Page 274 of Valentino

“You know, like get this show on the road.” She keeps folding. “Only it’s not a show, it’s our life.”

“Right….” I’m confused. “What’s brought this on?”

She throws another pile into the suitcase. “I just love you, that’s all.”

I break into a smile; there is nothing that’s all about it.

“I want to move home where it’s safe for you and start our new life together.”

Where it’s safe.

“This is about the commissioner last night?” I sit on the side of the bed and rest my elbows into my knees.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be in Rome. I know that it’s not going to end well for one of you.”

It won’t be me.

“Okay….” I watch her continue to frantically pack. “You don’t have to worry about Mauro.”

She keeps folding.

“What about your job?” I ask, “You love that job.”

“I do.” Another pile dumped into the suitcase. “But I love you more.”

“You’re leaving your job?” I frown. “That’s a tad drastic, don’t you think? We talked about this and I decided that I don’t want you to have to give up anything to be with me.”

“Well.” She shrugs. “I’ve already given up the only thing that means anything…so….”

“Like what?’

Her eyes rise to meet mine. “Freedom.”

Fuck’s sake.

I drag my hand down my face, I don’t need this bullshit today. “You’re not leaving your job, you love it, Anna.”

“You said it’s a logistical nightmare for me to travel?”

“That I’m prepared to take.” I exhale and look over at her. “You probably just need a good fucking.”

“No,” she snaps. “You need to help me pack.”

“Alright.” I bend down and pick up the yeti suit and hurl it out the bedroom door. “This…can stay here.”

“But what if we go to the snow?”

“We aren’t going to the snow.”

“What if we do?”

“Then surely you will buy something more human, less abominable snowman.”

She gets up and snatches it up from the hallway floor. “Don’t tell me what to wear.”

I raise my eyebrow.

“Unless it’s to tell me to take something off. The bedroom is the only time and place you’re allowed to tell me what to wear.”