I turn on my heel and race to get mine.
I read the text message she just sent.
Dexie: What did you say? I didn’t quite get that. Say it again.
I don’t text her back. I dial her number as I stalk back into the living room.
She glances at her phone when it starts ringing.
“Rocco.”
Jesus, I will never tire of hearing my name come from her lips.
“I love you,” I say the words I’ve been longing to say for weeks.
Her hand leaps to the window. “I love you too.”
I press my hand to my window. “I’m moving to California with you.”
“I’m staying in New York with you,” she sounds back.
“You are?”
She nods. “You’re here. My life is here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re wrong about that.”
The corners of her lips dip into a frown. “I’m wrong about what?”
I laugh. “You’re coming over here, unless...”
“Come here.” She curls a finger at me. “I have blinds now.”
I turn my back t
o her and drop the towel.
“Holy shit!” she screams into the phone. “Turn around.”
I start to, but her voice stops me in place. “No, don’t. I don’t want anyone else seeing that. You’re all mine.”
“Get undressed.” I hurry toward my bedroom to pull on a pair of sweatpants. “I am three minutes away from devouring you.”
***
She swings her apartment door open to jump into my arms.
I catch her easily as she wraps her legs around my waist.
“I know.” She rains kisses on my cheeks. “I went to Calvetti’s this afternoon. I was trying to find you. Marti told me you had just left to go home to sleep. She told me everything. I know about your mom, and Irena and April.”
It was my story to tell her, but I’m damn glad Marti saw her way into the middle of this.
“I’m sorry, Rocco.” She rests her forehead against mine as I push her apartment door closed with a shove of my foot.
“The day you came to my place, so much was happening.” I heave a sigh. “I was scared, Dexie.”
“I’m here for you.” She slides down my body to her feet. “I will always be here for you.”