Page 108 of Roman

I let out a dry chuckle. “Why is it that every other woman I ever met would jump all over the chance to never have to lift a finger again, yet you, my wife, are trying to find a way to go back to a life of drudgery?”

“It was hard at times,” she replied. “But it was the life I knew.”

I pressed her head to my shoulder, resting my chin on her fragrant hair. “Please try this new life before you reject it, Effie. For me.”

She was quiet for a moment before replying. “I will.”

“If one day you want, we can discuss opening a Bagels and Bites in the hotel,” I offered. “But in the future.”

“Oh,” she replied, beaming at me. “I love that idea.”

“But for now…”

She nodded. “I’ll stay at the estate.”

“Nonna is thrilled with the idea of your being there. Of my being around more. And it will be your home. Change it and make it yours. However it suits you.”

“But not your office or Nonna’s suite.”

“I might let you do something to my office, but yes, Nonna’s suite is to her taste.”

“I was thinking some lace curtains would be lovely in your office. Add a touch of whimsy.”

“I will whimsy you if you add lace in that room,” I growled, grinning when she laughed.

“Noted.”

I slid a finger under her chin and bent down, kissing her. “Thank you. I promise you, Effie. Life will be good with me.”

She smiled and leaned her head back to my shoulder, her gaze once again drifting to the window.

I hated that her eyes still held a trace of sadness.

And I hated that I hated that fact.

I left early for the casino, arriving and heading up to the suite. It felt odd to be there now without Effie. Her scent was still in the room, and I inhaled it into my lungs, the perfume making me feel better somehow. My closet looked empty without her things in it, and I had to remind myself they were all at the estate now. She wasn’t gone; she was at home. My home.

Our home.

The words felt strange, yet oddly right. Effie was my wife. She was at home waiting for me.

I shook my head at my peculiar thoughts and turned my mind to business.

I had only been away a short time, but I had a lot of messages and emails to catch up on. I walked the floor, spoke to managers, and was pleased at how well things had gone while I was out of town.

When I returned to the suite, Aldo was there. He shook my hand with a grin. “You look good, Roman.”

I sat down, reaching for the coffeepot. “I feel good. It was short, but we enjoyed the trip.”

“Effie well?”

“Of course.”

“So it was a good honeymoon.”

“I’ve had no experience with other honeymoons, but I would say it was a success.”

He nodded, looking away. He sat forward, leaning his elbows on his thighs. He had an odd look on his face, and I frowned.