Valentina

"I want all the juicy details. Are you two getting back together? Does his father still glare at you with contempt? And what about his mother, is she back in the picture?" Chiara rattles off questions in rapid succession.

"Can I at least catch my breath? I just walked in, Chiara. The least you can do is help me unpack," I reply, half-teasingly.

She rolls her eyes, opening my box. "Girl, spill the tea. I saw you blushing the minute you stepped out of your car. I knew something was up."

"How did you even know I was arriving today?"

"You sound like you're not happy to see me," she says, pouting.

"I am, it's just that I wasn't expecting to be ambushed."

"Quit the drama. I'm being helpful. I came to check up on your mom, and she mentioned you'd be coming in today, so I stayed back."

"Well, I think Marco and I are back together," I announce, fanning my cheeks.

"No way! Now this is what I've been waiting to hear. It's about time. Tell me everything!"

I recount the morning's events and our co