Under the Same Sky by Nichole Greene

Author:Nichole Greene [Greene, Nichole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

MASSIMO

It feels like all of Rome is celebrating with us tonight, but my mind is only focused on Venice. She’s closer to me now than she has been in years, and it’s taking all my patience to not jump on a plane and hunt her down. Beautiful women in sexy dresses walk past, trying to tempt me into taking one of them home, but I can’t.

I don’t want to.

“What is your problem, Massimo?” Antonio yells into my ear, trying to be heard over the music of the club. “Find a woman and fuck all night like the champion you are.”

I shoot him my infamous smirk and a quick shake of my head. No one knows about Fia except Giuliana, the only woman I truly could have seen myself moving on with. After a few months of trying, we both realized we weren’t going to work. She’s just as in love with another man as I am with Fia.

So, we go to parties and events as each other’s plus one, always holding tight to one another. It gives us both a breather from the pressure, although several of my teammates know it’s platonic. The press does not, and we have both been happy to keep it that way.

As if summoned by my thoughts, I see her weave through the crowd and smile warmly at the security guard who lets her through the velvet ropes to the VIP area. Her dress is short and beaded, with each strand moving with her graceful strides.

“Ciao.” She greets me with a short kiss. “You were amazing today.”

“Thank you. It was the whole team though.”

“Don’t be so humble, Massimo. You scored the winning goal. The Coppa Italia will be on your kit next year because of you.”

My chest puffs with pride because she’s not wrong. I grab her hand and walk out to the balcony with her for a little privacy. I need her opinion and guidance.

“I need your advice.” The city glitters beneath us with the domes of basilicas and ancient streets warmly lit. I brace my palms on the railing and bend at the waist. Her hand lands on my back as she runs it in a soothing circle.

“What’s wrong?”

“Fia’s here.”

“In the club?” She snatches her hand back and steps away from me. “Why didn’t you say so? I’d love to meet her.”

“No, she’s in Venice.” I stand up and meet her eyes. “And then she’ll be staying at my Lake Como villa.”

“That’s fantastic,” she claps her hands together. “But is her terrible husband here, too?”

“He’s dead. Died in a car accident a few weeks ago after celebrating his mistress’s pregnancy.”

Her lips form a surprised ring before her eyes harden and she slams her fist into her palm. “Bastard.”

“Sì.” I can’t say more because the rage I have just thinking about it makes me want to punch the closest surface. “She doesn’t know the villa she’ll be staying in is mine. Her father and I worked everything out.”

“Risky.”

“If we told her, she wouldn’t come.

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