Page 23 of Love Unwritten

“Hey.” He tips his chin in my direction, showing off his angular jawline as he stops in front of the outdated countertop across from me. He looks out of place with his custom suit, designer accessories, and fancy haircut, yet no one would guess he isn’t perfectly at home with the confidence he exudes.

I aspire to achieve the amount of fucks Lorenzo has to give, which is none.

I lean back in my chair and cross my arms. “I hear you’re looking for a wife.”

He shoots Willow a withering glance. “I thought we agreed to keep that a secret.”

“You can trust her.”

“I don’t trust anyone.”

I point at myself. “Hi. I’m standing right here.”

His dark eyes flick over me without an ounce of interest. “Are you single?”

“Yes.”

“Would you like to become a millionaire?”

A laugh explodes out of me. “Who wouldn’t?”

“I have a proposition.”

“Save it. There’s not enough Vittori money in the world that could convince me to be your wife.”

He doesn’t look affronted, because that would require feeling something other than indifference, but he does turn his nose up at my comment. “Whatever. I’m not into blonds anyway.”

Willow lets out a huff. “That rules out half of the eligible women in this town.”

His clinical gaze meets hers. “Or redheads for that matter.”

“She’s been taken since eighth grade.” I ignore the twinge in my chest at the same wistful look Willow always gets whenever she thinks about her fiancé, who is completing his internal surgery residency in Washington. I’m not jealous of their long-distance relationship or anything, but I do wish for that kind of companionship. The same connection that my mom has with my stepdad.

Instead, I’m being propositioned by a sociopath to play his fake fiancée because I’m single and unemployed.

Lorenzo glances at his watch for the third time since arriving, which is my cue to go. I’ve been enough of an inconvenience for Willow as it is.

“As much fun as this has been…” I slide off my stool and inch toward the exit.

“Where are you going?” Willow points at my half-finished cereal bowl.

“My parents’ place. I want to get there before my mom leaves for work.”

“I thought you were going to stay with me.”

“I’m afraid another night on your guest mattress might screw up my spine alignment.” I rub at the knot forming in my neck.

“You can share my bed!”

“Thanks, but your snoring would keep me up all night.”

She flips me off, and I break out into laughter.

“Add no snoring to my list of requests too,” Lorenzo drawls.

Willow shoots daggers at him before looking back at me. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Positive.”