“Alessandro.”
“We were doing so good for, like, three or four days. She was playing with the kids, we were having family meals, we were reminiscing about good times, and then all of a sudden, you fly off the handle and treat us like we’re the ones that did this shit. We didn’t do it!”
“Sandro. St—”
“All I wanted was some time to be with her with all of you guys and be normal for a little bit. Would it have been so hard for you to take that shit to your office, or not do it at all? All we’ve talked about for the past year is how much dad fucked all of us up by being the monster that he was. I mean, fuck, I respected the man more than any of you, and even I know that. Is that what you want for your kids? Do you want Antonio, twenty-five years from now, to be storming around his house, screaming at his wife, terrifying his kids, and abusing Anna’s boyfriend?”
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“Okay, calm down. You’re right.” I was surprised to hear the words come out of his mouth. “You’re right. I was out of line, and I caused issues I shouldn’t have caused. Believe me, I slept on the couch last night because of it. Molly said it, too. I’m tearing us up.” I remembered Molly standing in total shock as Luca screamed at her that he could do whatever he wanted. I didn’t really know how to respond to his reaction. It was like he had two personalities, and he wasn’t able to navigate when to pull each one out. “This isn’t good, Sandro. This isn’t good for any of us.”
“What are you saying?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I have to figure it out. Can you come home?” he asked.
“No, I can’t today. I need to be with Willow.” It was strange being so blunt. I imagined if Willow had heard me say it, she’d be over the moon. “I have a feeling that I don’t have much time with her left, and I need to make the most of it.”
Luca was quiet for a moment, and even in the silence, I could tell that he was battling with which personality to toss out. “Okay,” he replied. “I understand. Be with Willow. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Hey, Luca?”
“Yeah?”
“I have information about Horatio. I’m still working, and I know you are, too. Nothing’s gonna happen today. Be with your wife, and be with your kids. We’ll figure it out tomorrow. Marco’s a big boy. He can take care of himself in an emergency, and Ricky’s checking in on him hourly. Let’s take a day off.”
There was a sigh and then, “Yeah. I think I’ll do that. Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Bye.”
I hung up the phone and stared at the blank screen like it was going to give me answers. I never knew what the next day was going to bring me. I hated it.
I walked over to the hotel coffee shop, despite only being in pants and shoes, and knocked on the frame, drawing the attention of the barista. “Hey, I know no shirt, no shoes, and all that. If I stand out here, can I order a couple of cups of coffee?”
She grinned broadly at me, her peach cheeks developing some color. “You can come in.”
“Thanks.” I stepped into the shop and walked over to the counter. “Nothing complicated, just two large cups of coffee and…” I peeked into the small display case of baked goods. “A couple of banana nut muffins, please.”
“Of course.” She sprang into action filling two cups with coffee and setting two muffins into a bag. She took another bag and dropped in a collection of cream cups and sugar packets along with a couple of stir sticks and slid everything across the counter at me. “On the house.”
“Oh, no, I can pay.” I reached for my pocket, but the barista pushed the items further toward me, pointing out the post-it note with her number on it.
“Really. It’s okay.” She winked at me, and I grinned.
Who says male boobs don’t get free drinks?
“Thank you.” I took the two bags and the cups of coffee and made my way out of the shop. As I was turning the corner to head back up to our room, I flicked the post-it note off into the trash.
I’m sure you’re very nice, Callista, but I’m not interested. Willow would kill you.
I chuckled to myself, remembering a time back in high school when Willow found out one of the girls at our school was trying to get me to break up with her. For as much as she rejected the life, she’d be good at it. She could be ruthless when it came to anyone trying to interfere with our relationship. The girl spread a rumor that Willow was cheating on me. I didn’t believe it for a second. I knew Willow would never do something like that. Besides, we’d spent every waking moment together, so she wouldn’t have had the ability to sneak around. I was ignoring it and told Willow so, but she discovered that the person who’d started the rumors did so with the hope that I would take it for face value and break up with Willow, leaving me open to date her. Not that I would have, anyway. She didn’t hold a candle to Willow.
The next day, Willow walked into the school, walked directly up to her, tapped her on her shoulder, and clocked her in the face. When the girl started to cry, she said in an even tone, “I guess you were prepared to open your whore mouth, but not to have me close it.” If I could go back in time to any moment, it would be that one, so I could record it. We dated back before viral internet was much of a thing, but Willow would definitely be a meme right now if it had been.
There was a small balancing act getting the door open with the coffee and muffins in hand, but I managed okay. The sun was well above the horizon now, shining into the room. I rounded the corner, and Willow was sitting up in the bed, crossed legged, with her computer in her lap. When the door snapped shut, she looked up and smiled.
“Hey.”