My Forbidden Love

Chapter 76

Olivia's pov:

"You think he will take it."
I ask Jack as we leave Bianci's office.

The old man didn't give us any answer, all he said was that he would think about it.

"I don't know, Olivia. But let's hope he does."

I'm so distracted in my thoughts that I trip, stumbling a little down the staircase that I suddenly realise I'm walking down.

Luckily, Leo grabs my arm before I can actually pitch forward.

"Olivia! Would you pay attention?!"

"Don't be too hard on her, Jack. She just went to battle with nonno - she's bound to be a little distracted."

"Thank you, Leo."

"What do you think?"
Jack asks Leo.

"I think you were right to let her talk. She did better than most. And nonno...... he thinks you are a little lazy."

"Jack is not lazy."
I say.

"A loyal wife! I admit, I am impressed. I underestimated you. Though I think, perhaps..... that you want people to underestimate you. Yes?"

I shrug and look at Leo from head to toe. I don't trust him, even if he is close to Jack. Not until I know what it is he wants.

"Must you really go? I wanted to catch up."
Leo says to Jack.

"We do have to go. But we're not disappearing. We'll be back - there will be time to catch up."

"Yes. I have a feeling there will be."

Then, he walks me and Jack to the door. Leo gives us both kisses on our cheeks before waving to us as we head for the car.

As we climb inside, I give Jack's favourite cousin a smile, taking him in as he leans against the entryway to the beautiful house.

Jack starts to pull the car out of the driveway and onto the road.

***********************

Jack and I drive for about half an hour in quiet, both for us processing the events of the morning in our own way.

Then I turn to stare at him, a little sad.

"Jack, I'm hurt you didn't tell me about Leo. Not once did you mention that you had a cousin you were particularly close with. Cousins, you talked about all the time. But a best friend?"

"I wasn't trying to keep it a secret. I just don't talk about it a lot because....... Leo and I...... we didn't leave things very well the last time that I was here. I kind of........ stole his girlfriend."

"What?!"

"It was like five years ago! It was stupid....... I was jealous."

"Of what?"

"Leo and I? We were inseparable as kids growing up. And then when we started getting older and he was interested in girls? I mean - very interested in girls, all he wanted to do was go out with girls, and talk about girls, and meet new girls. Suddenly I didn't have Leo to myself anymore and I was so jealous - it felt like I lost my best friend. And he was really into this girl Violetta, and my reaction was......"

He grimaces here and I laugh again, able to interpret.

"We were a dumpster fire. I couldn't bring myself to do more than kiss her."

"Um....... I wonder what that's like....."

Jack shoots a glare at me, half apology half chagrin, and moves on with the story.