lover of mine | Franco Colapinto

The next day, Madelaine was feeling creative. She had finally started to feel like herself again, and to celebrate, she came up with a fun idea for a TikTok challenge.

"Alright, Franco," she said, setting up her phone on the tripod in their apartment. "We're doing the lip-reading challenge. You say something, and I have to guess what you're saying while listening to loud music."

Franco smirked. This was his chance. If she was going to make this a challenge, he was going to make it extra difficult for her. And of course, he had to make it cheeky.

"Alright, let's do it," he said, watching as she put on her noise-canceling headphones. The music blasted through them, and she gave him a thumbs-up, signaling that she was ready.

He leaned in slightly, making sure to mouth the words clearly—but instead of something easy, he decided to say something in Spanish. And not just any sentence.

"Queda linda mi remera en vos, pero sin ella me gustás más."
(You look incredible wearing my shirt, but I like you more without it.)

Madelaine squinted, trying to read his lips. "Uh... something about... a shirt?"

Franco bit his lip, nodding. "Sí, sí."

She focused harder. "You... like my shirt?"

He shook his head, amused. "Casi."

Madelaine furrowed her brows, watching his lips again. "Wait... wait... I look incredible in your shirt?"

Franco burst out laughing. "Yes! And?"

She sighed, clearly struggling with the rest. "I—uh... but... you... you like what?"

He just smirked at her expectantly, waiting for her to piece it together.

Madelaine pulled off the headphones. "Okay, what did you actually say?"

Franco grinned, leaning in close to whisper in her ear, his voice low and teasing. "Queda linda mi remera en vos, pero sin ella me gustás más."

The second she processed the meaning, her face turned bright red. "Franco!" she gasped, smacking his arm.

He burst into laughter, throwing his head back. "Hey, you wanted a challenge!"

Madelaine groaned, covering her face with her hands. "You are impossible."

"But you love me," he teased, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Unfortunately," she muttered, rolling her eyes, but she couldn't stop the small smile forming on her lips.

Franco just grinned, knowing he'd won this round.

Madelaine crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow at Franco as he continued laughing. "You do realize this is going on TikTok, right?"

Franco immediately stopped laughing. "Qué?"

She smirked. "Oh yeah, it's already recording, mi amor."

His eyes widened slightly before he chuckled, shaking his head. "Ay, Dios... mis fans are gonna love this," he said, rubbing his face.

"Well, it's your turn now," she said, handing him the headphones. "Sit."

Franco took a deep breath, still smirking as he put the headphones on. "Alright, hit me."

Madelaine thought for a second. She wasn't going to be evil like him—she'd be nice. And she'd say it in English, so at least he had a chance. She took a step closer, making sure to mouth the words clearly:

"You're my favorite person in the whole world."

Franco narrowed his eyes, staring at her lips. "Qué? Uh... something about... a favorite?"