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"You and me both," I say dryly. "I'm going to Montauk. You're in charge here for a couple of days. Tell Mom I'll call and see her when I get back."
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Has Cara finally replied to your five thousand pathetic messages?"
I decide to ignore the dig. Otherwise, he'll be on the floor with my fist in his face and there won't be anyone to close up the club tonight.
"Yes. I'm going to talk to her."
"Fine." Romano rolls his eyes and sighs. "I hope she's worth all this fuss. In my experience, women are confusing and thoroughly annoying."
I have a feeling he's talking about one woman in particular but now is not the time to start that conversation. He's a big boy, he can deal with his own problems.
"She is worth it," I tell him before calling the pilot and informing him of my flight plan. If I leave now, I can be there nice and early.
Chapter 21
Cara
The sky is streaked with pink and orange along the horizon. It's just after dawn but already the air is warm. It's going to be another scorching day, summer's last blowout before fall. My feet dig into the cool sand as I walk along the shore.
I love the beach at this time of day. There is rarely anyone around other than the occasional dog walker, which is why I'm out here wearing nothing but some cotton shorts and a tee. When the clock hit 5 AM and I realized sleep wasn't happening, I crawled out of bed, made a coffee, and set off walking. The coffee is long finished but the mug is still hooked around my finger. It'sone of Jodie's hand-made ceramic creations and I know she'd be mad if I lost it.
Despite the gorgeous sunrise, my skin itches from the inside and I want to scrape it all off to ease the tension. Aside from his one-word reply, I heard nothing more from Christiano. Given I've spent all week trying to convince myself he's a bad idea, I should be pleased he's given up on me. But instead, I'm upset that he's apparently not interested in talking.
It wasn't that late when I texted him. He could have called me. I sat there for hours waiting for my phone to ring but nothing. It's why I didn't sleep a wink last night. My body is exhausted, but my mind refuses to shut down. I know I have dark circles under my eyes and my hair looks like shit, but I don't care. Jodie isn't at the house. She stayed at Callum's house last night, so at least she won't be around to nag me this morning.
Whether I hear from Christiano or not, I've decided to head back to Miami tomorrow. I have just enough cash to cover the cost of a plane ticket, and I know Jodie will drive me to the airport if I ask. I've already missed too much college, and if I stay here much longer, it will affect my grades. Besides, Thalia is back in a couple of days, and she'll be around to see me the minute she is. I'm also missing Hamish, even though he's perfectly fine with Maisie, who has sent me a million photos of my cat sprawled out with packets of Dreamies littered everywhere.
A gull screeches as it flies overhead. I turn around to head back toward the house. With every step I take, I resolve to put all this behind me. Being kidnapped is character-building, I tell myself. I can use it as a good anecdote when I'm older. And as for Christiano, well, every woman needs a man like that in her past. Sure, the bar for all other men I might meet is now ridiculously high, but I'm probably overdue for a long period of abstinence. Celibacy is good for the soul. If nuns can manage it, so can I.
There's a tall figure walking toward me. The sun is in my eyes, and I squint. Something about the person looks familiar, but I can't see enough to work out who it is. I carry on walking, looking for bits of wood and pretty shells; Jodie uses them in her sculptures. Then I look up and he's there.
Christiano.
He's wearing dress shoes, black pants, and a dark gray button-down shirt. In fact, he looks more like he's ready for a night on the town rather than a day on the beach. I stop, unsure of what to say. Is he here or am I hallucinating because of sleep deprivation?
"Cara," he says, his voice all husky. Then it hits me, he came for me.
"Are you here to talk?" I assume so. It would be the first time a guy traveled a thousand miles just to dump my ass.
"Of course. You messaged me. Here I am."
"I meant over the phone," I point out dryly.
He ignores that and studies me closely.
"You've not been taking care of yourself," he says, reaching out to stroke my cheek. "I can see dark circles under your eyes."
"We have a matching set," I remark, noting how he hasn't shaved for at least a day and his hair looks like he's been combing it with his fingers for hours.
"I've given you time, Cara, but I'm done waiting now."
I lower my gaze. I feel bad for making us both miserable, but I needed some space to let my confusing emotions sort themselves out. Jodie is right. I am safer with him than away from him. Besides, I've caught feelings, so it's too late to protect my vulnerable heart.
"I'm sorry," I murmur and then burst into stupid tears, unable to stop the flood of emotion from breaching the wall I put in place a week ago. He pulls me into his arms, and I inhale the delicious scent of him. I love how he makes me feel safe, like nothing and no one can hurt me. When the tears finally slow down, he wipes them away with his thumb.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I promise you that I will take care of you. Nothing and nobody will hurt you ever again."
"Not even you?"
