He clinks his glass with mine. In this moment, I feel like his equal.
Who knew it would take going against every rule in his book to be on the same page.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Truth Bombs
Chiara
“Well hello, sis,”says Sophia, walking into the bedroom where I’m now propped up in bed, slowly eating a piece of homemade lasagna courtesy of Raf’s mom, Sienna. It reminds me so much of my mom’s version, the nostalgia is bittersweet.
I smile weakly at her, and she perches on the side of my bed.
“It’s got a nice ring to it,” I say.
“You sneaky Little Devil,” she says squeezing my leg affectionately.
“You might have to fight your brother for that nickname,” I say.
“I have sooooo many questions, but we have plenty of time to catch up on the details when you’re feeling up to it. You were already one of my ride-or-dies, but it’s nice to officially have someone I can call a sister.” She pauses. “More importantly, I love knowing Raf has someone who truly adores him by his side. He deserves it.”
“He’s an amazing man,” I whisper, overcome with emotion. “Part of me honestly didn’t know if I was going to see him again.But in my heart of hearts, I knew he would find me. Save me. Just like he’s been doing the whole time.”
“Love is a beautiful thing, isn’t it,” she says softly. I nod because I haven’t said those words out loud to him yet, even though I want desperately to tell him.
“Knock, knock. Is it okay if we come in and see Italy’s answer to Lara Croft?”
I look up to see Stella and Evie at the doorway. My poor heart feels like it’s going to give out. All these people rallied around me. Devastating loss and heartbreak may have driven me to New York to chase my dreams, but never in my wildest ones did I imagine that I would find my forever love and family.
“Of course,” I say hoarsely.
“Here, let me take this,” says Sophia, taking the tray from me and moving it off to the side.
Evie and Stella each bend to give me a kiss and a gentle hug.
“How are you feeling?” Evie asks.
“Like I went five rounds with Rocky Balboa and lost,” I joke. “Your hard work paid off, though, Evie. Your girl managed to slip a couple of our self-defense moves in.”
“So proud of you,” she says sincerely, but her lip quivers. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let you leave alone.”
“Oh my God, Evie. None of this is your fault. I don’t want you to give it another thought.”
“You must have been fucking terrified,” says Stella. “Letting your body heal is one thing, but make sure you look after your mental health too.”
“I mean, my track record does dictate that staring down death on any given day is kinda run of the mill.”
“But it shouldn’t be, that’s the point,” says Stella emphatically. “I know you want to use humor to make what happened palatable for everyone around you, but what you’ve been through over the last few years, today included, is morethan anyone has had to endure in their whole life. So I need you to promise me you’ll give yourself grace. Don’t try to jump back into work immediately, and make sure you up your therapy. This is going to bring up a lot of repressed emotions and grief for you.”
Tears streak down my face. Dammit! I’m crying again, but so too are the women I have come to think of as my sisters, including the one who now is by marriage.
My eyes flutter closed in exhaustion, but the pain in my body is keeping me from being able to rest. I can’t wait for the good doctor to finally arrive with some strong pain relief.
“You need rest,” says Evie, the first to stand. “But if you need anything else, you call us. Any time.”
“I think I’m going to need a few rounds of Stella’s famous cocktails after today,” I croak.
“Girrrl!” purrs Stella. “I think you’ve gone and done one better—you married the finest cock of ’em all.”
