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“You got this for me?”
Carlo nods.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. I just wanted to help you feel better. Don’t cry,” he says, sounding completely discomfited by the sight.
Thankfully, Sarah doesn’t cry, but she does sit up and throw her arms around Carlo’s midriff. He stiffens a little but manages to relax enough to pat her head. It’s all so cute, I wish I could take a picture.
“I think it’s perfect that you’re dating Doctor Tori,” Sarah says, looking up at him.
“Oh yeah?” Carlo asks.
She nods enthusiastically. “Yes.”
“You little minx. You switched up so fast over a box of chocolates,” I say jokingly.
She ignores me. “You can’t break up with Doctor Tori, okay? Promise me. And promise me you won’t fight with her again.”
She even holds out her pinky for effect. Carlo looks at me, and something flickers in his expression. Then he looks back at the little girl and links their pinky fingers.
“I promise.”
Adults are awesome at making promises they can’t keep. Sarah asks him a couple more questions and then we have to leave. Carlo follows me back to my office. Most residents don’t have offices, but owing to the shortage in pediatric doctors, I was lucky to get one.
Carlo’s eyes sweep over the mess on the table as he takes a seat in front of it. I’m immediately self-conscious, moving to arrange some of the books and the files.
“I do a lot of research,” I mutter.
“I didn’t say anything,dolcezza,” he says, amused.
“You were judging.” I grab the book I was reading earlier before sitting down. “So, what’d you think of Sarah?”
“I think you spend way too much time talking to little kids,” he states. “But she’s a cute kid. How about her parents?”
“They’re pretty busy. They own a fast-food restaurant. It’s the family’s only source of income so they have to be there a lot. It’s why I spend so much time with Sarah, so she doesn’t get lonely. Her parents are trying the best they can.”
“Alright.” He nods. “What time do you get off work?”
“In about thirty minutes. Why?”
“I was going to take you home.”
“Oh, right,” I say, laughing nervously. “About that…”
He arches an eyebrow as I trail off. “Spit it out, Astoria.”
“The reason I texted you yesterday was because my parents, um, pointed out something in relation to our fake relationship.”
“What?” he asks, his gaze turning sharp.
I’m sure my cheeks are bright red as I explain, “Well, they got suspicious because I’m still getting home around the same time every night and I’m spending all my nights at home so they’re curious about when we actually spend time together. My mom asked me point-blank why I haven’t been spending much time with you. So, basically, I think it’s best if I don’t go home tonight so they think we’re bonding.”
Carlo doesn’t say anything. As always, his expression gives away nothing. Finally, after several seconds, he speaks.
“Right. I never actually thought about that.”
“Me either. It’s not like we have a manual on how to fake-date. But yeah, it’s a pretty big oversight,” I say, biting on a fingernail. “I actually considered going to sleep at a friend’s house instead of asking you but I was worried it would somehow get out and everything would be ruined.”
