“I feel the same way, I don’t think my brain could comprehend how I feel right now.” I roll off her and pull her into my side.
We lie together in each other’s arms for the longest time. I think she might have fallen asleep when she reaches up to my cheek and caresses my neck.
“What happened tonight that brings you to my door at this time?”
I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I’m stalling for time, because I don’t know how to tell her that my family is driving me crazy without sounding like a spoilt brat. Some people are crying out for families and would do anything to have one. Yet, right now, I’d do anything to give mine away.
“My family. I walked in on my dad and Lucca having an argument and I snapped. I just told a few home truths that should have been told a long time ago. I hate myself for answering back elders, but good God, it felt great.”
“Feel better?” She looks up and gazes at me through the moonlit room.
I nod. “I do now. All thanks must go to you for that.”
“I’ve learnt that, over time, sometimes we’ve got to get a lot off our chests before we can move forward. It isn’t easy to let go of something, Gio.”
I nod. I know what she means. “I’m really sorry about what my dad said to you tonight. He had no right to say that to you and it pissed me off to see that hurt in your eyes.”
Harleigh leans up on her elbow and smiles warmly. “We both know I’ve picked the right brother, Gio. I adore Lucca, in a brotherly way. I still plan on going to lunch with him tomorrow, but if that will cause you or him any issues, I can take off for lunch on my own.”
“Don’t be silly. I won’t have you avoiding my brother because of my father. Lucca needs someone like you in his life, too. I think our guardian angel sent you here. Not only for your own healing, but for mine and Lucca’s too.”
“Do you believe in fate?”
“I never used to, but this time, coincidences just don’t seem like enough.”
I tuck away a stray strand of hair that’s fallen out of her messy bun, and she lies back down on my chest. I tighten my grip around her, and we snuggle down into the cushions. I’ll have to thank my designer for these luxury couches, because I never thought I’d be sleeping on one.
“Sleep, babe. I’ve kept you up long enough.”
And if I have my way, I’ll be keeping her up late for her full holiday.
Chapter 18
Harleigh.
Sitting at the dressing table, tying my hair back off my face, I take in a deep breath. Giovani wants me to go to his house for breakfast with him, Lucca, and his parents. Lucca is making a feast and I can’t say no. According to Gio, showing his father that I won’t be scared away by him is the only way to get through to him. I don’t see why I have to show him anything, but I’ll do anything to keep Gio happy.
My phone rings on the bedside table. I jump up and notice it’s the unknown caller again. I sigh and answer, because I’m hoping that maybe one of these times it’s my brother calling from work and not just some strange caller.
“Hello?” The dead silence is starting to get on my nerves. “Eurgh!” I growl out my displeasure and end the call. I don’t even give a second chance to reply.
“Something wrong?” asks Gio from the bathroom doorway.
“Another silent call. My phone only usually rings for work and my family, but none of them come up as caller unknown. It’s annoying me.”
“Understandable. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
I nod in agreement. It’s just that anything unusual sets me on edge. I know nothing can happen to me here in Bulgaria, but my head takes a while to catch up to process my thoughts rationally.
“Are you ready?”
I nod and look down at my feet. Gio raises my chin to make me look him in the eye. It’s something I’m getting used to whenever he’s around.
“I don’t like when you feel on edge or insecure. But let me tell you something.” I look into Gio’s eyes and hold his gaze. The only people I usually give eye contact to are my students, because I don’t feel threatened around them. “You have nothing to feel insecure around me for. Lucca and I will never do anything to intentionally hurt you. I can promise you that.”
“I know. I never thought I’d be able to be this person around another man again, but you’ve given me hope, Gio. I feel like I’m ten feet tall around you. I have this confidence I’ve never had before, even before my ex.”
“And that’s the way it should be. No man should ever knock a woman off her pedestal. He should raise her higher, treat her like a goddess, bow to her feet.”
