A Toast to Deception

Alessia’s POV

Gennaro shot to his feet the second he saw me, guilt written all over his face. “Miss Alessia, I... I thought you’d be asleep. Otherwise, I’d never have left.”

Clara cut him off with a wave of her hand. “Gen, relax. I invited her.”

A few faces fell, disappointment flashing before they quickly looked away. They weren’t just surprised to see me, they were worried, and that’s exac