Page 48 of Body of Trust

I never thought of my parents as antiquated thinkers. Clearly, I was wrong.

I’m a grown woman who honors her parents, yet I refuse to allow them to choose who I’ll spend my forever with.

Mom grabs my and Gia’s hands and gives them a squeeze. Her eyes mist over as she looks at us lovingly. “I’m so happy we were able to do this. I needed my girls tonight. This was very good.”

She kisses both our knuckles, and I decide this isn’t the time to argue.

“We’re happy you’re happy,” I state, and she raises her hand to my cheek.

After dinner, my mother talks for ten minutes about how unhappy she is that I’m not going back with her. I win over her approval by saying that I’ll be over for dinner on Sunday.

We get in our cars—after I check the back seat of mine—and drive away. They drive to my parents’ house while I circle the block and return to Villa Russo.

“Back so soon?” the attendant says.

“Forgot something inside.”

I walk in and head to the bar. Jesse doesn’t seem surprised to see me. In fact, he doesn’t acknowledge me at all.

I use the restroom and then bide my time, talking with friends of my parents who were on their way out. We chat in the lobby for a while. When they leave, I make a show of looking for my phone that I swear I lost.

When the last of the dining room has emptied, I realize the club must be closing soon, so I head to my car.

“Find your phone?” the attendant asks.

I open my bag and take it out. “Turns out, it was with me the whole time.”

He laughs. “Well, I guess that’s a good thing. Drive safely.”

I drive away from the club, toward my building, but I don’t pull into the parking lot. I circle the neighborhood, not wanting to get out alone.

On my third pass by my building, I see Jesse’s car. I pull into the lot and watch as he tucks his into a shadowy corner.

I get out and walk inside, heading straight for the service entrance near the dumpsters.

He’s not inside the back door a second before I throw my arms around him.

“What’s this for?” he asks as he wraps his own around me.

“I just realized how much better I feel when you’re around.” I run my hand over his jaw. “I feel safe when you’re with me.”

A small smile tugs at his lips. “Let’s get you upstairs.”

His duffel bag is in one hand with my hand in his other as we ride the freight elevator. In my apartment, he sweeps the rooms, and then we relax.

We’re just standing here, in my living room. Me in my fancy dress and him in his uniform. I smile. By the look in his eyes, I know he’s wondering why I’m smiling.

“We look like we’re going to a funeral.”

He glances down. “Or we’re spies.”

I let out a laugh. “That too.” I motion to his bag. “I guess you’re having a sleepover.”

He tucks a hand in his pocket and looks up through his lashes. “I thought that was implied. I’m not leaving you.”

“I don’t want you to.”

With a puff of air through his lips, he nods and tucks a stray hair behind my ear. “I can sleep on the couch.”