Her head jerks up to me with a fork stuck between her lips.
“What? I thought we were discussing my love life, so why not yours too?” Her wide eyes squint before a triumphant smile lights her face.
Fuck! I’m not going to live this down.
She brings that fork down and chews painfully slow before saying, “Love life?”
“I’m forty. I don’t have crushes.” I wave my hand side to side, trying to act nonchalant.
“Coz you have luuvv.” Her cheeks pinken as she singsongs the last word, making me chuckle.
Regarding me with a wide smile, Mere comments, “You look happy, Dad.”
“I think I am, kid. After a long time.” My lips curl up and my heart feels lighter than it has ever been.
“Then don’t let her go. Clem is good for us.”
After dinner, I return to my room and think back upon Mere’s words. I glance at my phone and check the time in Tuscany.
Fucking time difference.
When the alarm rings at an ungodly hour, I grab my phone from the nightstand before bringing it close to my blurry eyes and close the reminder.
Call Clementine.
I scrub my face with shaking hands. Nervousness and anxiety bubbling in my chest, my heart ready to break free of my body. I turn on the lamp and grab the water bottle from the nightstand. Taking a few sips, I dial her number.
She picks up after two rings.
“Keith.” Her breathy voice reaches my ear, goose bumps rising all over my skin.
“Were you asleep?” I ask, my heart beating faster than it has ever been.
“No, I was changing.”
My eyes close, imagining her wearing one of those shirts that reach mid-thigh and teases me with a glimpse of her glorious ass whenever she stands on her toes, grabbing something from the high kitchen cupboard.
I must have groaned out loud, as she asks, “What happened?”
“Nothing. I just imagined you in the kitchen trying to grab a coffee mug. Your white panties with little red hearts came to mind.”
“Keith!” Her gasp is audible and so is the thud when she drops her phone.
My lips twist in a smile, knowing I threw her off-balance and made her delirious.
“How are you saying…all this?” The vibrations in her trembling voice send sparks through my body.
“I’m done keeping things bottled up. I’m done hiding. But if you aren’t ready, just tell me.” My voice shakes with nervousness as I say the last words.
“How did this happen?” Her wistful voice barely a murmur.
“Many things. Your absence. Merida telling me we can’t let you go. Connor forcing me to see a shrink—”
“You’re seeing a therapist?” Her shaky breath caresses my ear.
“Yeah.” I move my hand back and forth over the comforter, feeling a bit self-conscious at the admission. “I don’t hate it as much as I thought I would.”
“I’m so happy that you’re getting help, Keith.”