"Safe," he agreed.
Later, wrapped in soft towels and lying in our bed, I stretched against him completely exhausted again.
I yawned, "God, I'm tired."
"Sleep. Everything else can wait until tomorrow."
I wanted to argue. Wanted to keep planning, keep preparing for whatever came next. But my eyes were already closing, my body surrendering to exhaustion. The last thing I felt was Dez's arm around me, solid and protective. The last thing I heard was his voice, quiet in the darkness.
"I've got you, Angelina. Always."
And I believed him.
Angelina
The next day, my phone buzzed with a group text while I was trying to work through Castellano & Co. emails at the kitchen table. Dez had offered his office, but the sun was brighter in here.
THE GIRLIES
Charmaine: Girl, are you still in Greece? Tell us you're living your best life right now
Karla: She's definitely bent up like a pretzel somewhere. Dez does NOT look like he holds back
Lisa: KARLA
Imani: She's not wrong though
Had to end the honeymoon early. Work emergency. Back in Seattle.
Charmaine: WHAT? Everything okay?
Karla: Is it your uncle? I will fight him myself
Lisa: We all will
Imani: Say the word and we’ll take care of him
The loyalty made my chest tight. These women had barely been back in my life for a week and they were already ready to go to war for me.
Uncle situation is handled. For now. But Dez had to go deal with some family business today and I'm bored out of my mind.
Charmaine: Lunch. Today. No arguments.
Lisa: I'm in Seattle for a conference anyway. Perfect timing.
Karla: I can move my afternoon appointments.
Imani: Already looking at flights. I can be there by one.
Angelina: You guys don't have to do that
Charmaine: LUNCH. TODAY. Send us the address of a good spot and we'll meet you there.
I smiled, warmth spreading through my chest.
Okay. Okay. There's a great Italian place in Capitol Hill. Salvatores. 1 PM?
Imani: See you there
