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“So, how was it?” I hear the smile in my dad’s voice.
“It was incredible.” I sigh, leaning against the railing of the terrace. “I still can’t believe you and Kane did that and neither one of you said a word.”
After skydiving, Kane treated me to the most incredible lunch at a small outdoor eatery before leading me two blocks away to a group of houses all bunched together at the top of a hill. I didn’t realize where we were at first. That is until I saw it. The tall yellow house that my mother posed for a picture in front of all those years ago.
Apparently Kane had called my Dad a couple days after we arrived in Italy. After pulling some strings, Dad was able to track down an old friend who got him in touch with the new owner of his grandparents’ old house. A small frail looking woman by the name of Everett, who readily agreed to let us visit after Dad explained to her what it would mean to me.
“I like him,” my dad interjects without commenting on my statement. “He seems like good people.”
Kane’s ears must have been burning because he chooses this very moment to push his way through the door, a takeout bag in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other, his smile lighting up the room the moment his gaze meets mine.
“Yeah, he is,” I admit, my focus trained on Kane. My stomach is a mess of butterflies as I watch him deposit the food and wine on the small table in the corner before stalking toward me.
“You sound good, honey,” my dad regards, pulling me from my haze. I try to snap out of the fog Kane always seems to cast over me.
“I feel good,” I admit, turning when Kane steps up next to me and drops an arm over my shoulders, his lips instantly connecting with my temple before his gaze goes out to the view of the water.
“Good. I knew this trip would be good for you.”
“Per usual, you were right,” I tell him.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing those words.” He chuckles and it instantly brings a smile to my face.
“To stand where she stood,” I say, redirecting the conversation back to the main reason I called him–the trip to my family’s old house. “It felt like she was right there with me,” I admit, emotion swelling in my chest like it had the very moment I stood on those steps and looked up at that yellow house on the hill.
“Because she was,” he says moments before I hear his hand slide over the phone and his muffled voice speak.
“Dad?” I question, unsure of whom he could be talking to.
“Sorry, honey.”
“Who were you talking to?”
“It was nothing. Just Jenson next door asking a question.”
“Right,” I say, thinking he could have come up with a better excuse than Jenson, who never speaks to anyone, asking him a question outside when less than three minutes ago he claimed to be in the kitchen making stir fry.
“Is Kane there right now?” My dad switches gears and my eyes immediately shoot up to the man standing next to me, his muscular arm draped around me.
“He is,” I confirm, smiling when he looks down and meets my gaze.
“Put him on, would you, dear?”
“Uh, sure.” I hesitate for a moment before handing the phone up to Kane who instantly drops his arm from my shoulders and takes the device, holding it to his ear.
“Sam.” Kane greets my father like they’re old buddies and my expression turns even more confused. “Yeah. Uh huh.” He pauses, listening to my father. “She did.” He chuckles, smiling down at me. “Absolutely. Will do.” He responds to something else, his gaze falling to me seconds before he says, “Bye, Sam.” And disconnects the call.
“What the hell?” I shoot up at him, taking my phone out of his hand.
“What?” He grins, chuckling as he follows me inside the room.
“Sam? You and my father are on a first name basis now?”
“Well, that is his name, Elara.” His laugh deepens, clearly amused.
“You know what I mean. And what the heck? You didn’t even let me say goodbye,” I point out.
“He said he needed to go. Told me to tell you he loves you and you’ll talk soon.” He crosses to the table and slides into one of the rickety chairs, gesturing to the other one before speaking again. “Sit.” It’s not an order, more like a gentle request.
