Into deception

"At first.."

📚

Nicholas and I get into the car pretty normally, considering what happened only moments ago. I make sure not to sit too close to him, my eyes practically held in place by chains, searching everywhere except his face.

So, yeah.

I'm panicking. Just a little.

"FYI, Ray will have visual on the restaurant from above. You two just watch yourselves inside, but if anything—"

"Nothing is going to go wrong."

I look over at Max, who's already looking at me. I nod, silently agreeing with Nicholas.

Nothing will go wrong.

Nicholas steps out and waits for me before taking my hand.

"We did this all the time. It would be weird if we didn't now."

I stand still for a moment, letting the feeling of him render me completely lost.

"Yeah. I know that."

"Okay. Good."

We walk inside together, just like we did all those years ago.

The warmth of the restaurant immediately soothes the goosebumps across my skin, just like it used to. I love this place.

Nicholas takes off his jacket and hangs it on the rack before smoothly taking mine from my shoulders and placing it beside his.

Everything with him is so familiar that it feels like the air I'm breathing is running away from me, and I can't catch up.

"Non posso credere ai miei occhi!"
( I can't believe my eyes. )

I turn towards the familiar voice, and my face twists into a smile before I even realise it.

"Mio Dio, è passata un'eternità da quando vi ho visti entrambi!"
( My God.... It's been forever since I've seen you both! )

Aldo doesn't waste another second before pulling me into a hug.

I hug him right back.
I missed him.
More than I thought I did.

I missed this place, too.

"Come stai? Stai benissimo, Aldo."
( How are you? You look great Aldo. )

He pulls back, staring at me wide-eyed.

"You disappear and come back speaking Italian?You're going to give me a heart attack, Amore."

He laughs, and I can't help but laugh with him.

"You know, if we're going to sell our love to the world, you might want to keep me updated on your surprises."

Nicholas whispers it into my ear as he sets his chin against my bare shoulder. His arms come around me, resting against my stomach and pulling me into his chest as though this is completely normal.

As though being this close to him isn't torment enough.

Play along, Mia.