Page 32 of The Taste of Deceit

“You were a kid.”

His jaw flexes.

“I’m so fucking sorry you went through that without me.”

Fresh tears spill down my face.

“I wish I could go back and change it.”

“So do I.”

He pulls me against his chest again.

“But I can’t.”

His lips brush the top of my head.

“So I’ll settle for making damn sure you’re never alone again.”

He holds me for another minute before finally loosening his arms. His hands linger on my waist as he looks down at me.

“Go sit on the couch for me.”

I blink.

“What?”

“Go sit down.” He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ll clean up.”

“Luca, I can—“

“I know you can.” His thumb grazes my cheek. “You’re not going to.”

Before I can argue again, he presses a kiss to my forehead and helps me off his lap.

“Couch.”

I shake my head, but I don’t argue again. I make my way into the living room and settle onto the couch, tucking my legs beneath the blanket draped over the arm.

Luca carries our bowls into the kitchen. He scrapes the last of the chili into the trash before rinsing the bowls and loading them into the dishwasher. He washes the pot by hand, wipes down the counters, then dries his hands on a dish towel.

I watch him the entire time. He catches me staring once, but neither of us says anything. A minute later, he turns off the kitchen light and walks into the living room.

Luca settles beside me on the couch, one arm stretching along the back cushions. For a minute, neither of us says anything. The television stays dark. The only sound is the steady rhythm of the waves beyond the windows.

I tuck my feet beneath me and turn toward him.

“I was looking at master’s programs earlier today.”

His eyes shift to mine.

“Oh, yeah?”

He turns his body toward me and rests both hands on my legs beneath the blanket, his thumbs brushing over my knees.

I nod, smiling.

“USC has a counseling program.” I smile a little. “I’ve been thinking about going back.”