Page 133 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
“Thank you for answering. I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Yeah, I — I’ve had a lot going on here.” She paces, biting her lower lip.
“Destiny, I need you to know that what you saw with me and Gigi isn’t what you thought you saw.”
She covers her eyes with her hand. “It really doesn’t matter. I’m happy for you,” she says, her words contrasting her body language.
“No,” I say sharply. “It does matter. I need you to know the truth. I didn’t kiss Gigi. She took off her dress, sat on my lap, and kissed me. It happened so fast. But it was my fault for even letting her sit on my lap. I take responsibility for that. I’m sorry. She was mad about us and jealous. I’m not with Gigi. I told you, I willneverbe with Gigi.”
She paces. “Is that what you’ve been wanting to tell me?” she asks, raising her voice. “That she kissed you and it wasn’t you kissing her, even though your lips were locked together?” She thrusts her hand through the air.
“Yes, but—”
“Okay.” She cuts me off. “Now I know.” She stops pacing and rubs her forehead. “I have to go.” Her voice gags.
“Destiny, wait.”
“What?”
“I read your book.”
“Why?” She sits back on the sofa, covering her eyes with her hand.
“Because I wanted to.” I pause. “Is it me?”
Tilting her head back, she takes the stuffed pig I gave her into her lap.
“Destiny, I have to know. Is it me you wrote about in your book?”
Her breath comes before her words. “What does it matter?” she asks, defeat coloring her tone.
“It matters. Was it a made-up person? Or was it me? Do you feel nothing for me?”
Standing up, she tosses the pig on the sofa. “It makes no difference what I feel for you, Nicco. You’re going to be surrounded and tempted by beautiful women like Gigi for the rest of your life. I can’t compete with that,” she says impatiently, pacing again.
“Youdofeel something for me. I know you do.”
“Nicco, please.” Her strangled words answer me. “I have to go.”
Blood runs hot through my body. “Tell me. Tell me you don’t want me. Tell me it’s over. Tell me I mean nothing to you.”
She drops back onto the sofa, silent, burying her face in her hand.
“Tell me.” I quiet my voice. “Tell me and I’ll walk away.”
Uneven breaths pass through the phone as I watch tears trail down her face. “I can’t.” Her faint voice tears my heart. “Goodbye Nicco.” Click.
She curls her body into itself as she clutches the pig.
No. It doesn’t end like this.I grab my shoes and run to her front door. Ringing the bell, I’m ready to crash down the door.
She opens it and stumbles back as her eyes spring open.
“Nicco. What — what are you doing here?” She wipes her fingers under her lashes.
Stepping in and flinging the door closed behind me, I toss my shoes on the floor. I gently cup her face, sweeping my thumbs across her mascara-smeared cheeks.
“I came here for you, mia dolce ragazza. I came here because I have feelings for you, Destiny. And I think you have feelings for me.” I pause, releasing her face and looking down at the locket around her neck. “You’re wearing my locket.”
