A Love Restored

Chapter 123

The dress is absolutely beautiful. It’s black and reaches just below my knees, and its low cut enough to show some of my cleavage. I love it. It’s sexy in a classy way. Bethany knows my taste in clothes so well. She’s almost like my second mother. She even went with me to shop for my prom dress, and gave me the birds and bees talk because my father felt too awkward about that.

Bethany leaves me to get dressed in her room after she gives me the dress and I thank her profusely for it. I put on the dress and wear my hair loose. I put on some mascara, eyeliner and lipstick because that’s all I have handy. I don’t look half bad. In fact, I might even look pretty. Bethany also lets me barrow some nice shoes from her.

When I step outside, Bethany is standing there.

“You look beautiful, Ginny,” She says. I smile widely. “Come on, let’s get you downstairs before Dante comes in. He’ll blow a fuse when he sees you.”

I choke on thin air, coughing awkwardly. “What has Capo Bastone got to do with anything?”

“I don’t know,” Bethany says as we start walking. “Just the fact that you are in love with him.”

Is it that obvious?

My eyes widen. “I’m not in love with him:

“Sure, you aren’t.” She nods. “But I know you’ve liked him for a while, Ginny. Now is your chance,”

Now I’m freaking out, Does everyone know that I love Julian? Is it that obvious? And why did no one tell me that he’ll be coming too?

Just as I break out of my revery, I spot Julian walk in. He’s wearing a black suit with a black shirt, unbuttoned at the top. He was wearing the same thing this morning. He’s coming straight from work. And God, does he look good. He always looks good. There is no second guessing that. Always so perfect in his perfectly tailored suits and his hair styled like he gets it done professionally every morning.

The Riveras lucked out in the gene pool. All of them are really good looking. I’m low–key jealous of them.

And I think Julian is the best of them. He’s tall and towers over everyone. And he works out, which is quite visible. His eyes are beautiful and smouldering and dark and so deep.

I draw in a sharp breath. Bethany stilles a laugh. She pushes me in the direction of the main door, thenalmost vanishes.

1 look at Dante and gulp. He reaches me in four long strides, then looking down at me, smiles. “Ginevra,” he says lowly, “Happy birthday.”

“Grazie, Capo Bastone,” I say. I feel too shy to meet his eyes, but I can feel his gaze linger on my chest. I gulp. He’s not being shy about it. In any other man, I would hate it. But I like that he’s looking at me. I want him to look at me.

He comments.

“You look nice.” He

I nod, and give him a small smile. “I’m glad you came to the party.” I should have said thank you. But I’m nervous and flustered and my heart is lodged In my throat. And my stomach is like a pool of anxiety.

My eyes widen the moment I realise what I have said. There is no way in hell I can let him know about my feelings for him. If he does get to know anything, all this limited conversation of ours will stop altogether.

“Nico has thrown a magnificent party. He really loves you.”

“He’s not “I shake my head, “We’re just friends.”

I finally gather the courage to look up at his eyes, Lean feel those pools of green and blue bore into me. Jullan has heterochromia. His right eye is a dark green, and his left eye is a dark blue with little specks of silver. Most people find it scary, weird even, but I’ve always found his eyes to be his most beautiful feature.

The music changes from an upbeat dance number to a slow song.

“I love this song,” I say. I look up into his eyes, barely smiling. It is a random, rare moment of courage. But he takes the hint.

“Would you

like to dance, Ginevra?”

Chapter 121

“A–are you sure? You don’t – I’m silenced when Julian takes my wrist and begins leading me toward the dance floor.

He pulls me close to him, with a hand on my waist and the other behind my neck, With our height difference, my face is pushed into his chest. Trembling with the new found proximity, I weave my arms around his back.

“Someday, when I’m awfully low

When the world is cold

I will feel a glow just thinking of you.

And the way you look tonight

Julian’s lips hover over my ear.

“I never said yes to dancing, you know.” I mumble.

“Both of us know you weren’t going to say no, GinevTA.”

I hate how assured he is that I wasn’t going to say no. It’s true, but a little anticipation on his part would have been nice.

“Yes, you’re lovely, with your smile so warm

And your cheeks so soft

There is nothing for me but to love you

And the way you look tonight

“When did you grow up, Ginevra?” Julian whispers, his hand moving down my waist to the upper part of my butt. I can’t remember when you weren’t a little kid.”

I’m so aware of it. So aware of his hand on me. My breath catches in my throat. I can’t believe this is happening.

“I’m not a kid, Capo Bastone.”

“Say my name, Ginevra.” He says lowly. I look up at him, our eyes meeting. He has a smug expression his face. His grip on my waist tightens.

We’re moving slowly, our bodies attached, the soft rhythm surrounding us.

“With each word your tenderness grows

Tearin‘ my fear apart

And that laugh wrinkles your nose

Touches my foolish heart

Lovely, never, never change

Keep that breathless charm

Won’t you please arrange it?

Cause I love you

A just the way you look tonight

laper. 11,4 the first time 19e vind has maine to hit her, before this, he had only ever heen Capo Bastone, Underboot of the

in that wonkke

Chapter Comment

weitan, Gürsesta. I want to take you bone and ravish you

• foc, I take a step back to get away from him. The song comes to an end, and Julian releases me. I run.

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