She looks at me. "You threw up."
"People throw up all the time. I’m fine. Please, Val, trust me. I’m okay."
She nods. She’s not convinced, but she thankfully changes the subject. "Erin is coming tomorrow. She wants to do the book talk we keep postponing."
"Good," I say, genuinely excited. “I can’t wait and that means we can pick a new book.”
Val groans. "She's also going to make me finish the chapter I've been avoiding."
"Good. I told you, get through the next two chapters and you’ll not be able to stop."
"Easy for you to say, you're further ahead."
"Because I don't have to dissect the storyline every three pages."
Valentina grins. "That's the best part of the experience."
I shake my head. "It's called procrastinating.."
She laughs and steals the throw blanket from my end of the sofa and pulls it over the two of us, we settle into the sofa and start reading.
By late afternoon, I decide I've gone long enough without seeing my husband. I make coffee and take one cup for me and one for him. Lorenzo is in his study when I find him, which surprises absolutely nobody.
I put his coffee on the desk, and he pulls me into his lap. "You've been quiet today," he says, pressing a kiss to my temple.
I immediately know Vittoria told him something, the traitor.
"I'm always quiet."
"Not like this." His hand settles on my hip.
I stare at the papers spread across his desk. "I'm fine."
The silence that follows tells me he doesn't believe me. "Quinn."
I sigh. "I was just thinking."
"About?"
I hesitate, because it sounds ridiculous when I say it out loud. "Daire."
His entire body stills. "Daire?"
"And Frederick. I know they're not here, and I know they're not getting near me. I know all of that." I twist the coffee mug between my hands. "But they're still out there."
His hand moves soothingly down my back. He starts to rub circles that calm me instantly. "They won't be forever."
I lean back against him. "I know."
"You don't need to carry this by yourself."
I smile softly. "You sound like your dad."
A low laugh rumbles through his chest. "That's the most offensive thing you've ever said to me."
I laugh. God, I love when he’s so carefree around me. I love that he feels comfortable and at ease when he’s with me.
He presses a kiss to my temple and returns to whatever document he'd been reading. I sit there in his lap and turn my gaze out the windows. My mind reels with so many things. Daire, Frederick, Mam, Da, and even my brothers. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen them. I know they’re busy, but man, I miss them.
