Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 16

Sick and Grumpy

Bore I could even process his words, Archie unlocked the door and pulled it open. Not a second later, Alvise stepped inside, and in proper male fashion, they exchanged one of those weird, quick handshakes.

My eyes roamed over Alvise’s body as I took in the sight of him. He was wearing loose black jeans and a grey hoodie. I was suddenly jealous. It had been raining non–stop all day, and even with the comforter draped over me, I was still a little cold. preferred hoodies to wrapping myself in duvets because they allowed me to move around freely.

I hadn’t asked Archie for one of his hoodies because I suspected Francesca liked wearing them too. I didn’t want to be anywhere near something she’d worn.

As if sensing my gaze, Alvise scanned the room until his eyes landed on me sprawled across the couch. He took in my current position and held my gaze.

His fiery blue eyes locked onto mine for a beat before he turned his attention back to Archie, and the two of them / immediately launched into a discussion about investments and… I zoned out immediately.

Though Alvise’s presence had shaken me and made me nervous, I felt a little more relaxed knowing Archie was here. It made everything feel less awkward.

Another movie had started playing and it looked somewhat interesting, so I grabbed the remote, turned the volume back up, and focused on it. I could hear movement around me as they paced around the apartment, discussing things I couldn’t care less about.

“Little Bella?” Archie’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I looked up. “Yes?”

He gave me a flat look. “I’ve been calling you nonstop. Where did you go?”

I giggled. “Sorry.” I sat up. “I was engrossed in watching women swindle men out of their money.”

Archie scoffed. “Of course you were.”

He gestured for me to follow him into the kitchen, so I did. To my surprise, Alvise was standing in front of the cabinets. rummaging through them with intense focus.

I exchanged a look with Archie before blurting out, “What’s your friend doing?”

Archie smirked. “He’s sick and is now attempting to make soup.”

My eyes widened. I turned toward Alvise and watched him carefully. He didn’t really look sick, but that wasn’t what surprised me. It was the fact that he was trying to make soup. Alvise Valerio… In a kitchen, making soup. Impossible.

“Does he know what he’s doing?” I whispered while watching him chop vegetables,

Alvise looked up and sent me a bored look, indicating I hadn’t been nearly as quiet as I’d thought.

Even though he returned his attention to the vegetables, I noticed how red his eyes were up close and the faint flush staining his cheeks. Yep. He was definitely sick.

My brother draped an arm over my shoulder. “He’s not exactly a novice in the kitchen,” he said. “He works with recipes and can make something edible. But whether it’s actually edible depends on the consumer’s definition of the term.”

I chuckled softly, my eyes lighting up with amusement. God hadn’t been unfair after all. There was actually something Alvise Valerio couldn’t do.

“And this,” Archie continued, “is where you come in, sister.”

A moment later, I heard the front door open and slam shut. I looked back at Alvise. He was still intently dicing carrots into perfectly identical cubes. Actual identical cubes.

He was leaning down, our faces only inches apart. “What are you doing?” he asked.

I scoffed and pushed at his shoulder. He didn’t budge. When I tried again, he finally stepped aside and gave me room.

Now that I wasn’t distracted by how annoyingly attractive he looked, I could clearly tell he was sick. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked after a while.

When no response came, I looked up. He was already staring at me. I swallowed and quickly turned my attention back to the vegetables.

Once I finished dicing them, I pulled some chicken breasts from the refrigerator. After defrosting them, I washed and cut them up. I seasoned the chicken, added water, tossed everything into a pot, then lowered the heat and left it to cook.

Alvise hadn’t moved. He’d simply stood there, silently watching my every move. Even now, as I finished washing my hands and drying them with a napkin.

I sighed dramatically. “You don’t have to watch me so closely. I won’t poison you if that’s what you’re thinking.” I said and bit my lip thoughtfully. “At least not right now…”

I froze when he pushed off the cabinet and started walking toward me with a hard look on his face.

Alarmed, I took a step back. “I promise I was joking.”

“You’re cold.” He said and his eyes dropped to my hands.

I followed his gaze and noticed the goosebumps covering my skin. I was wearing a short–sleeved T–shirt and jeans. Considering the weather, it had been a terrible choice.

I shrugged. “I just need to go grab the duvet…”

Vise pulled off his hoodie and held it out to me. “Shut up and put it on.”