Fragile Longing

Sofia was gorgeous beyond measure.

“You still have another two months before you can look at my daughter like that,” Pietro warned, shaking my hand harder than necessary.

I clenched my jaw as I smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll honor Sofia the way she deserves.” It was what I’d promised myself after the party. I couldn’t undo what had happened, but I’d try to do better, and I hoped Sofia would give me the chance. The way she avoided my eyes gave me little hope of that, though. The present I’d brought her dug into my upper thigh through my pocket.

When she and Samuel stopped in front of us, everyone’s attention shifted to us.

Sofia’s smile was bright, but her eyes didn’t reflect the same exuberance. They were cautious, no sign of the shy infatuation of the past. Samuel released her and gave me a sharp nod before he greeted a few of the Captains. I lightly touched Sofia’s hip and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Happy birthday, Sofia.”

She tensed under my touch but didn’t move away.

“Thank you,” she said formally. I searched her eyes, but with dozens of bystanders it was difficult to create a private moment.

“Can I have a moment alone with you?” I asked quietly. Usually, I’d have to ask her father first but after his yes, Sofia would be obligated to give me the same answer. I wanted this to be up to her.

She ran a tongue over her lip nervously, drawing my attention to her mouth. I’d practically fucked her against a tree, but I hadn’t kissed her yet. I’d remedy that once we were married—if she let me.

“If my father agrees,” she said. I turned to Pietro, and he gave his consent. None of the guests would feel offended if I whisked my fiancée away from them for a moment. She could accept their birthday wishes later.

Sofia led me toward her father’s office. I opened the door for her and lightly touched her back to motion her in. The feel of her skin awakened a primal desire in me, but I shoved it down.

Sofia shied away from my touch. Her body brimmed with reluctance at being close to me now that we were alone. If not for the public setting, she would have probably taken flight. I closed the door, my chest tightening at the wariness in her beautiful eyes.

“I apologized, Sofia. I thought that had settled things.”

She shook her head, pressing her lips together. Her lack of communication frustrated me. I wasn’t used to getting the silent treatment, and I hated mind games. Then something occurred to me. Maybe she didn’t remember my apology? I tried to remember the night. I wasn’t good at apologies but even if I hadn’t said the actual words, Sofia must have realized I’d expressed my sincere apologies in other ways.

“It’s fine,” she said quickly, but it obviously wasn’t.

I stepped toward her and took her hands in mine. She didn’t pull back but didn’t relax, either. “I wouldn’t have touched you if I’d known it was you.” The actual words I’m sorry were too difficult for me to say. It was a bad habit I couldn’t shake.

Sofia looked up at me with a tight smile. “I know.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of her reaction. Frustrated by my own inability to communicate properly with her, I took out the small box with her present, hoping to salvage the situation that way.

“This is for you,” I said as I handed the small box to her.

She took it and opened it. I’d chosen an intricate golden necklace with a diamond-studded teardrop pendant. Ines had told me that Sofia had had her eye on this particular piece for a while. “It’s gorgeous. How did you know?”

“Your mother told me.”

Sofia nodded.

I took out the necklace. “Should I help you put it on?”

She turned around and lifted her hair, holding her breath when my fingers brushed her skin as I fastened the necklace. She turned around. “And?”

“It looks perfect on you.”

Her eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if she was trying to see beyond the obvious. I wasn’t really sure what she was looking for. I could tell that the present didn’t quite have the effect I’d hoped for.

“Maybe we should return to the party?” she suggested, stepping back from me.

“Of course,” I said, following her back toward the living area. Sofia kept her distance from me throughout the evening, a polite distance I wasn’t used to from her. It was the kind of behavior I’d wished for when she was younger, but now that our wedding day was close, her new reluctance to closeness worried me.An unfamiliar number flashed across my cell phone screen. After my initial confusion, I became suspicious. What if this was Fina’s number? Samuel had promised to give my number to her. That had been two days ago. Maybe she was already calling? I reached to take the call, my heart beating excitedly at getting the chance to talk to her. I wondered what it would be like to hear her voice after all this time. Over the years, my memories of her had become hazy. Would it be awkward between us?