the last bit of moisturizer to my skin that the bathroom door opens and he walks in carrying two steaming mugs with an iPad cradled under his arm.

Turning, I shift my back so it’s to the mirror as I give myboyfriend the undivided attention he usually loathes…although that’s never the case when my eyes are on his.

My chest seems to loosen, tension leaking from my body just by his mere presence. It’s always been this way with him, never anyone else. Being around him makes me feel so at peace it’s a wonder as to how I went so long without him in my life.

Placing the iPad down, Matteo hands me a mug, and to my utter delight, I find he created art on top for me. Biting my lip, I cock my head, trying to discern what it is.

Matteo snorts. “It’s supposed to be a cat.”

I playfully whack his shoulder. “Hey! Half the fun is guessing. Don’t take my joy away.”