Slow burn PART 2

Chapter 22

         Vittoria Catalano. Vittoria freaking Catalano. She is quickly becoming the bane of my existence. Renzo told me she wouldn't be here. Though, judging by his tight jaw I don't think he knew she'd show up either. 

Renzo's palm cupped my thigh and gave it a light squeeze like maybe he was reassuring me. "Oh, Vicky" Dante was the first to verbally acknowledge her entrance. "I thought you went to New York?" Rocco was next to ask. 

Grace had side eyed me to see my reaction. I ended up telling Grace about the conversation Vittoria and I had in the bathroom that day. She gasped at the audacity and I second that. I also told Dante who promptly said, "Bitchhhh please."

        "I was, but Claudia told me about the little end of summer party and I couldn't resist" she told us all. When her eyes finally scanned everyone and landed on me and Renzo I could feel my spine straighten on its own. Her eyes moved past me and settled on Renzo, whose head was against my shoulder since I was still sitting on his lap and obstructing his view. 

Those honey colored eyes are like a fly trap. She set them on Renzo and didn't look away. My heart already started its harsh beating again. 

"Cuore mio" she addressed him personally. And I did look it up. It means 'my heart'. I couldn't help the glare that came from me. "Hello Vittoria" was all he said back, and in that disinterested tone I've never been so happy to hear.

        When I turned slightly in Renzo's lap so I could see him, his jaw was still so tight. When my eyes settled on him he quietly stated, "I didn't know." I believe it too. I just nodded. He sighed and placed his warm hand on my back. He started running it slowly from the base of my neck down to the small of my back. It felt really good and was a reminder that he was right here with me. 

"You brought your friend along this time" Vittoria eyed me up and down and called me 'friend' like she didn't know my dang name. She's also bringing up the fact that the first time they all had dinner I hadn't been invited. 

"Girlfriend" Renzo's deep voice spoke, and it never sounded more lovely. He said it! I saw Dante and Rocco both do a double take like they weren't sure if they heard correctly. Dante split into a grin and winked at me knowing I felt good about this. Vittoria snorted. 

        "Anyways, who's going for a swim?" She asked us in that sensual tone of hers that she uses to drag out a word. When the girl dropped her cover up I cringed. Her bikini was barely there. Literally like a thong bottom and two tiny triangle pieces of fabric to contain her large chest.

You've gotta be kidding me?! I immediately looked at Renzo who made sure to shoot his eyes down. I want to leave. This just stopped being fun. 

"Well, come on" I heard Vittoria call out to us. We all looked amongst each other like we weren't sure what to do.

        To make it worse, Claudia came out and asked why Vittoria was left to swim by herself. She shooed us back over to the patio and pool and I wanted to groan. Audibly groan. I felt odd just standing there, so somehow we all ended up back in the pool. 

This time I stayed closer to Dante and the steps. Renzo sat on a step below us and tried being involved with us, but she'd call his name every other minute to say something. It's so frustrating. She swam back from the deep end and stood beside us, which put her chest right in our faces.

Renzo looked at her then away again. I know they are looking. Grown men and a full chest...I just know they're looking.

        "You wanna race, Ren?" Vittoria ran her fingers through his hair and had him look at her. "No," he answered dryly. Take.your.hand.off. "Why not? You used to love showing off your strength and speed. Let's have a race" she tried to nudge him playfully.