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My words cut off as Madeleine drives up beside us, honking twice and waving excitedly.

Charlotte immediately steps out of the car as if she can’t get out fast enough. She waves to Madeleine, then opens the rear door and carefully lifts Clara from her car seat. Still half asleep, Clara buries her face against Charlotte’s neck, blinking slowly as she wakes.

I open my door and stand, smoothing a hand down the front of my jacket as I make my way to them.

“Hey, sleepy girl,” Charlotte says, wiping back Clara’s curls. “We’re at Uncle Vin’s.”

At the sound of his name, her eyes widen, a little smile growing on her face.

God, she loves her Uncle Vin.

“There’s my favorite girl.”

Speak of the devil.

Vin strides down his front steps with his arms outstretched toward Clara, who instantly giggles with excitement.

“Win, Win!” Her hands grab for him as he scoops her out of Charlotte’s arms, cradling her against his chest.

“How’s my favorite niece doing today?” He kisses her temple as he carries her toward the house. “I bought everything for the biggest ice cream sundae you’ve ever seen. But don’t tell your daddy.”

I sigh. “I can hear you.”

He grins, looking over his shoulder. “I know.”

Charlotte’s lips curve up for the first time today. “He certainly knows the way to a girl’s heart.” She leans into the back seat and retrieves the colorful bouquet she created this morning, gently gathering it in her arms.

“That he does.” I slide my hands inside my pockets as Madeleine and Eli approach us.

“Did he already steal her from me?” Madeleine asks with a hand on her hip and an arched brow, annoyance clear as day written across her face.

“I’m afraid so,” Charlotte answers, biting back a grin.

Madeleine groans, stomping a foot like a toddler about to have a tantrum.

Eli slides an arm around her shoulders. “I think you two need to learn how to share.”

“That’s impossible,” she murmurs, sounding exasperated. “We’re both Scorpios. It’s not happening.”

Eli laughs, leading her inside the house. “That explains a lot.”

I follow behind, but when I glance over my shoulder, I find Charlotte still standing there, her eyes on the ground as she wraps her arms around herself, appearing like she’s trying to hold something inside.

The dress she’s wearing leaves me completely breathless, my heart pounding beneath my ribs as I take in every beautiful inch of her. The soft blue fabric flows to her ankles, hugging her figure exceptionally well. Sheer sleeves accentuate her arms while the neckline is just low enough to leave me desiring more.

She’s a vision I never want to forget.

A familiar ache spreads across my chest, directly over my heart. It shows up every time I think about Charlotte leaving, because losing her would mean losing the future I keep trying not to want.

I step toward her and reach out a hand, tucking her hair behind her ear and letting my palm rest on the curve of her neck. Her eyes meet mine, looking so chaotic it nearly undoes me right here and right now. “Do you want to talk, Fiorellina?”

Her lips part, but then just as quickly, she shakes her head, a soft smile appearing. “Not now.” She rolls in her bottom lip between her teeth, her gaze meeting the ground for a brief moment before looking back at me. “I think I’m just a bit tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

I arch a brow and smirk. “My apologies, should I have only given you one orgasm?”

Heat crawls up her cheeks. “No.” She looks around to ensure no one is close enough to hear her. “Three was perfect.” She hesitates, appearing unsure. “I just…”

“I know,” I say, holding out my hand for her to take. Her fingers intertwine with mine, and I bring the back of her hand to my lips to press a kiss against her knuckles. “Just a few hours here.” I drop our connected hands between us. “And then we can go home to talk about whatever is on your mind. Okay?”