“I know and I’m so sorry. It wasn’t supposed to be this long, like I mentioned.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before he turned to face her.
“How’s Papa doing? I’m never 100 percent sure he’s not hiding how he’s really feeling.”
Sofia looked thoughtfully at him before answering.
“He puts on a brave front, but he misses her. Talks about her every day like she’s still here, you know?”
“Yeah, he does the same with me. Most days I like it, but some days?—”
Clearing his throat and choking back his emotions, Alex returned to their previous conversation.
“There’s a project in Argentina I’ve been waiting for, but the details haven’t been worked out yet. I would be photographing an international organization that’s trying to get funding to build wells in the barrios of Chaco. I promise I’ll tell them I can’t be away more than a few months.”
“That sounds amazing,” Sofia said. “I don’t tell you enough how proud I am of you.”
“Thanks, sis. And I’m proud of both of you, too. Your social media presence has doubled this year. I know that’s what your goal was several months ago,” he answered as he tweaked her nose, making her slap his hand away.
He loved that even after all these years, it still irritated her. She glared at him while scooting a few inches further away from his long reach.
“Getting more information out there about the organic line of cosmetics we’re developing was a genius move. Our marketing department has really stepped up.”
Alex took his last sip of whiskey and said, “Hmm, that makes me think of a tradition one of the villages had. Whenever there was a celebration, they used the red clay that surrounded their homes to make masks. Each marking had a meaning and apparently the clay had elements in it that were good for the skin. Oh, and their singing and dancing were mesmerizing. I think I’ll miss that the most.”
Soon the conversation turned comical as Alex got up and tried to show her a dance he had seen the villagers doing.Sofia snickered as he gyrated around the living room.
“I see you still can’t dance,” she joked, holding up her phone.
Alex pretended to be insulted, his hand clutching his heart.
“Don’t you dare post that,” he said when he saw her phone tracking his moves.
“Nah, this is for my private collection. Blackmail and all.”
“Should we talk about the night you snuck out to go to the concert?—”
Alex didn’t finish when Sofia glared at him with narrowed eyes and made a big show of stopping the recording.
“Idiot,” she whispered as he laughed loudly.
An hour later, as they lounged on the sofa, a nature show on in the background, Alex stifled a yawn.
“You should stay over in Dad’s room,” she said sleepily.
“Tempting, but I’ve been dreaming of sleeping in my bed at the house for months. By the way, thanks for helping coordinate the furniture deliveries. I’m in your debt.”
“Enzo did all the heavy lifting.”
“You’re still looking for your own place?”
With a sigh, she answered, “I am. It’s been good for me to stay with Dad through the transition this past year. Leaving Rome was hard on him with Mama gone. But I’m ready to find a place of my own soon. I think he’s ready too.”
“I’ll do anything I can to help with that. Say the word and I’ll make it happen. Thank you for looking after him while I was away. Another thing I’ll be in your debt for.” He yawned loudly again.
He had been waiting for a lull in the conversation to tell Sofia about meeting Aria, but it was evident she needed to talk through some things. She had more than stepped up for their family this past year and he didn’t want tonight to be all about him. But now he was fighting against exhaustion and jet lag.
“Come with me tomorrow night to Adrian’s opening. I know he’d be disappointed if you missed it. Bring a date if you’d like and I’ll meet you there. I’ll text you the details,” Alex said as he pulled out his phone.
