Whatever Valentino had been expecting it hadn’t been this, and confronted with her emotional state, he felt at a loss. ‘Hey,’ he crooned, stepping forward and putting his arm around her shoulders. ‘It’s going to be okay.’
He’d taken her assurances about her cycle and fertility on face value that night they’d thrown caution to the wind and, asthe weeks had passed with no news and the demands of getting up to speed with his new job, it had slipped from his brain.
But it was very much at the forefront now.
Peyton shrugged his arm away and took a step back. ‘Don’t touch me,’ she half snapped, half sobbed as she wiped at her face with the heels of her palms. ‘That’s what got us into this mess in the first place.’
‘It’s not a mess,’ he said gently. ‘I’m really okay with this.’
She stared at him like he’d grown a second head. ‘How lovely for you,’ she said, her voice drenched in sarcasm.
‘I’m just saying?—’
‘Do me a favour,’ she interrupted. ‘Don’t say anything, okay?’
Valentino wisely followed her advice, standing silently, his fists curled by his sides while tears poured down her face. He wanted to draw her into his arms but heknewshe’d not welcome his comfort right now. She was in shock and she needed a little time to wrap her head around it, and that he understood.
Prior to Peyton, he’d have needed time, too. Ever since his ex-fiancée – Daniella – had come into his hospital half-dead from a botched back-yard abortion, he’d sworn off wanting anything to do with a baby.
A relationship. A family.
In fact, since then he’d takeneveryprecaution to avoid it – except that one time with Peyton. And whether it was his Italian pride or his legendary uncle status, he could finally admit what he’d always known deep down – hewantedto be a father.
And he would move heaven and earth to make sure this child,hischild, had everything it ever wanted.
‘How can you be so calm?’ she demanded suddenly, glaring at him.
Her cheeks were flushed and blotchy and her nose was runny, and she’d never looked so goddamn beautiful, this woman – the mother of his child.
Valentino smiled gently, knowing she was struggling even if he didn’t fully understand why. ‘I’m sorry but… I’m pleased.’
She shook her head at him, her stormy grey eyes bugging. ‘Why did you have to come along and ruin everything? I was perfectly happy the way I was.’
Valentino was prepared to talk about their situation, he was even prepared to argue and to cope with more tears, but he wouldn’t sit here and listen to her lie to herself. If this wasn’t a time for honesty then when was? ‘I think we both know that’s not true.’
She choked on a sob, staring at him incredulously. ‘Are you calling me a liar?’
‘I’m calling it like I see it, Peyton.’
Her lips twisted into a bitter grimace. ‘Oh? And what do you see?’
‘I see a woman whose world was torn apart three years ago. A woman who’s been going through the motions ever since, doing what needs to be done for her daughter but neglecting herself. Not getting any enjoyment out of life. I see someone who’s physically and emotionally starving.’
‘I’m eating,’ she snapped, completely ignoring his whole point.
‘Great. So your stomach is full but what fills your emotional well, Peyton?’
‘What? That doesn’t matter,’ she said dismissively.
Valentino snorted. ‘Of course it does.’
‘Okay then – what fills yours?’
‘Vivaldi.’ It was sterner than he had meant it to come out but her stonewalling, her blindness where her needs were concerned, was frustrating in the extreme. He continued in a gentler tone. ‘A hand-written, hand-stamped letter from my mother. The first time a patient hears sound. Children laughing.Bruschetta. The way a woman’s waist curves out to her hip.Swan Lake.’
‘You think I have time for ballet?’ she asked incredulously.
‘Peyton.’ Valentino forced himself to keep his tone even. Reasonable. It broke his goddamn heart that she was sodepleted, and he wanted to help turn that around. ‘The point is I can take enjoyment from the world around me. When was the last time you did that? When was the last time you rejoiced in being alive?’
