Family Dinner

ARYA’S POV I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, smoothing down the emerald dress I had chosen for tonight. The emerald color made me smile despite my nerves. It reminded me of that night at the courtyard and the first time Giovanni and I had really kissed. But the smile faded quickly, replaced by a cold feeling in my chest. Giovanni hadn't been around all day. Not when I had come back from gelato with Marco and Christabel, their laughter still ringing in my ears. Not when I'd showered and changed, trying on three different dresses before settling on this one. There no text message to confirm tonight's plans. And according to Matteo, he wouldn't be riding with me to the restaurant either. But he would "meet me there." The distance felt deliberate, like he was reminding me of my place after yesterday's kisses and confessions in the kitchen. I pressed my hand against my stomach, trying to calm the anxious flutter there. Maybe I had read too much into his gesture of bringing m