Nico must have sensed my sudden agitation. He casually placed his hand on my lower back in an understated but possessive move, clearly making a statement. “Plenty of milk and good genes, I guess,” he responded politely.

“I see,” she said with a head bob of understanding, turning back to me. “So, you looking forward to moving into your new place?”

“I can’t wait. It’ll be my first time to have my own apartment, and I’m more than ready. What about you? What’s new in your world?”

“My life is super boring. I’m going to have to figure out how to spice things up.” She waggled her brows at us, relieving some of the underlying tension and making me laugh.

“Oh Lord, I don’t even want know.”

She plastered a look of feigned offense on her face, her hand coming to her chest. “Sofia, I can’t imagine what you’re implying. You know I’m as pure and wholesome as the newly fallen snow.”

“Riiiiight,” I teased, slowly nodding my head.

“Actually, this is a great time to work on plans. I’ve been thinking about throwing together a girls’ weekend. Nico, you mind if I borrow her for a minute?”

He chuckled, nodding his consent. “By all means. I don’t want to get in the way of a girls’ trip.”

Giada grabbed my arm, waving at Nico as she tugged me along in search of Alessia. “It was great to see you!” she shot back over her shoulder.

The rest of the night was a blur of conversation and cocktails. The one constant was the invisible thread that tethered me to Nico. I could feel it connecting us at all times—no matter how far apart we were or how engaged I was in conversation—as if his warm hand still rested at the base of my spine, reassuring me of his presence.

When the night drew to a close with only a few stragglers left drawing out their inevitable departure, it became clear I’d missed Nico leaving. Caterers bustled through the room, picking up drink glasses and collecting table linens. My parents attempted to convince a very drunk man and his date to call an Uber, and Alessia was on a sofa with Luca absorbed in an intimate conversation I had no desire to interrupt.

My part was done, and I was exhausted. Slipping my heels from my aching feet, I quietly made my way upstairs. On party nights, all family rooms were closed to help keep uninvited guests from wandering to other parts of the house. My door and all the others upstairs were shut, the hall meekly illuminated by what was left of the downstairs lights.

I opened my door, closing it again behind me, and tossed my shoes toward the closet as I made my way toward the bathroom. Just before my hand reached the light switch, I froze, recognizing the presence of someone behind me. When I spun around, I found Nico sitting in my vanity chair in the far corner of the room, ensconced in darkness.