Angela shouldn't have been surprised to see that her friend had slept with Giovanni last night. The two flirted with each other the whole night—despite their banter and careful tolerance from the other. She shouldn't have been surprised, and yet she was.

Giovanni and Nina were both unquestionably attractive, and they looked good together. But Angela didn't find the sizzling chemistry like she and Gael had together.

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Or was what she and Gael had so special that she couldn't see it from another couple?

Nina was just like how she was after a one-night stand—satiated and nonchalant. And Giovanni was the same, looking casual as he put on his pants and shirt before leaving the bedroom.

Which was probably why there was this nagging feeling in Angela's heart where she was unsure of what would happen between the two she cared about. Obviously, she cared about her best friend, and surprisingly, she also cared about Giovanni.

As soon as it was only Angela and Nina left, the two began laughing their asses off. What a way to greet the morning.

While Nina showered, Angela sat on the bathroom counter, asking her best friend questions about how she ended up in bed with Gio last night, in which the other answered without holding back.

Apparently, the two of them were shit-faced drunk when he guided her to the guest room. She started stripping her clothes off as she felt "too hot", and it just happened—typical drinking at the club and ending in a one-night stand kind of night.

When the two best friends came out of the bedroom, Gael was still on the folding table, and Giovanni was nowhere in sight. Angela made coffee, and they sat at the island counter, both of them ogling at Gael while he got his spine and other parts cracked by the chiropractor.

"Did you like it?" Angela asked, her lips blowing into the mug of black coffee which she preferred that morning. She didn't have to elaborate to Nina that she was referring to her best friend's night with Giovanni.

Nina purred under her breath. "He does this thing, and I swear… Oooh." She shook her head. "My eyes rolled back, and I saw my brain inside my head. The man was like how I heard he'd be. He's a fucking freak in bed—even when drunk."

Angela snorted a laugh, wondering if Nina also heard rumors about Gael, but she didn't ask. Oh, well. At least her friend had fun.

Then Nina bumped their shoulders together. "Guess you saw your brain too this morning. You were so loud. You practically shook the entire floor." She wiggled her brows.

"Oh, my god." Angela covered her mouth as she laughed, mortified that her best friend heard them this morning. She was so into chasing her orgasm with Gael that she forgot Nina was just in the other room—not to mention, Giovanni was actually there too. A hint of red tinted her cheeks as they high-fived each other.

If Nina heard them this morning, did Gael hear the two when they were at it last night too? Did he know?

"Gael's very insatiable." She shifted her eyes in his direction, skating over the bulges of his muscles while remembering how they feel under her fingers. "I think I need to up my cardio to keep up with him."

"I mean… Look at his body. He has zero fat. I bet he's the kind who likes rough sex. Am I right, or am I right? Wait—don't answer. I heard you this morning, so I'm guessing he does." The grin on Nina's face grew above her cup.

Angela didn't answer that, but she chuckled before taking a sip of her coffee.

"Seriously, Anj… I'm so happy you're having great sex. You look so glowing here in New York. It's like you've found your paradise here." Nina fingered Angela's hair behind her shoulder. "I don't have to ask. I can see you're remarkably happy—ignoring the shît storm Cynthia gave you. I've never seen you like this. Not even with Andy, and certainly not with the man who shall not be named."

Angela met her friend's loving gaze. She told her about bumping into Andy a few days ago and that he wanted to meet up. Nina said something similar to what Gael said—that Andy probably wanted to catch up for closure or something. Angela thought so too, but she didn't know if she was brave enough to face the man. Brushing it off her mind, she smiled at Nina, content about her best friend's observation.

Until Nina added, "Don't forget to take notes for your books." She winked. "Your fans love the sordid details on your smut."

Angela playfully pushed her best friend and shook her head, stifling the smile on her face. Those sordid details were private, and she was selfish to share their moments.

Gael got to his feet and saw the chiropractor to the door. When he came back, he pressed a kiss on her temple. "You hungry?"

"A little. Is your arm okay? I didn't know you were hurt."

"It's fine. This shoulder has always been sensitive. I popped it last night." He didn't elaborate that it was from the activity out the alley, but Angela understood. He was still shirtless, and she swallowed at the temptation. She wished she could see him like this 24/7, but she also wanted him to throw a shirt on so her best friend would stop ogling. "Gio went out to get us breakfast. He'll be back soon."

The three of them went on a smooth and casual conversation. Angela observed Gael and Nina as they conversed, and a small smile lifted on her face when she noticed that he was genuinely trying to get to know her best friend and not merely making conversation just to be polite.

He didn't stay far from Angela, moving around the kitchen to fix himself an espresso from the Moka pot, but whenever he paused, he was right next to her, his hands always touching her shoulders, her arm, her neck—as if he couldn't help it and he needed the contact.

A few minutes later, Giovanni came back, and he strolled into the kitchen, placing a paper bag on the counter and wearing a smug look on his face. "Hey, beautiful ladies." He winked at the two best friends.

Gael was taking out some plates from the cupboard when Giovanni mischievously said, "Your girlfriend saw my dick."

Angela spat the coffee that she just sipped and was sent into a coughing fit. Nina shoved some paper towels to her and began stroking her back.

"What?" Gael turned around, cocking his brow in question.

"I didn't know he was there!" Angela explained. "I went in to wake Nina up, and he just strolled out of the bathroom without clothes on."

With a smirk, Giovanni leaned against the counter, crossing his arms across his chest. "I showered. Of course, I wasn't wearing clothes."

Gael drew his brows together, his stare bouncing between Giovanni, Angela, and Nina before settling a glare at Gio. He wanted to punch his uncle's teeth off to wipe the look on his face. But he didn't. Shaking his head, he turned around again, poured coffee into two mugs, and gave one to Giovanni.

"Grazie." Giovanni shoved a hand to his pocket and lifted the mug to his lips. He blew on it and took a generous sip. Not a second later, he spat it out and dry-heaved as he hurried to the sink. "Dude! What the fuck?"

Unperturbed, Gael sauntered towards Angela and pulled her to his side, his arm resting around her shoulders. "I thought it was sugar." He shrugged as he met Giovanni's scowl. No, he didn't think it was sugar. He poured salt into his uncle's mug.

Angela and Nina, who caught on what Gael just did to Giovanni's coffee, snickered.

Giovanni rinsed his mouth and threw his head back to laugh. "Fuck you. Don't be salty—pun intended—that your girlfriend had the privilege to see my dick that's bigger than yours."

"You wish, Captain Doodle." Gael rolled his eyes while Nina shifted her eyes between the two men, interest lacing her expression.

Angela scoffed, leaning into the crook of Gael's shoulder. She didn't think Gio's was bigger than Gael's. If anything, she could say they were pretty much the same size. Big and hung like a horse. It must be the De Luca genes.

Giovanni scanned the three in front of him, and the corner of his lips pulled up into a cheeky grin. He snatched Gael's cup of coffee and sipped. "Hey, what do you know… All three of you have seen my dick. What a bond we have. Am I right?"