Alessia Mancini
Riley's eyes widened in concern as I slid back into my seat. The scent of espresso and freshly baked cornetti wafted around us, a stark contrast to the tension coiling in my gut.
"Alex, are you okay?" she asked, her voice low and worried. Her fingers drummed an anxious rhythm on the tabletop, her chipped black nail polish catching the light.
I forced a smile, hoping it reached my eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Signora Vitale was just checking in." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I pushed on. "She's one of the people my father owed money to that I paid off on his behalf."
Riley's brow furrowed, her sharp mind no doubt picking up on the inconsistencies. "That's... awfully nice of her to check in, isn't it?"
I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance as I picked up my cooling cap
