All I’ve Never Wanted(168)

Adriana, who never settled for less than the best, got into as many schools as I did, but her choice was instantaneous: Yale. Parker, on the other hand, followed in his ancestors’ footsteps and registered at Princeton, where his great-great-something grandfather had been part of the very first graduating class. Those Princeton girls had no idea what was coming their way, even though the renowned playboy has (gasp) renounced his ways. Part of it was because he actually loves Adriana. The other part? I’m pretty sure he was slightly terrified Adri would cut his balls off if he ever cheated on her.



And what about Carlo, you ask? Well…that was up in the air. Literally.



He was supposed to be going to Middlebury, but after everything that happened with Daria, he might take a gap year and spend it in Australia with her. If they still had a thing. I don’t even know. They had a very…complicated relationship, to say the least.



I really did like Daria, though, so I hope they can figure it out. Even though we didn’t meet her until the second semester, she had become part of our highly dysfunctional family.



“Maya!”



I immediately tensed, and the exact same expression crossed everyone’s face: mild fear.



Taking a deep breath, I turned around and gave my grandmother a big smile. “Hi, grandma! I’m so glad you could make it!”



She frowned at me, not looking glad at all. “Maya, why you wear white? Not your color,” she chided. “Your butt look even bigger in white!”



And here we go again.



Luckily, distraction came in the form of a little fur ball called Mickey—or Mikey, as everyone called him in front of my grandmother, since we didn’t want to set off another broom incident.



The puppy bounded over with Giselle hot on its heels. I’ve gotten to know her a lot better the past few months, and was surprised by how funny and down-to-earth she was, considering how much her husband was worth. Of course, the elder male Fiori had only stayed for about a minute before jetting off to Japan or something for business.



I can’t say I was sad to see him go.



“Mick—I mean, Mikey, settle down,” Giselle scolded as the puppy ran threatening circles around my grandmother, barking the whole time. Giselle had come to view Mickey as her grand-puppy; my grandmother, on the other hand, did not have a good relationship with Mickey. My grandmother hated animals, and I think Mickey could tell, because he never stopped growling at her when she was near, and she never stopped trying to swat at him with a rolled-up newspaper like he was a fly.



Needless to say, that was one feud I’m not going to intervene in. I value my life, thank you very much.



“Stupid dog, I ship you to pound if you don’t stop bark,” my grandmother snapped, eyeing my puppy resentfully.



Mickey crouched down and growled ominously, a challenge glinting in its eyes.



“Peewee! Blondie! Take care of him,” my grandmother demanded imperiously, as Parker and Adriana were the closest to her. They both just blinked.



At that moment, Mickey lifted up one leg and peed on my grandmother’s shoes.



Holy. Freaking. Crap.



Without saying a word, Roman, Giselle, Zack, Venice, Adriana, Parker and I all bolted from the scene, my grandmother’s scream ringing in our ears and attracting much unwanted attention. We managed to make it to safety but ran straight into Carlo.



“Carlo! You’re here!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms around the Colombian.



He looked amused. “Of course I’m here. You didn’t think I was just going to grab my diploma and leave without saying bye to you guys, did you?”



The rest of us exchanged guilty glances.



“So, you’ve decided then?” I asked, lowering my voice. “You’re going to Australia?”



Carlo’s face grew more serious and he nodded. I bit my lip. That was such a huge step, but I’m kind of glad he was going to do it. Middlebury would always be there. Love, on the other hand, is one of those things that was definitely worth chasing.



“Have you spoken to Daria?”



He rubbed the back of his neck. “Briefly, yesterday night. Right after she landed. The school’s going to mail her diploma, but…” He sighed. “She has no idea I’m going.”



I grinned and hugged him again. “I’m really proud of you,” I mumbled, my voice muffled by his chest. And I really was.



If I wasn’t so in love with Roman, I probably would have ended up with Carlo, but I’m not sure that would’ve worked. We were just so similar it would’ve been like dating myself, and besides, I know he he was meant to be with Daria. Everyone had found their other half; I’m glad Carlo had too. They just needed to make it official.