𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Tides Of Desire

V E R A P É R E Z

No was the only right answer.

No was the only possible answer I could choose.

Besides, I didn't directly say no.

Sort of.

I just suggested I was leaning towards the side that I wasn't getting involved in the shady shit he has going on in his life.

That was the only option.

Right?

"You're daydreaming again." Nonna's voice cut through my thoughts like a hot knife through butter. "Do you want to help or just stand there looking pretty?"

The kitchen was a whirlwind of activity. The warm scent of freshly baked focaccia and herbs mingling with the summer breeze drifted in through the open windows.

Nonna hummed as she chopped vegetables with practiced precision while Chiara darted around the room. Her excitement palpable as she arranged snacks on colorful platters.

I stirred a bowl of pasta salad but my mind was a million miles away. I blinked and tried to refocus. "Just a bit distracted."

Chiara shot me a sly grin as she set down a tray of bruschetta. "Thinking about Giovanni huh? Or maybe you're plotting how to get out of this party."

The girl was Judas reincarnated.

I pull a face at her before firing back. "Nonsense. Who would handle the complicated parts of the food prep if I wasn't here?"

Nonna rolled her eyes though there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "Complicated parts? You mean stirring and occasionally checking the oven? We've got it covered."

"Fine, fine. I'll be out there later. I just need to finish upstairs and I promise I'll be down."

As I continued to stir, I couldn't shake the thought of my FaceTime call with Ivy as soon as I'd got into my hotel room.

Ivy had practically urged me to get involved with Giovanni's request. "It's a chance to get closer to him." She meant the man's dick and claimed I'd been having withdrawal symptoms.

Whatever the fuck that meant.

I mentally groaned. Ivy always had a knack for making trouble sound irresistible. The way she saw it, getting involved with Giovanni was an opportunity. One that sounded as tempting as it was dangerous.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Nonna asked, her tone softening just a touch. "You seem miles away."

I forced a smile. "I'm fine, just a bit preoccupied. I'll join the party soon enough."

Chiara threw in a cheeky comment from across the kitchen where I couldn't grab the little twerp. "Oh, don't worry. I'm sure Giovanni will find a way to drag you out the room whether you want to or not."

I quickly flipped my middle finger up at her when Nonna wasn't looking.

Nonna laughed softly. "He does have a way of getting what he wants."

I groaned trying to push the swirling thoughts aside. "I will come down on my own accord thank you very much."

"She hasn't got a clue in the world." Chiara teased.

I could hear Chiara and Nonna continue to tease me as I made my way up. A small smile playing on my lips despite the accusations that were being thrown at me.

As I worked, I tried to focus on the soothing rhythm of my brush strokes but my thoughts kept drifting back to Ivy's words. "Maybe it's a chance to confront something you haven't fully understood about yourself."