“Okay,” I said hesitantly. “I thought Santino and I would be returning to Paris after Bea’s birthday in August?”
Mom and Dad exchanged a look that made me increasingly nervous. Mom came toward me and touched my shoulder. “If that’s what you want?”
I nodded vehemently. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I? I love the city and my fashion studies. It’s my dream come true.”
Mom touched my cheek briefly. “Your father and I had concerns in the beginning, but we have to say you proved us wrong.”
“Still,” Dad said. “People are starting to wonder where you are.”
“They know I’m studying abroad. Don’t they understand we have to keep it a secret for safety reasons?”
“Oh, they do,” Mom said with a shake of their head. “I think what concerns them more is that you’ve dropped from their gossip radar.”
I loved Mom’s honesty. She hated how judgmental some people in our world were. She’d been submitted to their cruel words at the start of her marriage to Dad too.
“If people don’t know the truth, they make up their version of it,” Dad said.
I rolled my eyes. “What kind of rumors are they spreading now?”
“That you’re pregnant with Clifford’s child and that’s the reason why you’re engaged to him. That you’re pregnant with someone else’s child. That you’ve run off with someone.”
“I’m back. If I’d run off, I wouldn’t be here, right?”
“Which is why we need to make sure you keep attending social events. And that’s why we’d like you to stay until the start of the semester.”
“Okay.” That was only two weeks more than I’d thought. That wasn’t so bad. Of course that meant Santino and I would have to stay away from each other for two months… I’d probably combust. “Is there a date for my wedding yet?”
Mom and Dad exchanged a look. “Well, while the Clarks are willing to wait, we have to make sure we don’t offend the conservatives in the Outfit. Your mother and I think a wedding in the summer after you finish your fashion school would be advisable.”
“Oh.” I swallowed. That would be in three years, which really wasn’t that soon, but at the same time sooner than I would have liked. “That sounds like a good plan. Do Clifford’s parents agree?”
“They do. Clifford will be done with his undergraduate studies by then and in law school, so they think children should have to wait a bit longer.”
I almost laughed. Was there anything Clifford and I could decide on our own?
Mom touched my shoulder. “Is that okay for you?”
“Of course.”
Three years.
That was enough to enjoy myself, my freedom, Santino.
When I walked out of the office, I texted Santino to tell him when we’d return to Paris, but I left out the part with the wedding.
Our texts were always professional, no cute emoticons or endearments, and definitely no sexting.
“I wasn’t sure we’d be returning to Paris at all,” Santino said suddenly, startling me half to death.
I whirled around with wide eyes and touched my chest. “You scared me.”
Santino’s eyes burned into mine and a little shiver passed my spine. I slanted a glance at Dad’s office door which was only down the corridor, and swallowed. Santino stood close, and I wanted to bridge the remaining distance between us.
“What are you doing here?”
“Your parents asked me to come over for a conversation.”
“They’re going to tell you about Paris.”
Would they mention the wedding as well? I really hoped they’d keep it to themselves for now. I didn’t want things to get tense between Santino and me again.
“I’m sure they will,” Santino murmured.
I took a step back before I could do something increasingly stupid. “Maybe you can come up to my room later and tell me what they said?”
Santino cocked one eyebrow. “I think it would be a better idea if you came over to the guardhouse. I have the night shift and can’t abandon my position in front of the monitors. If you come over at ten, I’ll have time for a quick chat about Paris.”
I stifled a smile. Did that mean he was alone in the guardhouse?
“I appreciate that,” I said politely, and amusement twisted Santino’s lips.
“I’m sure you do.”
I turned around, trying not to be too giddy.
After a shower and a thorough shave, I put on a simple sleeveless summer dress for easy access. I didn’t bother with underwear. I wasn’t sure how much time we’d have so I wanted to avoid wasting time.
I headed through the underground corridor toward the guardhouse and knocked. My pulse picked up in anticipation.
Santino opened the door and motioned me in, acting professional, and as if we weren’t meeting for a booty call. At least I hoped that was what it was.
He closed the door and took in my outfit. He could probably see that I wasn’t wearing a bra because my nipples were already growing hard.