“I miss Declan and the kids, but I don’t want to leave tomorrow.” Lily sighs, taking a bite of bruschetta, the toppings falling to her plate.
The country restaurant we’ve been frequenting this week is small and honest. I love it here. Winter is not really the time to visit Tuscany, but in many ways, it’s better.
No crowds. It’s like the estate and its surroundings belong to us only. I’ve found some peace here.
“I think I’m going to stay here longer.”
Am I? I didn’t plan on it, but as soon as the words are out, they feel right. More right than anything else in my life lately.
Perhaps the lingering hurt, the humming void, thesilent regret will fade faster if I stay here. Maybe I can find a way to stay here for part of the year. The idea, while unbidden, grows so quickly that a flicker of excitement ignites for the first time in months.
Saar, Celeste, and Lily all stop eating and stare at me.
“I’ll check with my producer. I’m sure I don’t have to return for a few more days.” Saar speaks first.
“No. You all have been wonderful staying here with me. It’s been the best distraction. But I think I can stay alone. I should stay alone. Would you mind putting me in touch with the estate owner, so I can extend my stay?”
“You’re serious?” Celeste asks, stroking Amelie’s back as the baby sleeps in her arms.
“Yes, I’ll look for something more affordable, of course. The place is enormous, but I need to extend for at least a few nights.”
The girls exchange a look.
“Come on, I’m an adult,” I argue. “I can stay by myself in a foreign country. I promise I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Lily looks away. Saar grimaces, and Celeste kisses her baby’s head, avoiding eye contact.
“What is going on?” I frown.
“The estate… it’s Xander’s.” Saar scrunches her face like the words hurt her.
I blink. “What?”
“Don’t get upset, but coming here was his idea.”
“His idea?” I throw the napkin on the table. “Of course he knows better what I need.” The shitty part is, he was right. “I can’t believe you. Whose side are you on?”
“Always on yours, Cora,” Celeste says.
“He hurt you; the least he could do is to pay for your rebound getaway.” Saar reaches over the table, squeezing my hand.
“Rebound?”
“Okay, wrong choice of words.”
“We’ve been avoiding the elephant in the room, but you’re hurt; he’s hurt. Are you sure there is no way the two of you can get past the betrayal?” Lily asks.
The answer should be unequivocal and automatic, but the denial gets stuck in my throat and doesn’t come out.
“None of our relationships started with love,” Celeste says.
“He betrayed you,” Saar adds. “He tricked you, but can you honestly say that what followed was a lie?”
“So you’re on his side!”
“He made a mistake, and he’s paying for it. You forgave your father. Ethan and your father are prime examples of multiple shades to every story. You’refocusing only on the dark side of yours and Xander’s.” Saar gives me a sad smile.
“You think I should give him a chance?”
