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Gia dropped that little hint on purpose, to try and make me seem more impressive.
Evil sister.
I don’t need to have my sister prove that I’m impressive.
I am impressive as a rule.
“It’s decided,” I say slowly. “Tomorrow, we will go to the beach. As a family.” I add.
Caterina does register that.
Her eyes go a little big, but Gia swoops in with more wine. She refills all of our glasses and holds up her own. “To family!” she crows.
We’re Italian.
It’s rude to refuse a toast.
The three of us toast and drink. We stay outside for a minute longer, as Gia asks Caterina questions, drawing out the time for us to sip our wine and linger. Francesca comes out to collect a sleeping Luna, bringing her to her bed.
I continue to enjoy the time, letting the stability and peace consume me.
Eventually, though, Caterina’s eyes seem to droop. “I’m beat,” she says, her voice slurring a little. “If we’re getting up early, I should go to bed too.”
Gia looks at me, the question wide in her eyes.What are you gonna do about this?she asks with her expression.
Watch me,I respond.
“I will walk you inside, Caterina,” I grunt.
I’m not certain what possesses me to do so. Perhaps the strong wine Francesca served is getting to my head, but I know that this is an opportunity to be alone with Caterina that I do not often have.
“Um. Oh. Okay,” she whispers.
Noiselessly, we get up from our chairs. I follow Caterina inside.
I keep thinking about her in her swimsuit today. Her lush curves, that I remember so well, were on full display. The sun kissed her skin in ways that should have been indecent.
I wished to kiss her skin the same way.
As we near her and Luna’s room, we pause. Caterina looks at me, then looks away. She blushes.
“Caterina,” I rumble. “Have I upset you?”
“No!” She jumps. “No,” she continues. “I just. Um. Sorry, this is embarrassing but… I just haven’t seen you be so… relaxed before today.”
“Relaxed?”
“You almost smiled, when you were playing with Luna in the pool earlier,” she says.
I snort. “I did enjoy it.”
“Oh. Yes. So did I. I enjoyed watching you,” she seems to clarify.
Then, her eyes get big, like she’s said something she’d rather not.
For a minute, I’m confused, trying to figure out what she is embarrassed about.
Realization dawns.
