155 Gianna’s POV Back in the city, it felt like everything should have gone back to normal. The trip was behind us, and with it, the long nights, the rooftop wine, and Matteo’s surprising kindness. We were back in our element: the office, the routine, the emails that never stopped. It was safe here, predictable. And yet, I found myself glancing at my office door more often than necessary, half expecting Matteo to walk through it with one of his disarming comments or an unsolicited opinion about my latest report. He didn’t. Instead, he kept his distance, but not in the way I expected. Matteo had always been everywhere, his presence big and loud, demanding attention. But now, he was more subtle, almost… careful. And it was driving me insane. It was barely past nine. I was hunched over

