Gianni and Me

Chapter Eleven

"First things first: No talking about what we've already done in the past. We need to start on a clean slate. Brand new." Because if he actually keeps reminding me of that night, I don't think I'd be able to keep this fake relationship, fake. 

He nods and doesn't argue. 

"Second: No kissing unless necessary." I continue as he places a plate of stir fry in front of me. It smells heavenly. 

"Do you mean privately or in public?" He jokes. I catch his eye, and the look he gives me almost has me falling over. Never mind, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me. 

I sigh and shake my head. "In public, obviously. But I can't imagine you being into PDA, so I don't think that will be an issue." I think I played that off well.

He hums and it makes me wonder if maybe he is into public displays of affection. My heart flutters at the thought. I've always wanted someone to show me off... Evan was never into that kind of stuff... Complimenting me, touching me (except whenever he was horny). He especially wasn't into doing nice things- helpful things for me. But I think it's just because we were friends before dating. We were comfortable with each other. Just not in the way Liam and I are. Which is shocking since Liam and I never dated.

"I have a rule: no walking through random hallways without me." He adds. Is he serious? I frown at him and he raises his dark eyebrows as if to say Defy me. I dare you.

"But you won't always be around. I'm not going to sit in my room and wait around for you." 

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Fine. But at least have someone with you." 

I take a bite and think. I do have Ruby and Hailey other than Charlotte. But Charlotte's been busy. Everyone's busy except me. 

I go with a lie, because I know he wouldn't be happy any other way. "Sure." 

He takes a bite of food and I think. What other boundaries do we need? I mean, since this isn't a real relationship, I can't expect things from him. The only thing we would need to worry about would be the physical side of things, but it doesn't seem like he's too worried about that. 

"Should we tell someone?" I ask. Maybe like a safe person, someone we can trust. "I want to tell Charlotte, at least. She can tell when I'm lying, and I see her the most, so lying would be exhausting." 

I frown and scan his face. A little scar marks his right temple. Did he have that the last time I saw him? He stares back. If I were just meeting him now, his stare alone would have me sinking into my seat. I understand why he fit in so well with the bad guys. There's just this... darkness in his features, plain stony power, that tells everyone the kind of danger and monster he can become.

"That's fine." He responds, but I'm already thinking about something else.

"Where were you the last two weeks?" I ask, surprising him and myself. I guess curiosity will always trump common sense. 

He leans back in his chair. "We were in Tokyo. I wouldn't have gone, but Mason needed me to lead the group." 

"Was it a training... thing?" Real intelligent, Olive. His lips twitch just slightly.

"Yes." 

"Aren't you needed for more... important missions than training people?" 

"Yes." 

When he doesn't elaborate, I raise my eyebrows. 

"I asked to do it. These last four months have been pretty intense jobs, I wanted something a bit... lighter." He explains. The overhead lights flash against his glasses as he looks down at his food. He takes a bite.