Page 39 of Be With Me
I rolled my lips and grabbed the iPad.
In the dining room, Aris was still in the same position, fingers tapping absentmindedly against the table. I handed her the tablet.
“Do you know what time your father will be home?” she asked.
I checked my watch. “Should be any minute now.”
I hoped he wouldn’t be late. I had plans.
Fabi, Nina, and Zo were already on their way to pick me up. It was Labor Day weekend, and we were going to spend it at the Hamptons. Fabi’s mom had a gorgeous house out there, and since she was in Italy for the summer, the place was empty. Fabi had suggested we take advantage of it—a girls’ weekend before fall really set in.
I hadn’t had a getaway all year. I needed this.
More than that, I needed to talk to Fabi some more about her engagement.
Romolo’s assessment of Cosimo was only mildly comforting. I didn’t know if I could trust him to tell me the truth about his brother.
I was starting to think I was in way over my head.
Even before he showed up at my studio three days ago, I’d been having second thoughts.
What was I thinking?
I wasn’t a match for Romolo Ferraro, and I knew it. That was why I’d ended our round of questioning before it had even really begun. I was afraid I’d slip. Afraid I’d say something I shouldn’t.
Especially when his presence alone made me feel so damn on edge.
“Didn’t you say you had plans this weekend?” my stepmom asked.
“Yeah, I’m just waiting for Dad to get in before I go.”
“You don’t need to wait. I don’t need you supervising me.”
“Aris…” I hesitated, unsure what to say.
She pressed her lips together and tapped her fingers against her iPad with barely restrained frustration.
I knew it wasn’t personal. She was just trying to hold on to whatever sliver of control she had left.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
Exhaling quietly, I stood up and began clearing the table. The sound of the front door unlocking came right as I finished.
My dad smiled at me when I appeared in the hallway, my weekend bag slung over my shoulder.
“Mia, there you are.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “How was breakfast?”
“Good. We missed you.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be here.” His gaze dropped to my bag. “Listen, something came up. Jenny was just about to call you.”
I stilled. A call from Jenny was rarely good news, especially when I’d booked the weekend off.
“What’s up?”
“Looks like my schedule’s changed.” He scrolled through his phone. “I have to meet a donor at her house at the Finger Lakes.”
I frowned. “That’s a long drive.”
