~ Massimo ~
"Why?" Niamh finally asked, her voice breathless and small. "Why did you want to have a double date, Massimo?"
I took a slow step toward her, keeping my movements deliberate. I wanted her to see me as the man who had built this night for her.
"Because I thought it was the right thing to do," I said, my voice steady. "We are couples, Niamh. I wanted us to have an intimate moment together as one."
I glanced toward Andrej, who was still wearing that proud, satisfied smirk.
"And I wanted them to have their moment too. It was time Andrej and Shauna had their first real date as a couple, and I wanted it to be a memorable one."
As the words left my mouth, I saw Niamh's face begin to soften.
The sharp line of her jaw relaxed, and the biting cold in her turquoise eyes thawed into something warmer, something surprised.
