The Second Worst Love Story Ever (+18)

30. You Can Eat It For All I Care

I hugged Valentina tightly, lifting her off the floor. I had missed those reunions so much, just because they meant we were good.

"How was your Christmas break?" she asked.

"Ugh! It was amazing. It snowed! Ada and I spent most of the time playing in the snow like two children. It was magical. How about yours?"

"Awesome! Carla and I spent an amazing time with our families, and I got to see Aria."

"And how was Noah's first Christmas with the girlfriend's family?"

"It was something..." She nodded slowly. "Let's just say he's not thrilled about getting in the same family as Vini."

I shuddered at the name. "And did he try anything with you? Because you know I'll kill him."

"No, I think you made yourself very clear that last time."

We laughed, and then I scratched my head awkwardly. "Um... Did you see a doctor already?"

Something flashed behind her eyes before she answered, "Sì... I went to the clinic yesterday as soon as I got back."

"And...?"

I couldn't handle myself with expectation. And still she hesitated. I knew what that meant.

"It's negative. I'm not pregnant."

"What? But the tests..."

"They said it can happen... It's a hormone thing."

I stepped back, eyes glazed over. I was so sure I was going to be a father.

"Wow..." She stepped back. "You really wanted this, didn't you?"

"Yeah... To my own surprise, actually. You'd think a guy would freak out to a pregnancy scare, but..."

"But what?"

I shrugged lamely. "But it's you."

Her eyes shifted. She came to wrap her arms around me, head leaning on my chest. "I'm so sorry, Ash."

"Me too."

She looked up, and our faces were really close. I started to lean in, but she pulled away, clearing her throat.

"Anyway..." She rummaged in her backpack. "I came straight to you because I wanted to give you this."

She handed me a brown envelope. I looked in to find an obscene amount of cash.

"What the hell is this?"

"I'm paying you for everything. My birthday trip, Bondi, and all the stuff you got me."

"You can't do that."

"It's okay. Gunner and I sold the shop, so I landed a bucket load of money."

"I can see that." I looked at her agape. "I meant you cannot do this, Val. Those were gifts."

"I insist."

"I can't take it." I pushed the package to her.

"Please, Ash.'' She pushed it back to me.

"No! Why do you have to make everything about money?"

"It's not making it about money. You spent too much on me, ragazzo. I always felt bad..."

She tried to give me the money one more time, and I refused. This dance brought us inches away from each other. I looked at her, tempted to bite that soft, pierced lip, so I backed away before I did anything I would regret.