I nod and pick up my fork.
The first bite nearly makes me close my eyes. The sauce is rich and smooth. The tomatoes, basil, and all the care he put into it make this feel like the best comfort food in the world. It’s not the first time he’s cooked for me, and I’m already dangerously spoiled.
Wanting to tease him, I say, “Wedid a great job... but I think we both know it wasmyspecial touch that made the sauce this good.”
He cocks an eyebrow, then lifts his glass. “To your special touch,” he says, before leaning in to steal a quick kiss.
Dinner passes between bites and stolen touches, his hand covering mine across the table while we share things we haven’t told each other before. It’s in this easy comfort that I find my courage.
Taking a breath, I set my fork down and say, “I was thinking... I only have four days left here before I have to fly home.”
Alexander’s hand tightens around mine.
“Maybe I could stay a little longer... I was thinking about changing my flight.”
His gaze stays on mine, but he doesn’t say a word. Alexander sets his wineglass back on the table, and I can’t read a single thing in his expression.
A few seconds go by, and I’m already wondering if I overstepped.
“No,” he says, and my heart sinks at the word.
I’m about to tell him it’s fine, that I get it, that it was just a thought…
But then his chair scrapes across the floor as he pulls me right onto his lap. “You don’t need to change your flight, Cecilia.”
One hand wraps around the back of my neck, his thumb tilting my jaw up. When I really look at him, I can tell he’s fighting a smile.
“Stay as many days as you want,” he murmurs. “Stayforever, if you like.” His thumb traces my jaw. “When you’re ready to go back, I’ll take care of it. The company jet will be waiting.”
“Alexander—”
He shakes his head. “I wanted to offer this from the start, the moment you told me about your trip. I just knew you wouldn’t accept.”
He nuzzles my nose and murmurs, “Let me do this for you.”
I don’t even have to think before I say, “Thank you.”
Then he kisses me, like we have all the time in the world.
I return to my seat, and the rest of dinner passes in a soft daze of happiness and relief. When we’re done, we clean the kitchen together, moving around each other with an easy rhythm I’m already getting attached to.
Checking my phone, I realize it’s almost time for my call with the kids. I tell Alexander and give him a quick kiss before heading to the living room where the Wi-Fi is better, curling up on the couch.
A flutter of anxiety stirs in my chest as I start the group call.
Ethan picks up first. He’s on the couch in the living room of the apartment he shares with his friends. He looks like he just woke up from a nap, his hair sticking up everywhere while he tries to get his eyes to focus.
A second later, the screen splits and Alicia pops up with a huge grin, her bedroom at her dad’s house in the background.
“Mom!” she says, waving at the camera. “I saw this video of a place in Rome today you have to visit!”
“Hey, Mom,” Ethan says, rubbing his eyes and smiling. “Looks like Italy is treating you well. You look... happy.”
Listening to them talk, I catch up on all the little, everyday details. Ethan tells me about some project he has to turn in next week, going on about requirements I don’t really get. Alicia starts talking a mile a minute about a movie she’s seeing tomorrow with Felicity’s kids.
Loving them this much almost hurts while I’m away like this, but seeing them happy wipes out any lingering guilt. When I finally tell them I’m staying in Italy a little longer and give them a date for when I’ll be back, I’m ready for them to be worried or have a million questions. Instead, all I get is their support.
“Seriously? That’s amazing, Mom!” Alicia squeals. “But youhaveto use the extra time to buy those boots I sent you the link for. I miss you, okay?”
