Page 183 of Obsessed by My Ex's Mafia Uncle

“Please shut up.” I groan, covering my face.

“I hear you, sis.” Aisha bursts out laughing so hard she nearly spills her drink.

Atelia clinks her glass gently against mine anyway.

Then, mercifully, she reaches for the food platter and slides it toward us.

“Eat,” she commands casually. “Before all these emotions ruin the pasta.”

I can do that.

I can eat.

Eat, not think about how neck deep in love I am with Robert.

When I get backto my room, the wine has nestled warmly beneath my skin.

It’s not enough to make me drunk but enough to make me honest with myself as I stand in front of the bathroom mirror staring at my reflection longer than necessary.

I look healthier now.

I’m still healing, but healthier.

The bruises along my collarbone have faded into faint shadows, the cut near my forehead is almost gone, and my body no longer feels bruised from pain.

And maybe that’s the problem.

Because Robert still touches me like I’m one wrong move away from shattering.

Gentle hands.

Gentle kisses.

Gentle everything.

Meanwhile, I’m standing here remembering the man who used to pin me against walls, his fingers bruising where they marked.

The man who used to look at me like hunger was a language.

I miss him… Badly.

Fight.

Aisha’s voice loops through my head.

Maybe that’s what I should do. Maybe I should discard my advice for a change and do things differently.

I exhale slowly before splashing water against my face.

Then I start freshening up with entirely too much intention behind it.

I apply my body lotion slowly against my skin. Slip into a silk sleep dress. Dab perfume carefully at my wrists even though I know he’ll smell it immediately anyway because Robert notices everything about me in ways that should honestly concern the government.

By the time I’m done, my pulse feels annoyingly loud.

I climb into bed afterward, trying to act normal about it. Trying not to look toward the door every thirty seconds, anticipating when he’ll walk through the door like he’s been doing every night for the past two weeks.

Sometimes late.