“Go away,” she says, her voice muffled.
“No.”
“Come on, Dominic, just let me cry without an audience. I’ve embarrassed myself enough in front of your family this weekend.”
I follow the sound of her voice, finding her hidden behind two suitcases I’ve been meaning to move into the basement for quite some time. Crouching, I reach out, grabbing her chin, and bringing her face up so I can see her. A small amount of light from the open door allows me to see her tear stained cheeks, and I gently wipe them away.
“There hasn’t been one moment you’ve embarrassed yourself this weekend, raggio di sole.”
She huffs, blowing out a breath that feels like a warm bath along my arm. “You’re full of shit. And stop saying whatever that is.”
“No and no.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not full of shit, and I won’t stop saying what I’m saying.” I hear a little growl of annoyance, and I fight to hide my smile. My Kate is coming back, little by little.
“Why are you like this?” she says exasperatedly.
“Are you asking why I annoy you?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. Because it’s fun,” I tell her cheerfully, and almost shout victoriously when she can’t contain her laugh.
“It’s fun to annoy me?”
“Obviously. As if you don’t enjoy annoying me,” I point out.
“I don’t set out with a goal in mind of annoying you.”
“Really?” I ask as I scoot closer to her and sit down, spreading my legs on her sides so she’s caged between my knees.
“Yes.”
“Care to make a wager on that?” I ask.
Her eyes narrow. “Is that how we’re going to play this? Okay. I’m game. If I win, you have to …”
I wait as she looks above my head, deep in thought. I see the moment she decides on her bet when a devilish grin spreads across her face.
“You ready for this?” Kate asks.
“Yep.”
“If I win, you have to get the kids up every day this week, and then serve me breakfast in bed.”
“Cool. A theme.”
“What?”
“We’re on theme with each other.” I wait to see when she takes the bait.
“How so?” she finally asks.
I lean forward, so my face is only an inch from hers, and say, “When I win, I get to do whatever I want … in bed … to you.”
Kate’s eyes widen as her breath hitches. “I’m failing to see a theme here, Dominic.”
