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When he smiles, my heart sings. “Of course I am. It’s a huge relief, too. Now we know everything’s going the way it’s supposed to, and it’s only a matter of waiting. I’m not the most patient person,” he admits, and it’s the closest I think he’s ever come to having a sense of humor about himself.
Yet I wait for more, my heart waits for more, but there is no more. He only offers a chuckle before turning back to the windshield and putting the car in drive.
So much for that. We always feel like we’re so close to connecting, but then we miss each other again. At least he seems happy, which makes me happy. I’m not so close to crying anymore by the time we make it home. “I’m pretty hungry now,” I admit. “I could fix us some breakfast if you want.” Because I can’t admit what I really want: to spend time with him. That’s it. We just went through the first ultrasound together, and it seems anticlimactic to go our separate ways now.
“I could use something to eat,” he admits. “But you shouldn’t have to go to the trouble. The doctor said you need to rest.”
“It’s fine. I think I can handle fixing a little breakfast.” And just for the hell of it, once we’re in the kitchen, I take an unused magnet from the side of the fridge and use it to fix the ultrasound image to the surface. So we’ll both be able to see it whenever we’re in here. Enzo’s grin tells me it was the right thing to do.
“Maybe you should try to get some sleep before you eat anything,” I suggest when I notice the shadows under his eyes. “It seems like you need that more than food.”
“No, I have too much to do. I’ll make it an early night.” He takes off his jacket and drapes it over one of the kitchen chairs while I pull out a pan and the butter dish. Maybe French toast—I suddenly have a craving for it.
Until his phone rings, and my heart sinks, and what might have been a nice breakfast slips through my fingers. I turn in time to find him reaching into his pocket for his phone. “Do you have to?” I whisper.
“What do you mean, do I have to?”
“I just thought… we could spend a few minutes…”
He scowls before pulling out his phone anyway, checking to see who’s calling. I wish I could see. “I have to take this.”
“What’s the point of being the boss if you’re still jumping the second the phone rings?”
“Who are you to tell me when I can answer the phone?”
“I’m just saying—”
“This is about my family.”
“Your family?” Though I just put it up there, I pull the photo from the fridge and hold it up in front of him. “What about this family?” Then I fling the picture at him before fleeing up the stairs. I’m not so hungry anymore.
Before I close the bedroom door, I hear his smooth, cordial voice. “Sorry, I just missed your call. What can I do for you this morning?” Nobody would ever guess he had an argument—or that he cares about anything at all.
And I remember the problem with my argument: we aren’t a family. We never were.
32
ENZO
“Iappreciate you agreeing to see me this soon.”
“Not at all. We made an agreement, didn’t we?” And I already know Rosa prefers to conduct business face-to-face. Her request for a meeting this afternoon didn’t come as a surprise. “Please, come inside. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” She looks me up and down in a cool, appraising sort of way while her men follow her into the house. “I have to say, I would never guess by looking at you that you’re the man who killed Josef Alvarez last night.”
“It wasn’t a particularly strenuous task.” I lead the way to the study, where Prince waits. “Now that all is said and done, I have to thank you for playing your part.”
“As promised.” We enter the room, and Prince stands, buttoning his jacket. “Now, Mr. De Luca, it’s your turn to fulfill your promise.”
“I appreciate people who get straight to the point.” Prince extends his hand as he crosses the room. “Ms. Martinez, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m—”
“Hello.” She offers her hand but hardly makes eye contact. Distracted and perhaps not impressed with Prince. I cough to cover up a laugh as she turns to me. “So? Shall we get started discussing the terms?”
“Yes, of course.” I glance at Prince, whose narrowed eyes and tightened jaw tell me he sees a challenge and wants to pursue it. He thinks he could handle her, and he’s the one giving me advice about women? It’s baffling.
“I’ve compiled information on the Alvarez shipping routes.” I offer a folder to Rosa, then to Prince. “You’re welcome to verify the information if you prefer.”
“I prefer.” Her lips twitch in the beginnings of a smile. “You’ve been quite thorough. I appreciate that.”
