“Oh.”
“Short for Aurora.” The name Aurora, I’d known. “My hands are full. Would you text her back for me?”
Touched by the intimate offer, I tapped onto the message. Though I tried not to read their other texts, I did notice Stan’s meme game was strong and that Rory appeared to have little patience for them.
“What should I say?”
“Just tell her ‘thank you.’”
When I did as requested, we received another message.
Rory: Where are the ten million emojis?
Stan: Kitty is typing the message for me
Rory: You gave her your phone?
I tilted my head to the side in silent query.
“Tell her, ‘I gave her my heart. So what’s my phone?’”
The pink on my cheeks blazed hotter than ever.
“You really want me to type that?”
“I really do.”
Rory: God, I’m surrounded by saps
An unexpected chuckle burst from me. I didn’t mind that it hurt my ribs. “I think I’d like her.”
“You’ll find out soon enough. She’s in Vegas right now, but she’ll be home shortly.”
“Because of tonight?”
“Se.”
“She’ll be at your home in Brooklyn?”
“Yes. But if you don’t want to hear any business talk, I’ll have us convene at my…”
When he broke off, I sighed. “You can say it.”
“No. I don’t want to. It isn’t my home anymore.”
When I thought about how impersonal the place was, I just remarked, “It could be nice,” which earned me a snort.
“If you say so.”
“I don’t like to be afraid of anything, Stan. If I’m frightened, I face it. That’s why I was on a plane to Cancún. If you let fear grow, it’ll choke you, and I can’t afford that.”
“I want to tell you that you don’t have to be afraid of anything. That I’ll protect you. But tonight’s proved otherwise?—”
“Shut up. I knew you’d come for me, Stan. I knew it. I swear. It’s what kept me going. But I don’t wait for anyone to fix my messes. You told me someone would come with food. Someone did. I should never have let that bastard near me?—”
“You were somewhere that should’ve been safe. In the future, it will be.” Underneath me, he turned to stone, and I knew if I could see his expression, his fury would be clear. “What happened,duci?”
“He shocked me because he walked in. I-I thought he must need you for something. I know with Lucas… he has access to Aidan O’Donnelly Jr.’s home. In an emergency, he’d go into their bedroom, so I…”
