Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83776 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83776 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“You’re right.” He tears his gaze away from his father and gazes down at me, a little smile on his face. “That’s not why I wanted to talk.”
“Oh, now you have a reason to tear me away from my wine and that comfortable chair?” I elbow him playfully. “Better spill it.”
He seems to hesitate, and I know my husband pretty well by now. I can tell he’s about to bring up something he doesn’t like.
“When we first got married, I made you a promise,” he says, speaking softly. “It’s July. I said you could spend the summers at your home in Philadelphia if you wanted, and I swear I won’t hold it against you if that’s something you still want. Honestly, it could even be a good thing, with the war and all.”
“The war’s on ice,” I remind him.
“For now.” He tilts his head and stops walking.
I face him, hands in his. This man has no clue. He’s got absolutely no clue, but I still love him anyway.
“Sure, okay, I’ll go to Philly for a couple months,” I say, keeping my tone light. “Maybe I’ll come back at the end of September, how’s that sound? Three months without me?”
He grimaces and nods his head. “Whatever you want, baby.”
I laugh despite myself and slap him in the chest lightly. “You big moron. You really think I want that?”
“I just—” A smile curls at the corners of his mouth. “You’re fucking with me.”
“I’m fucking with you,” I confirm and roll my eyes. “Seriously, Davide, what makes you think I’d want to leave here?”
“I promised,” he says, which is admirable, if dumb.
“I’ll go visit my brothers for a few days. I need to see Giorgia, Maddie, and all the other girls too. Maybe I could stay out there for a week. And I’d love it if you came with me. But there’s no way in hell I’m staying there all summer. That’s a hard no from me, dawg.”
He stares at me, saying nothing, and the relief in his expression makes me fall so hard for him all over again. That’s the joy of love like this: a constant tumbling, a beautiful fall.
He kisses me, bruising my mouth with his. I lean into it, happy to get a kiss, even though I did mess with him for no reason.
“I think I can spare my wife and her family a few days,” he says and his voice is velvet on my throat.
“Perfect. We’ll set it up with Renzo.” I lean into him, shaking my head. “I can’t believe you really thought I wanted to go stay in Philly without you for three months.”
He wraps his arms around me. “Baby, there’s no part of me that actually wanted it, but I’d do anything to make you happy. I just need you to be sure.”
“I’m sure,” I say and pull away. “I’m beyond sure. I’m home.”
He takes my hand in his and we continue our walk, past the houses I’ve grown so familiar with, past all the guards I know by name these days, and toward the city I adopted as my own.