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Perhaps in time he’d be able to move on and stop thinking about her, when he should be thinking about his church.
Chapter Ten
Breakfast had been even more difficult than Emelia had thought it would be. She’d managed okay until Dante had shown up and sat beside her, thanks to Diego. Her twin knew that there was something going on between Dante and her, but he had no clue as to what, which was why he tried to get them together.
Diego meant well, but it didn’t help her one bit and put her more on edge than she already was. Until he’d joined them in the hotel dining room, she’d had no idea as to whether or not he remembered last night and what had happened. From his reaction to her, it was clear that he hadn’t. In fact, as far as he knew, Eric had seen him back and both she and Eric had been fine with him believing that.
Sighing heavily, Emelia thought back to when she’d snuck out of his room last night. She’d been embarrassed, but she’d also been in tears because he’d fallen asleep straightaway. She’d known then that he wouldn’t remember. Perhaps that was for the best.
Nothing that had happened in his room would change anything between them. All it did was give Emelia memories of him to keep her warm at night.
She only wished . . .
Bang. Bang.
She jumped at the sound of someone knocking on her door, but she quickly went to answer it and found Eric with a frown on his face.
“What the hell happened between you two last night?” Eric demanded.
Emelia stepped back. “You better come in.”
She hadn’t finished packing but that would have to wait now that Eric wanted answers. She’d have to skim the truth because she wasn’t about to tell anyone.
Her mother always said that she had an open face, meaning the truth was always written there. For once, she hoped that her mom was wrong because she knew that Eric wouldn’t be fooled.
“Emelia! I’m not going anywhere until you’ve answered me.” He paced back and forth in front of her win
dow before he stopped and glared at her. “Downstairs you wanted me to let Dante presume that I was the one to get him back here. Why?”
“It was easier that way.” She shrugged as if that was the simple, and only, answer.
“Nothing is easy when it involves you two,” he mumbled.
“Eric, please, just let it go. It’s over with now. There’s no reason to stress him out about the whole thing when he can’t even remember.”
Eric’s eyes narrowed and Emelia cringed. She’d given too much away.
“Hmm.” He sagged into the one chair in the hotel room, rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. “I don’t know what the fuck to do, you realize that? All my life, I’ve been good at making split second decisions, but with you two, I find that I can’t even make one.”
Emelia felt close to tears with how her life had gone. Last night, with Dante, had been the most amazing night of her life so far, and she wouldn’t forget it or regret it for as long as she lived. A huge part of her felt sad that Dante couldn’t remember what had happened between them. A smaller part was thankful because she knew that it would hurt Dante to know that he’d betrayed his vows. The fact that he thought her to be his sister would take a backseat once he knew what they’d done.
“Your silence says nothing, but everything at the same time.” Eric held his hand out to her, and when she took hold, he pushed her down to sit on the bed. “You need to go home soon and talk to your mom. As difficult as it’s going to be, the truth has to come out, and the sooner the better.”
“I’m afraid,” Emelia whispered.
Eric reached out and caught a lone tear as it slipped down her face. “I’ll go with you.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her a hug. “I’ll be there for back up.” He smiled. “They’re our family Emelia, and even though it will hurt Diego the most, the rest of us will be hurt and angry to discover that Dad has lied to us all these years. It needs to come out, and then Dante will be able to decide whether or not he wants to stay in the church.”
Emelia couldn’t hold her sob in any longer. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” She met Eric’s gaze. “What if he chooses the church?” she cried.
Eric pulled her against him, and just held her while she continued to cry her heart out. “I don’t know,” he whispered honestly against the top of her head. “But no matter what, I’ll always be here for you. Diego and you will always be part of my family, my heart. Don’t ever forget that Emelia.”
“I won’t.” She pulled away and reached for a Kleenex on the dressing table to mop herself up. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready to go home...but...can we keep it quiet about Dante and me. I mean, I don’t even know if there’ll be a Dante and me yet.” She shrugged, and tried to hold herself together.
“Yeah, one shock at a time,” Eric agreed and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t wait too long.”
“I won’t.”
With one last hug, he left her to her own thoughts.
