“Bullshit. This morning you gave me your two weeks’ notice because you were going to move to Canada to be with Ciro. This is about you too.”
“I withdraw my resignation.” The words came out ontheir own. Everything with Ciro was happening too fast. He’d possessed me as always, told me everything I longed to hear. He’d given me false hope.
How could I be so stupid to let him call all the shots and have sex with him?
Because you love him. And you’re weak around him.
Yes, exactly.I’m so pathetic.
“You’re overreacting.” Falina stared at me with a look of concern. “Just take a breath.”
I was glad this conversation was happening. Talking about Ciro and what happened in the last two days helped me process.
“No. I’m being realistic. Just because we have a baby together doesn’t mean we’ll work as a couple.” My phone buzzed in my pocket. Damn it all to hell. My heart rate spiked.
Falina smiled broadly. “Maybe that’s him calling now.” Her excitement was cute, but it didn’t match her previous words about not letting him fall back into his old ways.
I scoffed, taking my cell phone out of my pocket. “Doubt it.” I didn’t recognize the number, but I knew the area code was from Canada. Maybe Cirowasfinally calling… “Hello,” I answered in an irritated tone.
“Isla, dear, how are you?”
Rosa?
My legs wobbled and I sat on the bench beside the lockers.
“It’s Rosa … Ciro’s sister.”
“I didn’t expect to?—”
“Ciro didn’t tell you I’d be calling?” she asked with a hint of embarrassment in her voice.
“No, he didn’t.” Because I haven’t heard from him inalmost twenty-four hours. I shouldn’t be surprised Rosa called. She was a wonderful, loving woman. She cared about me and would want to know her niece.
Why in the hell hadn’t Ciro given me a heads-up?The jerk.
“Well, let’s not talk about him. How are you and the baby?” she asked.
“We’re fine.” I inhaled and exhaled a cleansing breath. “Rosa, I’m so sorry.”
“Please don’t apologize. Let’s just move forward from here. Ciro showed us pictures of Penelope. She’s beautiful, Isla. Absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you. She’s absolutely wonderful.” My little lovebug was the best part of my life. Whether Ciro and I ended up together or not, I would never regret having my baby girl.
“I can’t wait to meet her. I understand you’re coming out for a couple of weeks,” Rosa said as if the plans were written in stone.
Foronlya couple of weeks? Like a vacation, not permanently?
“Um…” My stomach twisted into knots. I was wholly unprepared for this call. How could Ciro do this to me? I was glad to know what he’d told his family. He didn’t want me and the baby to live with him.
“We can’t wait for the two of you to come. I’ll have everything set up for Penelope in the guest wing.”
“I appreciate that, but she doesn’t need much.” Tears burned behind my eyes as the realization hit me. Ciro hadn’t called because he didn’t know how to tell me we’d only be guests in his home. What an asshole for making Rosa do his bidding.
“Don’t be silly. I’m going to love shopping for my niece. Oh, I love the sound of that. I’m a zia, an auntie! What size does she wear? I have so much to make up for.” Rosa laughed sweetly. I adored hearing the delight in her voice.
“Six months. But, please, she doesn’t need much.”
“Six months? I thought Ciro said she was seven months old. My brothers and I were all big babies. I would’ve thought she’d be in nine to twelve months.”
