Chapter 52 First Kiss

• Victoria nodded, following his lead. “Yes, Uncle, you’re the friend I’m most grateful for. Because you already have someone you like, I can’t... I can’t allow myself to like you. So…”
• Her voice trailed off, and her words became incoherent. Yet, the raw pain and helplessness in her tone were unmistakable, striking a chord deep within Dante. She had spoken directly of his ambiguous relationship with Lola, exposing her unease and trepidation.
• The forbidden thrill of it all electrified Dante. He had never regarded Lola as an unbreakable boundary, and this little girl’s barely concealed feelings and clumsy attempts to hide them were driving him to the brink.