"I should go pack.”
"Of course."
“And I’m sorry if I caused you unnecessary trouble.”
“You didn’t.”
He doesn't offer to help, which is probably for the best. I need to do this myself, to prove to both of us that I can.
Packing doesn't take long since I barely had time to unpack in the first place. The cottage still looks perfect when I'm done, like I was never there at all. Which is probably appropriate.
Enzo drives me back to the village without much conversation, and I spend the short trip looking out the window at the landscape I'm choosing to call home.
When we pull up in front of my dark house, I realize something.
This is where I belong. Not because it's easy or comfortable or makes sense, but because it's my home.
"Having second thoughts?" Enzo asks as we sit in the car looking at the broken shutters and weedy front steps.
"No," I say, and mean it. "This is where I want to be. I was thinking about all the things I need to do."
He carries my suitcases to the front door and waits while I unlock it with my medieval key. The interior is exactly as uninviting as it was when I left. Cold stone, musty air, and shadows that seem ominous in the weak light filtering through dirty windows.
I smile anyway when I step inside.
"Franco will be here at two o'clock," Enzo tells me. "He'll assess what needs to be done first."
"Thank you. What should I expect in terms of cost?"
"We'll discuss that after Franco provides estimates."
He means he'll pay for it, which is generous but also maintains my dependence on him. I need to figure out how to handle that conversation when the time comes.
"I should let you get settled," he says, but he doesn't immediately move toward the door.
"Enzo?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For understanding why this is important to me."
"You're welcome."
He pauses in the doorway like he wants to say something else, but then apparently thinks better of it.
"Call if you need anything," he says instead.
"I will."
After he leaves, I try to convince myself I've made the right decision. It's going to be uncomfortable and more expensive than I can afford.
I set down my suitcases and look around at my disaster of a house with fresh eyes. This is my project now. My responsibility, my challenge, my opportunity to prove that Madison Sullivan can make something beautiful out of chaos.
Time to get to work.
Chapter 14: Enzo
I drive back to the villa alone, pissed off and trying to figure out where I went wrong.
