Giovanni If you had asked me six months ago whether I think I would fall in love again. I would have said no. I didn’t know love would ever compare to my first, and I was never interested in trying to find one, no matter how much Gianna pressed me to find someone. I was content with my bachelor’s lifestyle and believed it would stay that way. Then she slipped into my bed and my heart. And now I can’t imagine a life without her in it. A life without loving her, kissing her, and making love to her is something I don’t want to experience, not after we’ve found each other. I look down at her as she lies naked beneath me, smiling. I press a kiss on her lips and then another, and another until we find a rhythm, and now we’re making out. I sigh as we melt into each other; nothing can be as perfect as this moment. Once the kiss breaks, I hover over her, my lips barely grazing hers as I stare into her eyes. She meets my gaze with a look filled with both love an

Ring, Ring, Ring. I grab my phone, thinking it’s her calling back, but when I look at the name, it’s William. I frown and pick up. “What?” “Is that how you greet your best friend? I’m hurt.” “Best friend? How many best friends you know trying to sleep with their friend’s woman?” “Quite a few.” “Goodbye.” He laughs. “Chill, I have moved on from Brandi.” “Then why are you calling her about your new spot? “ “Because she is good at what she does, great actually. I wanted a similar feeling, so I called her. You can relax. I know she only wants your old ass.” I frown, not buying his answer but deciding I’ll let it slide since I want to ask him about the search for that woman. “I’ll trust you, but if she tells me otherwise, I’ll shoot you. Now tell me, did you contact her?” He laughs. “Bros before h—you know what, I value my life too much. About the woman, I reached out; that’s why I’m calling. She’s at

I pull up and hop out of the car and make my way to the door. After pressing the doorbell, she finally opens the door. “Hey, Brandi.” “Where is he?” She steps aside. “He fell asleep, so maybe you can leave him until tomorrow.” I ignore her and make my way into her living room, where he’s lying on the couch. Well, at least he’s fully dressed and not in her bed. But I’m still pissed. What if he didn’t call me? What would they be doing? I clench my fist as I call him. “Giovanni!” I call. I’m so mad at him right now, but I know I have to stay calm, or I’ll kill him and her. “Giovanni, get up!!” He still doesn’t budge. “He’s out. Why don’t you both sleep here.” She says. I frown and move closer to him, and punch him in the arm, causing him to wake up immediately. “What?” He sits up and looks around. “See, he’s up. We’ll be on our way, but thanks for the offer.” “Fenice—fenice, is that you?” He

Cole I stare at the house for a second as I contemplate whether I should turn back. I’ve been sitting here for the last twenty minutes, and although I have to do this, I always promised myself I wouldn’t enter this place again. It’s filled with so many horrible memories I wish I could bury—memories of her abuse and my inability to protect her all those years. Her smile pops into my head, and I can’t help the joy and peace it brings me. I never thought I would be lucky enough to see that smile again. After that night, I ran away because I couldn’t face her. I couldn’t face the hatred that would be in her eyes when she looked at me. But she smiled at me. She doesn’t hate me. She doesn’t love you anymore, either. A voice says in my head, crushing the joy I felt earlier. That’s right; she doesn’t love me. She’s in love with someone else. I am happy she found love, and from how he acts, it’s clear he loves her, too. I am happy for her. Or I want to be happy

Brandi“Tell me if your foot hurts.” He says for the fifth time in the last fifteen minutes. It’s been three days since I twisted my ankle. It feels much better, but he’s been acting like I’m going to break whenever I try to walk around. He treats me like his most precious possession by carrying me everywhere in his arms. It has been sweet and annoying.“We should probably head back now.”“Bambino, I’m fine, look.” I jump up and down to show him my ankle is fine, but his face looks like he’s having a heart attack as he runs over to me.“Be careful, fenice, are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?”“Tesoro, stop worrying. It doesn’t hurt.”“I know I’m being overly cautious---.”Ring, ring, ring.He stops and pulls his phone from his pocket, and looks at it.“Sorry, I have to take this.