Nodding, I laugh. It’s so typical of her.
“Yeah, Mom,” Ethan adds. “Don’t worry about us. You deserve this more than anyone. We’re doing fine here. Just have a good time over there.”
“You guys are the best,” I tell them, my throat tightening. “But if either of you needs me, I’ll be on a plane in a heartbeat.”
Alicia rolls her eyes for even suggesting it, telling me to stop acting like they’re going to fall apart without me. Ethan jumps in right away to ask if she’s at least keeping her room clean now that no one’s around to nag her. She groans and tells him to go design a skyscraper.
My stomach hurts from laughing so hard.
We keep talking for a little while longer, until my phone is warm in my hand and my heart feels impossibly full. WhenI finally hang up—sending blown kisses and exaggerated hugs through the screen—I sit there smiling at nothing.
After a beat, I take a deep breath.Now comes the hard part.
Choosing a regular call, I bring the phone to my ear. He answers on the third ring.
“Hi, Cecily.”
He sounds flat, his voice hollow in a way I’ve heard way too many times.
“Hi, Colin. Can you talk?”
“Did something happen?” The worry in his voice seems to take the edge off his icy tone.
Looking out the window at the dark, I keep my voice level. “No. Nothing serious. I already talked to the kids, and I wanted to let you know too... I’m staying in Italy a little longer.”
He doesn’t say anything at first, and when he finally speaks, his voice sounds weary and even colder. “I understand.”
“I wanted to see if it’s okay for Alicia to stay with you for another week. I’m sure Felicity wouldn’t mind helping if—”
“No. There’s no need to involve Felicity,” he says, his voice harsh now. “I like having my daughter with me. Stay as long as you want.”
“Alright. If you need anything for Alicia... just call me.”
“Goodbye, Cecily.”
The call ends before I can return it. I lower the phone and stare at the dark screen.
Locking it, I decide that I won’t let his reactions steal anything else from me. I slide the phone into my pocket and stand.
The house is quiet when I go looking for Alexander—first his office, then the kitchen—both empty.
Remembering where I found him the other night with Sam, I slide the glass door open and step into the cool night, seeing him there in the garden with his back to the house. His handsare tucked into his pockets, his head tilted as he studies the vast Tuscan sky full of stars.
He hears my footsteps and turns as I walk toward him, and I press myself into his chest, my arms sliding around his waist.
“How did the call go?” he asks, his lips touching my temple.
“The kids are good,” I tell him, lifting my face to his. “They’re happy for me. They told me to enjoy myself.”
“Your children adore you,” he murmurs with a smile. “Of course they want your happiness.”
He kisses my forehead, my nose, and then my mouth… softly. Holding me even tighter, he pulls me in, and I just melt into him.
We stay out there for a long time, just listening to the wind in the trees and taking in the olive groves lit up by the moon.
When the chill finally starts to get to us, he laces his fingers through mine and leads me back inside His mouth stays on my neck as we head up the stairs, his teeth nipping at my earlobe.
He whispers things in my ear that make my heart race and my breath catch. They’re promises full of hunger and devotion, all of them sealed with his mouth on my skin.
