Timely Trials

Chapter 16: Amelia and Marguerite's Separate Chats

LOVINO POV

Later, Antonio decided that he ought to go get the real list of supplies he was supposed to buy. So, hand in hand, Antonio and I walked back to work.

After a while of walking and thinking over the question, I said, "Hey, Antonio, does this mean... Uh, does this mean you're my boyfriend?"

He smiled. "If you want me to be. Actually, by now I don't think you have a choice, Lovi. You're my boyfriend and that's that."

"Okay," I said. "I think even if I did have a choice now, I'd still say that you were mine."

He squeezed my hand. "Good. I love you."

I took my hand back and shoved it in my pocket. "Shut up, Antonio." Then, after a moment, I changed my mind about it. I quietly said, "I love you, too," and brought my hand back to his. Antonio kissed me in a quick movement that made me blush.

Once Antonio got the real list of whatever he needed to get from Amelia, who was entertained that it took so long for Antonio to get the real list and disappointed that he didn't get her anything she wanted from the store, he called for me to follow him back out. Amelia didn't let me go.

"You always take longer when you go out if you have someone with you, and technically those supplies were supposed to be here by now," she said.

"You're the one who gave me the wrong list!" Antonio said.

Amelia grinned. "I have no regrets. But anyway, I wanted to ask Mr. Lovino here something, so you can go out while I do that. Just go get the stuff, Antonio. Mr. Kirkland will kill you if it's not here when he needs it, you know," Amelia said.

"Okay, but if he does get mad, I'm telling him it's all your fault for not giving me the right list," he replied.

"You could've come back to get it sooner."

"So I have to stay with her?" I said, annoyed that I wasn't getting a choice.

"It won't be for long. She's probably right that I'll go faster by myself, and if she wants to talk with you, why not? I'll be back soon."

Amelia threw her arms in the air and a grin on her face. "Besides, we all know you just love hanging out with me. You'll totally enjoy being alone with me for a while, gosh, Lovino. Bye, Antonio."

The second the door closed behind Antonio, Amelia turned to me, a serious look replacing the grin. "Hey," she started. "You remember how I asked you to tell me if Antonio's said anything strange?" I remembered. "Yeah, so, I kinda need to know if he has. It's even more important than when I asked the first time."

"Why do you want to know?"

"Lovino, you said you'd tell me anything about this," she said.

"Yeah, I did, whatever, but tell me why I need to first. I could lie and you would never know," I said. "Tell me the reason why I need to report back to you on this, and I'll tell you the truth."

Amelia didn't answer until she realized I wouldn't say anything otherwise. She said, "I told you before. I'm worried about Antonio."

"Why?"

"He's a damned idiot, that's why. He thinks he can get out of something if he's laughs it off. He can't, though, obviously. But this time is different from every other time he does it. This is a serious issue and he doesn't get it. Actually, you know what? I think he does get it. He just doesn't care."

"What is it he doesn't care about?"

"That," she said firmly, "is for me to know, and for you to stay ignorant of."