Chloe silently shook her head.
Elle saw that Chloe was a little rattled at what had happened to her. She’d figured that would happen.
She tried to smile for her friend. “I’m okay. Thankfully, Nero was there, and that’s all that matters.” Elle wished she could properly comfort her friend by giving her a hug, or anything, but she never could, having to use only her words.
Chloe nodded.
Elle whispered. “Do you think Mom will believe I’m spending the night over at your house?” Elle was going to have to think of a reason why because, after three-and-a-half years, Elle had never spent the night over there. She had almost spent the night at Chloe’s once right after they had become friends, but unfortunately, it hadn’t lasted very long until Elle left, asking Chloe to come with her.
Chloe finally spoke. “I-I don’t know.”
Elle didn’t, either. “What about if I told her we have a project due tomorrow?”
Chloe tried to ease up. “It might work.”
“Come in here a second,” Nero yelled from the other room.
Elle didn’t know why Nero needed to yell. Why couldn’t he come and tell me? Then she remembered he was Italian. Oh, yeah, right.
Elle and Chloe followed the voice, leaving the foyer and going into a huge room that was the living room and kitchen combined. The space was ginormous. She wanted to see what the outside looked like because she was pretty sure it was a small mansion.
As Elle walked towards Nero, only seeing the back of him, she also noticed Vincent, Amo, and Leo beside him. Great.
She saw Nero turn to look at her and behind him one tall-legged, golden blonde appeared. She was stunning and looked like a young Victoria’s Secret model, even in a floral, modest dress. Elle had remembered seeing her at school, but she had never spoken to upperclassmen or even met any of them. The kids in her grade were already bad enough.
Elle watched her walk towards her and then the girl gave her a hug.
“You must be Elle. It’s nice to meet you.” Her voice sounded sweet, which was the opposite of what she thought it would sound like.
“This is my sister, Maria.” Nero laughed, looking at her stunned face.
Elle lightly hugged her back. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Maria pulled away and went to hug Chloe, but Chloe took a step back.
Elle tried to laugh it off. “This is Chloe. She’s a little bit of a germaphobe.”
“Oh, sorry. I’m a hugger, and I haven’t learned yet that everyone else isn’t. Nice to meet you, Chloe.”
Chloe tried to smile. “You, too.”
Elle quickly asked, “How many are there of you guys?” Elle wanted to know if she should prepare herself for another Caruso sibling.
Maria laughed. “There’s one more, Lucca. He’s the oldest. Then you just have me, Nero, and then Leo. Oh, and Dad, but that’s all of us that live here anyway.”
Elle knew Maria was older than Nero, but she also knew it couldn’t be by much, and another brother? Elle admitted she wasn’t very anxious to meet the oldest brother. She had a feeling, if the two youngest boys were heartbreakers, she didn’t want to see the oldest.
“That’s a lot of Carusos.”
“You did know Nero was Italian, right?” Maria pulled Elle over to the couch and waved for Chloe to come, as well.
Elle was taken off-guard by her. “Um, yeah, he mentioned it.”
After she sat down on the couch next to Maria, Chloe sat down on the other side of her.
Maria whispered to her and Chloe, “I haven’t talked to anyone besides my family since last semester. I just have to get through this week then classes start back again.”
Elle and Chloe both started to laugh. Now Elle understood the poor girl; she was surrounded by guys and had been dying for female companionship.
“They won’t let you leave?”
“I go to college, and they still treat me like I’m thirteen years old.”
Elle knew at one look why they treated her like that. She’s the definition of a bombshell. She just wondered what their parents looked like to create three knockout children—the fourth one remained to be seen.
“Do you go to the University here?”
“Yep. I didn’t have an option to apply anywhere else.” Maria shook her head.
“What are you going for?” Elle asked her.
“Business.” Maria looked over at Chloe. “I love your outfit.”
Chloe raised her eyebrows. “Thank you.”
Elle knew Chloe was shocked, not expecting or used to getting compliments from anyone. Elle started to like Maria. All the pretty girls at school were mean to her and Chloe, and none of them were even close to being as pretty as Maria. She felt bad for her, though; clearly they had gone to the next level in over-protecting.
“Maybe I can talk Nero into us three going shopping?”
Maria’s face lit up. “Yes! I am dying to go shopping! That would be so much fun.”
Elle smiled, knowing how well they were all going to get along.
They spent some time talking and laughing about movies, clothes, and makeup while the boys talked about God knew what. Nero had ordered some pizzas, insisting she needed to eat something. By the amount of pizzas he’d ordered, however, everyone benefited from her needing to eat.
Once the pizzas arrived, Elle noticed how uncomfortable Chloe was getting in a group and different environment. She saw her eyeing two doors that led into the backyard, and from what she could glimpse, a beautiful garden.
“Do you think Nero would mind if I walked out there?” Chloe whispered to her when everyone got up to go to the table.
Elle shook her head. “No, he shouldn’t.” Elle smiled at her, knowing she needed some fresh air. “Go on.”
Elle and Chloe both stood but went in opposite directions. Elle went to the table where everyone was around the pizza boxes, grabbing a slice, and Chloe walked out the back doors.
Vincent threw his arm around her. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”
Elle laughed at him, remembering him asking that the first time she had gotten hurt. “I’m fine. Just another bump on the head.”