“Yeah, well, the divorce is almost finalised, so hopefully he won’t get any funny ideas.” I shrugged. “Or I’ll burn the house down with him in it.”
“Jesus.”
“I’m kidding. I think?” I laughed as Enzo pretended to run away.
“You really should consider the mafia.”
“And you really should consider Vanessa.”
Enzo rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the stain of red on his cheeks. How had I never noticed this?
“Listen, I think it’s a wise move, asking him to move back in until the baby is born. It doesn’t mean you’re taking him back.”
Enzo reached out and hugged me, his warm embrace suddenly manly and…needed.
I didn’t need a man, but it sure was nice to be held by one sometimes. And his words comforted me too.
It didn’t mean I was taking him back, or that I was weak. And now that I’d told Enzo, it felt real.
I needed to call Victor.
Except… I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I drove home, devouring the cupcakes on the way. Chocolate frosting smeared over my lips, my tongue trying to catch it all as I pulled onto the drive.
Our house sat waiting for me.
Our. House.
I groaned and slid out the car, using my fingers to sweep up the remaining frosting,
I couldn’t stop replaying my conversation with Enzo, over and over again.
It doesn’t mean you’re taking him back.
This mattered because deep inside I questioned what Victor would take this as.
Not that it mattered—I would happily put him in his place if I needed to.
I tossed the cupcake box into the trash and picked up my phone, scrolling to the message thread with Victor.
I typed out a message, my hands trembling as Enzo’s words rang in my ears.
It doesn’t mean you’re taking him back.
And I hit send.
35
VICTOR
Everything looked different at night, but at three in the morning, when it was freezing and deserted, it also looked eerie.
I’d worked night shifts years ago, but that was in a hospital, where you never could tell night from day. This was a completely different ballgame—outdoors on your own?Not for the weak.
The wind blew and metal clanged in the distance, putting me on high alert. I’d already swept through the whole site countless times, but I didn’t want to fuck up on my first night on the job.
I’d been lucky to get a quick start—the boss took one look at me and asked if I felt strong enough to tackle an intruder should I need to.
Any excuse, pal.
