Page 137 of Punishing His Runaway Bride
She said, " Oh, okay, " and didn't ask again.
She climbed back into her chair, picked up the half-melted strawberry shake, and kept stirring the fruit at the bottom with her straw. Cream stuck to the corner of her mouth. She licked it off, showing the little gap between her front teeth.
I watched her.
My daughter.
She trusted me so much, depended on me so much, looked forward to seeing me again.
But I was leaving.
I'd disappear from her life again, make her wait at the door for someone who'd never show up again, make her—
My eyes stung.
The glass door of the shop cracked open, and the afternoon breeze pushed through, carrying the chill of early fall. I turned my head and saw the black SUV parked across the street.
The window rolled halfway down, revealing a dark shirtsleeve and fingers resting on the frame.
Ezio sat in the driver's seat. He didn't get out, but I knew he was watching. That gaze crossed the entire street and landed on me, like a beast crouched quietly there—not approaching, not leaving.
I looked away and wiped the corner of my eye with the back of my hand.
Across the street, the SUV's window rolled back up.
I didn't turn to look.
By the time I got back to the apartment, it was dark. Leo was having dinner at Ella's and wouldn't be dropped off until later. The apartment was so quiet it felt abandoned.
I kicked off my shoes, tossed my bag on the couch, and went to the kitchen for water. It was cold, sliding down my throat all the way to my stomach, but it didn't put out anything.
The doorbell rang.
I looked through the peephole. Ella. Alone, carrying a bag with two bottles of wine inside.
"What are you doing here? Where's Leo?" I opened the door.
"I need to talk to you." She walked in, set the wine on the coffee table. "Leo's still at my place with my mom. I'll have the driver bring him back after dinner."
"You didn't have to—"
"I know," she cut me off, sitting on the couch and patting the spot beside her. "Sit."
I looked at her, then sat.
She opened a bottle and poured me a glass. I took it and drank. The wine's bitterness spread across my tongue, a little sharp.
"Sophie's wedding is next Saturday," Ella said. "Are you ready?"
"Nothing to get ready for. I'm not the bride."
"You're her sister. And—" Ella paused. "Are you bringing Leo?"
"Of course," I said. "That's why we came back. Leo's been looking forward to it."
"Have you thought about," Ella took a sip, "what happens if you run into Ezio at the wedding?"
My fingers paused on the glass.
