Page 58 of Roman

“I think you’ll like my nonna,” I offered.

“Will she like me?”

“Definitely.”

“Why?”

I smiled at her. “Because I do.”

“Really?” she whispered.

I stroked her face. “Really.” I stood. “Bath time, then bed.”

“I don’t need a⁠—”

I cut her off. “I’m not asking.”

She piled the plates onto the tray, carefully adding the napkins and her empty glass. I tried not to smile at her actions, but she was so endearing. Nonna was going to love her, which, in some ways, would be great. In others, not so much. I had a feeling she’d be planning a wedding that was never going to happen. Once I made sure Effie was safe, she would return to her life, and I would go back to mine.

It was inevitable. I wasn’t the marrying kind, and she wasn’t the on-and-off affair kind of girl. I found her enchanting and enticing now, but I was certain that would fade. She would find me tedious and unable to make a commitment to her. My attention would wither, and she would cease to care. That was guaranteed.

Yet, the thought alone made my chest burn.

I might have turned the taps on too hard in the bathroom, the water splashing on my chest, dripping down onto my sweats.

I ignored it and the fact that a voice was whispering something I didn’t want to hear.

That maybe, just maybe, I could be wrong.