Something like this could ruin him if this got out.
Ruin hisfamily.
And he’s trusting me with it.
I shouldn’t be focusing so selfishly on what he’s said, but I am. Tears line my eyes, heavy with the reality of what he’s just told me and the gratitude I feel for him entrusting it with me.
“That’s risky,” I tell him. “But so incredibly selfless and brave.”
“Grazie, piccola ladra. I’m sure it goes without saying that no one can hear about this. In time, you will learn more, but I have already said enough over the phone.”
“Of course. I won’t breathe a word.”
“So tell me.” He changes the subject promptly. “Can I see you this weekend?”
Turning from my side onto my back, I rest the phone on my chest. “Maybe Sunday, after brunch with my family? Unfortunately, Saturday I have some work to catch up on at the office, and then I’m stuck attending the Venus-Hope benefit gala in the evening.”
“Hmm, well, perhaps I will see you on Saturday, after all. I, too, will be in attendance at the gala. Sullivan’s father arranged a table, and my cousin and I have been swindled into going.”
“It’s going to be difficult to avoid you.”
“Sì, it will be. I will see what I can do to arrange somewhere for us to sneak off to.” I can hear the grin in his voice.
I smile, and it turns into another yawn. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize how tired I was until I got intobed. I absolutely hate when people yawn into the phone, and here I am doing it to you.”
“Vincenza, you never have to apologize for being tired. Let us say goodnight so you can rest.”
“We don’t have to, really. I’m fine. I’m not ready to hang up, I want to hear your voice.”
“If you insist on staying on the phone, then I must insist you rest. Plug your phone in, Vincenza, and lay it on the pillow. I will stay on the line until you fall asleep.”
“You’d do that?”
“Trust me, if I could be by your side instead, I would be. Now, what would you like me to talk about?”
If I could melt further into my bed, I would. I wish he could be here. What I’d give to have him in my bed right now, laying beside me.
I have a feeling that if I asked him to come, he would.
But Cecilia is in the next room and I could never ask her to leave her home just so he could sneak in. It’d be so much easier if we were out in the open, but knowing I’ve now told two people when we agreed to tell no one, sends a pang of guilt through me.
“Tell me about your family. Or one of your favorite patients.”
He dives into a story about his childhood, telling me about when his little brother was born, and what Italy is like. His detailing is so vivid, I can picture myself standing in the kitchen of the home hegrew up in, seeing his story play out as though I’m a ghost in the room.
A smile touches my lips as he talks about his mother and the bond they share.
As he speaks, I picture us in another life, holding hands and smiling, sitting at a table with his mother, a newborn cooing in her arms as Sly presses a kiss against the side of my head.
It’s startling how easily I can envision everything with him by my side—how badly I want it—and utterly heartbreaking to know that’ll never be the future we have together.
A tear escapes the side of my eye, but I don’t bother to reach up and wipe it away, because the comfort of his voice lulls me to sleep, even though a piece of my heart just broke off.
Chapter 23
Vinnie
Afestering of nerves settles in my chest as I ride alone in the back of my family’s limousine Ross picked up earlier today from my parents’ garage. The Venus-Hope benefit gala is arguably the most highly profiled event of the year, put on by the Arison family, set up to pull on the heartstrings of New York’s most prestigious.
