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He thumps his chest. “Still ticking.”
I laugh. “I guess that’s the best I can hope for.”
“How areyou,carissima?” he asks, and I blink, surprised, but don’t lift my head from his shoulder.
“I’m okay, Papa,” I say, although that’s not really true.
“You have a certain look,carissima,” he says, and then I do lift my head to look at him.
“What does that mean?”
“You look lovesick,” Papa says softly, and tears spring to the backs of my eyes.
It’s like for the first time in a long time, he sees me, and it makes me feel comforted and not alone.
“Iamlovesick,” I admit, and Papa nods, looking down at his feet which he’s kicking in the water gently.
“Nico, right?” he asks, and I swallow hard.
I don’t answer, but Papa seems to know.
“He seems like a good man,” he says. “Takes care of you.”
I bite my lip. “Yeah,” I answer, not sure what else to say. I don’t want to tell my father that Nico doesn’t want me, that he’s gotten me pregnant and he wants to keep seeing other women.
“I always knew you’d fall in love,carissima. You’ve got a big heart, lots of love to give.” He looks over at me with a serious gaze. “Just make sure that you give it wisely.”
I nod slowly, taking in his words. Maybe I need to back off even more from Nico. Maybe it’s just something that I can’t control, and I just need to protect myself.
My father has given me a lot to think about, and a lot of comfort, so we sit there for a long time, my head leaned against his shoulder, his arm around me.
If only life could always be so simple as it is in this moment.
24
NICO
I’ve just finished talking and drinking with Dante and I’m a little drunk and considering going into Aurora’s room when my sister bursts in the door, her eyes wild and angry.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she barks.
“Jesus, what’s gotten up your ass?” I mumble, and then Francesca puts both hands on my chest and shoves me. I’m not prepared and I’m a little tipsy, so I stumble backwards, sitting down hard on the bed.
“Aurora Costa, that’s what,” she seethes. “You knocked herup?”
Oh shit. I knew that this was coming, but I didn’t expect it so soon.
“Fuck.”
“Fuck, indeed,” Francesca agrees, clearly fuming and pacing around my bedroom. “How dare you take advantage of my best friend like that?”
“Take advantage of her? Francesca, she was a very willing participant—”
“Ew!” Francesca yells, covering her ears like a little kid. I roll my eyes.
“You asked,” I shoot back. “And you have no business coming in here and yelling at me—”
“You’re going to hurt her,” Francesca says, and I sober, guilt rushing through me.
