I take the chain out and put it around my neck, tucking the heart under my dress. My palm presses down, holding it against my actual heart.
There’s a knock at the door and then Hudson is walking into my room. “You okay?”
“Yep, I just wanted to change my shoes,” I lie.
“Really? So you hiding away up here has nothing to do with Emilio?”
“No.” I shake my head and frown at my brother. “I really wish everyone would stop seeing something that isn’t there.”
“Good, because I like the guy, but I will slaughter anyone who hurts you, Frankie.”
“What makes you think he’d hurt me?”
“Because love has a way of hurting people,” Hudson says.
“You know this from experience?” I ask him.
“Nope, I’m never going to fall in love. But I’ve seen it. I saw Alfie after that girl left him high and dry, and I’ve seen other people with broken hearts too. I don’t ever want to see you with one.” He points at me.
I smile at my brother. “I’m tougher than Alfie. We both know that.”
“You are,” Hudson agrees. He knows I’m not, but it’s a lie I’m willing to go along with.
“Besides, whatever you think is going on with me and Emilio, it isn’t.”
“Okay. You coming back downstairs?” Hudson asks.
“Yep, I’m just going to change my shoes,” I tell him.
“See you down there.” He walks out and I fall back onto my bed.
“You know what they say about those who protest too much?”
I jump at the voice behind me. Spinning around, I glare at the owner of that voice. “What the hell are you doing in my room, Emilio?” I hiss at him.
Then I realize he’s in my room. Shit. I rush over to the door, close, and lock it before anyone can walk in here and see him.
“If you wanted to get me in a locked room, you just had to ask.” Emilio smirks.
“I’m trying to save my carpets from being stained with your blood. Why are you here? Eliana said you left?”
“I am leaving. I had a pit stop to make. And then I heard you walk in, and then Hudson appeared,” he explains.
“Okay, well, now you can leave.”
Emilio’s eyes go to the now-empty gift box and then up to my neck. He walks around the bed and stops right in front of me. “He’s right, you know.”
“Who is right?”
“Hudson. He’s right. Hearts do break easy. You should be careful with the ones handed to you, Frankie. No one wants to find out what a broken-hearted Lopez is capable of.” Emilio’s fingers hook under the chain, and he pulls the charm out from its hiding place in my dress.
“I’m trying to save hearts, not break them,” I whisper.
Emilio’s eyes bore into mine. Neither of us blinks.
Don’t do it. Do not kiss me again. Because if you do, I won’t want to stop.
He surprises me by leaning down and kissing the heart charm. He quickly drops it. “Merry Christmas, Frankie,” he says before pressing his lips to the top of my head, just like how my dad and uncles do. Except when Emilio cups my face, it feels… different. It feels… like a lot.