Something in her words strikes a familiar chord in my chest: admiration. I can respect someone who thinks like this just as much as I can respect a mother who chooses to sacrifice for her child.
“You graduated in nursing, right?”
“She really toldeveryonein Khione about that, didn’t she?” Nina asks, practically huffing.
“You just said she did everything she could. It’s natural she’s proud you achieved what she dreamed for you.”
I pause.
“I’m sure that regardless of your plans, that’s the only repayment she truly wants.”
“Well, it’s not enough,” she says firmly. “And yes. I graduated in nursing.”
“The island’s hospital belongs to my family, you know? I could—”
“No!” she interrupts, almost desperate—and if I thought she was firm before, I don’t know a word strong enough to describewhat she is now. “I really appreciate the offer, but I already have a plan for that too.”
I nod, finding yet another reason to respect her.
“La proposta è a tua disposizione,” I say.
Her brows lift.
“You speak Italian?”
“It’s actually a funny story. But yes—I do. Drako, Apollo, and Atlas do too.”
Her eyes narrow when I don’t continue, telling me I’ll need to.
“A few years ago, an Italian woman moved to the island. Apollo decided he needed to date her—and when she didn’t fall for his smile and terrible jokes like he’s used to, he decided becoming her student was the best way to get closer.”
“Oh my God!” she exclaims, laughing.
“The problem,” I continue, “is that she only taught groups of more than three students. He forced all of us to enroll.”
Nina throws her head back, laughing.
“And it gets worse,” I add. “Some time later, the woman’s boyfriend arrived in Khione. Turns out she’d been in a long-distance relationship. When Apollo realized she’d never fall for his charm, he wanted to quit the lessons.”
“But you didn’t let him, did you?”
“Of course not. Miss the chance to make him taste his own poison? Never.”
I smile.
“Two years of intensive classes, putting up with a sulky Apollo in all of them—but we all became fluent.”
“Molto bene,” she says, clapping her hands together. “What is it? Am I beautiful?” she asks playfully after I spend too long just staring at her.
I smile back.
“You’re very far away,” I say, reaching for her hand in a silent request.
Nina arches a brow.
“I don’t think so.”
She brushes her knee against my leg as if that’s proof enough.
