“Thanks, babe. How were your clients?” she asked, watching him move to put everything in the correct spot.
“The usual. How was the appointment you went to?”
Eri took his hand and pulled him over to the couch. “It was fine. I went to see my therapist.”
She hadn’t told him the type of appointment she was going to initially, but there was no point in keeping something like thatto herself. He was privy to the worst thing in her life that had happened to her, and there was no shame in going to therapy.
“I’ve been going to see her since the assault. I told her about running into Keith and how it surprised me because he wasn’t supposed to be released yet. How, I was afraid, but also knew I was safe because you were there with me.”
“You’re always safe with me. I mean it,” he replied.
“I know,” Eri responded.
There had never been a time when she had felt unsafe with him, even before they began dating. Eri had always felt something from him that told her it didn’t matter the circumstance, he would protect her.
He stared into her eyes, and she always felt so at peace looking into his. Like she was floating in the cosmos and nothing could touch her. Nothing but bliss could reach her. It always made her feel so soft and cherished.
“Keep looking at me like that and I promise I’ll never give you a reason not to,” he told her.
“Like what?” Eri asked, unsure of how she was looking at him.
He leaned down and spoke against her lips. “Like you love me,” he told her before kissing her. It was gentle and ended far too quickly, so he could add, “Like you know, I love you.”
Eri’s breath hitched because he wasn’t wrong. She did, and if his previous actions hadn’t been telling her he did, then protecting her the way he had sure shone a light.
“Because I do,” she responded. “I love you.”
“Ti amo,” he responded, and she pulled him down into another kiss as those butterflies that resided in her stomach only for him took flight and multiplied at an alarming rate.
33
Eri sat at the table with Avian, Lucy, and Lorna, waiting for their lunch to be delivered. They’d rescheduled after the incident, waiting for her to feel better. Both older women thought she’d been sick, and she was grateful they hadn’t asked her anything other than whether she felt better when they’d picked her up half an hour ago. She didn’t think that lying to her boyfriend’s mom would be a good way to jumpstart their bonding experience, had she asked for details.
“Avian, how has work been?” Lorna asked.
“It’s good, Mamma. I’ve added two extra classes since I have the time now.”
Eri always thought it was so cute the way Avian referred to Lorna as mom, and how the older woman seemed to light up at the word. Matteo often joked that Lorna wanted a daughter, and she constantly proved him right. She was grateful for the relationship her friend had with her mother-in-law. Especially since her mother was such a headache to deal with.
“What about you, Eri?” Lucy asked. “I remember you saying at the graduation lunch that you were job searching. How is that going?”
“I’m doing some freelance work. I’ve posted on a few sites and found minor jobs from them. But I signed a contract with a large content creator for the next few years. I originally wanted to work for a company because I wasn’t sure if branching out on my own to start was a good idea, but I’ve decided it is. It’ll take alittle while to get things off the ground, but I’m willing to put the work in.”
“Congratulations on the contract,” Lucy replied. “I’m sure that will help get you more exposure and aid in starting your own business.”
“I agree,” Avian added. “Koa’s one of the largest creators, and working with her will put hundreds of millions of eyes on your designs.”
“She’s that big?” Lorna asked. Eri and Avian both nodded. “Then I’m sure you’ll have a list of clients in no time. I saw the designs you made for the tattoo event. They were wonderful.”
“They really were,” Lucy agreed. “I know the city takes bids at the beginning of each year for designers and banner creators for festivals. It might be something worth looking into.”
Eri hadn’t thought about that. She assumed they used the same person or company each year, but it was something for her to look into.
There was a lull in the conversation as their server brought their food. Once they were alone again, Lorna continued their conversation.
“We’re having Labor Day at our house this year. Be sure to tell Michael, Avian. If you want, you can extend an invitation to your mom. Eri, invite your dad if he’s available.”
“I’ll call him this evening and let him know so he can make plans to come if he wants,” Eri replied.
