It smells divine. The ginger soothes me just from the scent, and I appreciate the pieces of actual ginger in the mug.
"Thank you. How did you know?"
"Lyndall was worried when we left. She said something about you being... And you have a glow. Like his mother did." He shrugs and paces the room. "This place is like a damn hotel. Whatever you need, they have."
I suck in a breath.
I know I need to say something.
"T-thanks for helping Enzo save me," I say, sounding awkward.
The unspoken words hang in the room like a dark cloud.
The fact that he hates me by proxy. The fact that his daughter is really my father's.
As I glance at the proud, hard man, I get how humiliating it must have been. To pretend.
"It was nothing." He stops, pretending to study a painting on the wall as he bounces on his toes. "That fuck didn't touch you or Lyndall, did he?"
"No—"
He turns, eyes like Enzo's burning into me. "Lourdes. Lola... I'm sorry for being such an asshole to you. What happened between me and your father had nothing to do with you. And I know it was wrong of me to take my issues out on you. If someone did that to my kid, they'd be six feet under. So, my apologies. He might have fathered her, but I'm the man who loves her. She is my daughter. I'm just...not good with girls."
He breathes out, sweating slightly.
"Thanks. But maybe...maybe the person you should be speaking to is Lyndall." I take a sip of the hot tea.
Before he can answer, Enzo wheels Lyndall in.
"She needs a little time here, then she can go home. As can you." He looks between me and his father. "All okay, Lola?"
"Yes. He got me tea." I show Enzo.
Lyndall scowls at Mario. "I don't know what to call you."
"Whatever you want. Dad is fine, but..."
She sniffs and rolls her eyes.
Mario looks at Enzo. "I can stay, drive her home. I just..." He again paces. Then he stops and turns. "I just think we need to talk, me and Lyndall."
Enzo shrugs. "Up to you, kid."
She lets out a hearty sigh and then a yawn. "I need a rest, but yeah...it's okay. I think we do need to talk."
"Well, Lola, I should get you home. Get you settled." Enzo kisses my nose and wraps an arm around me.
We make our goodbyes and leave, walking down the hall.
Enzo pulls me closer.
"Enzo..."
"I'll get you settled, pampered, and then... we should probably talk too."
"I think so." I move a little closer to him.
Maybe I should still be angry with him, and I might find that I am a little, down the track or tomorrow. But it's I can handle it because I understand him. And I get why he wanted to talk to his sister first.
