All I've Never Wanted(88)

I nearly collapsed with relief when I saw Carlo stride over angrily. He looked madder than I’d ever seen him. Actually, I’ve never seen him mad before, period. It was a little scary.

Rico shrugged, seemingly unperturbed. “Just getting to know your friend, little brother,” he answered cavalierly. “Besides, this is my house too.”


“For now,” Carlo muttered. He switched his gaze to me, concern filling his face. “Are you okay?”

I nodded.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded again, wondering why he looked so on edge.

“Come on, let’s get you back in the guesthouse,” Carlo murmured, guiding me inside.

“It was nice to meet you!” Rico called out laughingly. “I’ll see you around…very soon.”

Carlo’s hand stiffened on my back, but neither of us said anything until we were inside.

“What was that?” I breathed. You could’ve cut the tension between Carlo and his brother with a knife.

He shook his head. “Just my brother being a jerk, as usual.” He frowned down at me. “I’m sorry you had to run into him.”

“It’s no big deal. He didn’t do anything.”

“Good.” Carlo sounded relieved. “Just—be careful around him, ok? He’s not the nicest person on the planet.”

“Hey, if I can take on Roman, I’m sure I can handle him,” I half-joked.

A sad smile flitted across his face. “It’s not necessarily the same thing. Just promise me you’ll be careful?”

I bit my lip. “I promise.”

Carlo’s shoulders relaxed a bit, and the smile reappeared. “So tell me. What are you going to do about Roman?”

Now it was my turn to stiffen. “What do you mean?”

A mischievous twinkle lit up his dark eyes. “Well, you are going to get revenge on him for what he did, right?”

I frowned. “I never thought about it.”

“You should. It’ll be pretty easy, he gets jealous quickly.” Carlo smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “You can only be jealous if you like someone, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like me. What?”

Carlo was staring at me in disbelief. “Are you sure you’re an honor student?”

“Of course I am!” I huffed, insulted. “I’ve been an honor student all my life!”

“So you’re honestly telling me you don’t think he likes you?”

I blinked. “Um. No. I mean, yes.”

He laughed. “Wow, this is going to be fun.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He just shook his head. “You’re coming with us to celebrate Adri and Zack’s birthday next week, right?”

“Of course. We even picked out Zack’s present together, remember?”

Carlo grinned. “Good. That’ll be the perfect time.”

“For what?”

“To make him jealous.”

I stomped my foot. “I told you, you can’t make someone jealous unless—“

“Unless they like you, yadda yadda yadda.” He tugged on a lock of my hair. “Come on, don’t knock it till you try it. Besides, wasn’t he trying to make you jealous yesterday? Why don’t you give him a taste of his own medicine?”

“I’m pretty sure he was just trying to be a pain in my butt yesterday, as usual,” I sniffed.

Carlo just looked at me. I threw my hands up, letting the towel fall to the floor. “What do you want me to do? I’m not good at this stuff!”

He laughed. “Wearing that bikini might be a start.”

I made a face. “What a perv.”

Carlo smirked, ruffling my hair. I grumpily tried to swat his hand away. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you out. Just consider it a social experiment of sorts. Have fun with it. Even if it doesn’t work, just consider it an ego boost."

Part of me still wanted to say no. Considering I’ve never had a real boyfriend, I’m not so good at these flirting games people pay. On the other hand, what if I could make Roman jealous? Or at the very least, upset?

I suddenly flashed back to the scene on the staircase, after I came home from the amusement park with James.

A small smile curved my lips. Huh. Maybe was Carlo right. It was time to give Roman a taste of his own medicine.

* * *

“Thank you for an amazing day,” Solange cooed, as Roman pulled up in front of the hotel where she was staying.

She trailed her fingers down his chest until it rested precariously close to a certain region below his belt. “You can come up with me if you want,” she breathed. “I have a hot tub in my room.” She eyed him suggestively.

“No, thanks,” Roman answered curtly, grasping her wrist and placing it in her lap. “You should get some sleep. You leave early tomorrow.”

Solange pouted. “I can make time for you.”


Jeez, couldn’t she get a hint? “I’m tired,” he snapped.

She frowned. “Fine,” she huffed, grabbing her new Gucci purse angrily and opening the door. She stopped and looked back at him hopefully, as if he were going to call her back.

When he didn’t, she slammed the door shut.