A flicker of guilt shadows her face as I praise her.
“I can’t take credit for that,” she confesses. “The only thing I did was set up your referral to the psychologist.”
“What do you mean?” I frown. “You got Beppe for me.”
She worries her lip between her teeth for a second before she sighs. “Can you keep a secret if I tell you?”
“Of course.”
“It was Romeo’s idea.”
My heart feels like it drops out of my chest as I try to make sense of that, but I can’t.
“I don’t understand.”
“He thought an ESA would be good for you,” Mariella explains. “He was the one who found Beppe. He even kept him in his wing for three months so he could train him before I gave him to you.”
“But why would he do that?” I choke out. “He barely even talked to me back then.”
“Just because he wasn’t talking to you doesn’t mean he wasn’t paying attention.” Mariella offers me a gentle smile. “Romeo observes everything and misses nothing.”
I blink rapidly, trying to dispel the surge of emotion behind my eyes.
“Shit, Gabi.” Mariella winces. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’ve just been really emotional lately. Can you give me a few minutes? I just need to go to the bathroom.”
She nods in understanding, not pushing me to explain further.
“I’ll be here when you get back.”
I scoop Beppe up and carry him down the hall to the library. I don’t really need to use the bathroom, but I do need to cry in peace.
As soon as I close the door behind me, I sink into one of the reading chairs and let it all out as Beppe does his best to comfort me.
I don’t know why the thought of Romeo doing something nice for me feels like pure agony, but it does. Maybe because it challenges everything I thought I knew. Or maybe beneath the broody, sarcastic exterior, he’s still the same person he’s always been.
When I think of the way Eros set up my workspace, I can’t help but compare the two. And the longer I sit with it, the more that question lingers.
Realistically, I could just go ask Abella right now and find out the truth. But I don’t want her to witness the emotions on my face when she confirms or denies it.
A different idea takes shape as I study the spiral staircase that leads to the lower level. This one exits near the central courtyard, and it would give me a straight shot to Romeo’s wing.
Abella said they were gone, and now that the thought has entered my mind, I can’t seem to talk myself out of it.
I descend the stairs and move through the house quietly. I haven’t been to Romeo’s wing in years, and I’m not even sure it will be unlocked. But when I reach the door, it opens without resistance.
The space is dark, and my heart races as I slip inside. The motion-activated lights startle me, but when I glance down, I realize they line the base of the walls. As I continue down the hallway, passing the kitchen and living area, they light my path all the way to the primary suite.
I open his door, bracing for him to jump out and scare me, but he doesn’t. The room is quiet and dark, and when I step inside, I have no choice but to turn on the light. I don’t know how much time I have to look around, or what I’m even looking for exactly, but I feel like I have to do this.
I set Beppe down and let him explore the space on his own while I glance around.
The first thing I notice is a black hoodie draped across the end of the bed, so I grab it and bring it to my nose to inhale, feeling slightly unhinged.
It smells clean, with no discernible notes, so I think it’s just been washed.
I return the hoodie to the bed and wander over to his desk. The computer isn’t currently turned on, and I don’t bother since I know I wouldn’t have a chance of getting into it. But I try to open each of the desk drawers, only to find they’re all locked.
