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Wifely perks I suppose.
“Oh, my goodness.” I whistled and covered my cheshire grin with my hand.
“I know, it’s terrible.” Molly groaned, turning around to go back in.
“It’s perfect!” I screeched, standing up to chase after her, “Absolutely perfect.”
Her face contorted as she looked back at me. “For what? I have nowhere to wear this.”
“Uh hello!” I sang, “We have two and half weeks left on board.”
“And?”
“And you have your new uniform,” I said plainly. The teal tennis dress she was wearing was far more serviceable than what I would have loved to see her in, but I was trying to warm her up to the idea of feeling more comfortable in clothes better suited for her age and beauty. The dress was sleeveless with a fitted skirt that landed mid-thigh with a pair of shorts underneath for modesty and activity. It was cute, fun, and flirty, and she looked like a twenty-something-year-old wearing it. There was no reason for her to hide behind more clothes than a nun, especially when we were on vacation for Christ’s sake.
I wanted it to look like I was out sightseeing with a friend, not a staff member. Because I didn’t have any friends besides Molly, I needed her to be my equal when we were out alone and free to be just us.
I needed it.
“You’re getting it,” I insisted, “One in every color for on board the ship, and then we’ll find sundresses for days we’re out doing things like this, and-” I paused and then grabbed onto her with even more excitement, “bathing suits!”
“No!” Her pretty blue eyes rounded in fear as I giggled enthusiastically. “No way!”
I paused and bit my bottom lip, “You can sunbathe with me Molly, it is allowed.”
“No, it’s not. It’s the exact opposite, I could lose my job!” she hissed.
“Molly!” I grabbed onto her arms to stop her from unraveling down a road of hysterics. “You helped sneak me out of Armarow using secret passageways and then helped me cheat on a pregnancy test using the same secrets.” I deadpanned as she paled even a bit more, “Where did that brave girl go?”
“There are limits to what I can get away with in my position.”
“I agree,” I said evenly, “But those limitations don’t even begin to cover what I can get away with in my position. Nico knows I adore you, there isn’t anything you could do to jeopardize your position or employment if it is done to make me happy.” I gave her a look, “And you know it.”
She chewed on her lip in contemplation and then relaxed her tight shoulders as she realized I was right. “Tennis dresses, yes. Bathing suits, no.”
“Fine,” I shrugged, turning away to sit back down in my seat, “But sundresses are a yes then.” She opened her mouth to argue, but I held my finger up, stopping her. “Did I tell you that I saw Matteo on board before we left this morning?” I asked, watching her closely for the reaction I expected that news to have on her.
Her eyes fell to the floor as a blush crept up her cheeks while she played with the hem of the skirt. “Really?”
“Yep.” I popped the ‘p’ and tilted my head. “Nico said he was joining us for a while. Something to do with business in Sicily.” She watched me as I simply smiled at her. “Sounds liketroubleto me, huh?” I used the name of the informant in her phone that told her Nico was just trying to rile me up with the woman in his penthouse when he left Armarow. The same person she claimed she had no business talking to but couldn’t seem to meet the eyes of whenever he was around at the estate.
“How did you figure it out?” She asked quietly like she felt ashamed.
I walked back to her and put my hands on her shoulders, giving her a squeeze and a gentle smile. “I may be new to marriage, but I’m not new to affection and the way men look at women that they’re completely engrossed with.”
“No, he doesn’t-” She started but I shook my head, silencing her again.
“It’s okay to let someone have a crush on you, Molly.”
“He’s way out of my league.”
I scowled and dropped my hands. “He’s good-looking, sure.” I shrugged, “But not anywhere near how good-looking you are.”
“No, I mean rank.” She sighed, “I’m just a maid. And he’s-” She paused, “He’s the second in command to the Cosa Nostra.”
“And?” I deadpanned.
She rolled her eyes and deflated even more. “And he could have any woman he wants.”
