Max
Iwas trying to get through some final cramming-information-into-my-brain in when I heard Rian talking to Cindy in their room.
“Did you take that sock, Miss?”
I smiled.
“It’s not nice to steal—oh, we better go check up on Luca,” Rian spoke in a way that was partially absent, which told me he was sensing something through the bond he now shared with Luca.
I wasn’t sure what Luca was doing, but if he was upset enough for Rian to feel it on the second floor, it couldn’t be great.
My first instinct was to run after Rian, because Luca was mine now too—the thought made me blush, but I didn’t hate it—but I knew it was better to give them space. As the one who had turned Luca, Rian was especially close to him and sometimes that was the bond you needed instead of whatever fledgling thing Luca and I had.
Rian didn’t alert me, either, which could mean one of two things: either time was of the essence to get to Luca, or he didn’tthink it was something I could help with the way he could. It was a toss-up, really.
I got off the bed where I’d been studying and walked out of the room, even though I felt like running. I was still going to give them space, I just couldn’tnotgo.
Cindy chirped at me from the top of the stairs, and I scooped her up and put her on my shoulder. We went downstairs, and since I heard Luca and Rian murmuring in the kitchen, I walked over to the giant cat tree in the living room and let Cindy jump to her nest up top.
Then I finally went into the kitchen.
Rian was hugging Luca who sat on the window seat.
“We always knew this could happen,” Rian murmured. “But you can still visit Nonna.”
Luca sniffled. “I know.”
I rounded the island and the dining table, then scooped Luca up as soon as Rian stepped back.
Luca yelped, then smiled as I carried him to the couch. He put his head on my shoulder and sighed. Rian gestured toward the laundry room and I nodded.
I took my precious cargo to the couch and sat in the corner, then let him readjust to straddle my body. I pulled a fleece blanket to cover us, and he relaxed with a sigh.
“Your mom?” I made an educated guess.
“Yeah.”
“I’m so sorry, darling.”
He tensed ever so slightly, then relaxed again. “That’s the first time you’ve called me that.”
“Huh? Oh.” I flushed a little.
“I liked it.”
“Good to know.”
We just sat there, soaking in the closeness and comfort, both physical and emotional.
Eventually, Luca sighed. “I think I’ll be okay. But I want to visit Nonna when I go to New York next month.”
“Oh, has that been decided?” I asked, because last I knew, there hadn’t been a set time.
“Uh-huh, the week after Valentine’s. It’s likely going to be a Wednesday when the press conference is held.”
“Well I’ll be done with school by then, and I’m sure Ben will gladly take time off work.”
He lifted his face from my neck and frowned. “What?”
