“Oh, honey, just deny it. In any case, you’re innocent of all charges. This is all on me. It’s not the first time, so he might not even suspect you had anything to do with it.”
“You’ve stolen his plane before?”
She nods. “Mmhm.”
“With the woman you mentioned had stayed here before me?”
Val frowns. “Oh no, she wasn’t his girlfriend. Not even close.”
The knowledge that another woman wasn’t with him while she was here shouldn’t sit so well in my belly, but it settles like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter night. “I’m not his girlfriend either.”
“But you can be.”
“Val, listen, I know you’re trying to get away and live your life with the man of your choice, but I can’t be both your brother’s girlfriend and a governess for Leo. I want to keep my job. If I’m Alessio’s live-in hooker, I doubt I can keep my job as a governess.”
Val falls on the mattress, laughing. “Live-in hooker. Oh my God, Lake, you’re perfect.”
“It’s true.”
She sits back up, puts both hands on my shoulders, and squeezes again. “You’ll keep the job. Alessio can’t let you leave if I’m not around. He will keep you. Honestly, it’s up to you how much you want to get involved with Alessio at that point. But I’ll tell you something: if my brother wants you, he will have you, and if you give him a chance, he’ll drop his guard. I swear, you’ll never find a better man than him.” She hugs me. “I’m cheering for you, Lake.” She lifts the tank top strap that slid down her shoulder and moves toward the door. “As for Alessio, he needs to get laid on the regular. He really does.”
I rush after her. “Wait.”
At the door, she turns. “Yes?”
“Have fun.”
“Oh.” Her face glows up again. “Thanks, Lake. I will.”
TWELVE
WHEN ALESSIO STARTS COUNTING TO TEN
Lake
Since I’m returning to the guest house, I skip double- and triple-checking the rooms to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind. The old wheels of my suitcases rolling over the courtyard sound like a construction vehicle rolling over the pavement. I hurry inside, if only to roll the luggage over the smooth indoor floors and make less noise.
Leo’s missing from the breakfast nook. I move through the kitchen and find him sitting on the stairs.
He rises as I walk into the foyer. “Where…where is everyone going?”
The quivering chin tells me he’s trying to hold back tears. I have no idea if he remembers his mother, but if he does, she might’ve said goodbye orI’ll be right backand never returned. Moreover, he said “everyone,” which tells me that Val already quietly said goodbye to him before departing.
Before I answer Leo, I check to see if his uncle is within earshot.
Alessio’s not at the desk. He’s standing in front of a window, looking out at his front lawn, and, like Val said, he’s on the phone with someone.
I scurry over to his nephew and crouch in front of him with a finger over my lips. “Shhh, don’t tell your uncle, but I’m not going anywhere.”
Leo points at the suitcase. “What are these for, then?”
“It’s a hoax.”
“What is a hoax?”
“A funny lie. Deceptive but fun. A prank.”
Leo frowns. “But my uncle told me to say goodbye to you.”
