Rachel nodded. “Yes.”
“Perfect.”
Rachel paused. “There’s one more thing. The press wants interviews, especially after the recent philanthropic work. We also heard from Mrs. De Luca.”
I tapped my fingers on the armrest. “I don’t have time for interviews, but we’ll see. What’s the update with Mrs. De Luca?”
She handed me a folder of medical reports. “I’ll handle the press, sir. This is today’s update.”
I reviewed the file and smiled because her treatments were working, and despite the drowsiness and headaches, her scans were improving.
“Everything looks good?” she asked.
“It looks great. I’ll schedule a follow-up for next month,” I said, standing and heading toward the piano.
Rachel hesitated. “Anything else, sir?”
“Could I get some crocheting supplies?”
She nodded. “Right away.”
I softened my tone. “Rachel, you’ve been with me since the beginning. If you want to go explore, you can.”
She looked torn. “I’ve always wanted to see Lake Como.”
“Then go. After getting the supplies, take the two days off.”
Gratitude and surprise flickered in her eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’ve never let me down. Enjoy every moment,” I added warmly.
Rachel nodded, pausing at the door. “What about you? Will you be alright here?”
I smiled. “I’ll manage. I’ll be crocheting, after all.”
With that, Rachel left, leaving me alone with my thoughts, and the only thing I wanted to explore was the different layers of Nina Moretti.
Rachel left, only to return moments later, arms full of the crochet tools I’d requested. She set them carefully on the table beside me, her eyes glinting with amusement as she glanced over the yarn and needles.
“You’re going all in with this,” she remarked, a mix of amazement and disbelief in her voice.
I chuckled, feeling a bit sheepish. “I watched a tutorial on crocheting a snowflake.”
Rachel laughed, the sound warm and familiar. “So, you’re officially committed to the craft?”
“Fully committed,” I replied, grinning. “Though I’m not sure it’ll look anything like the video.”
Rachel lingered, her gaze softening as she watched me arrange the yarn. “I don’t mean to overstep, but... why have you kept doing this, year after year?”
I looked down at the yarn in my hands. “It’s the best way I know to keep Nina with me. Crocheting was one of her favorite things to do.”
She nodded slowly, processing my words. “So, are you always going to love her from a distance?”
I paused, thinking carefully. “No. I think I was waiting to see if there was a way to make it work and bridge this impossible gap. Part of me thought I could keep her safe from a distance, that I didn’t need to disrupt her life again.” I met Rachel’s gaze, a small, rueful smile tugging at my lips. “But I don’t think that’s enough anymore. I couldn’t be who she deserved then, so I went to therapy and got better.”
Rachel regarded me thoughtfully, her expression softening with sympathy. “I hope it goes well. You’ve never seemed happier, and I’ve worked for you for years.” She chuckled, adding, “Oh, Alex called earlier. He said the guys miss you.”
I laughed, the mention of his name bringing a warmth to my chest. “Tell them I’ll be back soon. I haven’t gone off the map yet.”
