Normally, I would keep up the brave face I have for years, but this morning I want to give in.
“Anything you want,cuore mio. Let me just grab Mia to look you over quickly, and then I’m yours.”
“Mia? Why?”
His face grows more concerned. “Do you remember last night?”
I shake my head as I search my brain for the events.
“Let me grab Mia.”
He’s almost to the door before I call out. “Don’t leave me.” My throat is sore and my mind foggy.
He opens the door, and for one brief moment, my heart sinks at the thought of him leaving me after I openly asked him to stay.
“Go find Mia. Tell her Isabella’s awake.”
He shuts the door before striding back toward me. Once at the bedside, he toes his shoes off before climbing into bed beside me. I curl into his side immediately, ignoring the pain and nausea that comes with it. He strokes the back of my head and down my back as he holds me close to his chest.
“Loda il Signore, grazie a Dio.”
“You know I don’t actually speak Italian, right?” I tease.
This used to be a common argument we would have. I’ve picked up a couple of words here and there, but never learned much of the language.
He presses a kiss to the top of my head before speaking. “I’m just thanking Jesus, God, and whoever else is listening for protecting you,cuore mio.”
“What happened?”
“I failed you,” he whispers.
Before I can ask him what he means, Mia bursts into the room. “Izzy! You’re awake. How do you feel?” She comes over and grabs my wrist, watching her watch.
“Actually, I feel sick to my stomach, and my head is killing me.”
“She doesn’t remember, Mia.”
Mia stops what she’s doing, looking at Giovanni. “I see. Well, let me do a quick check and then she can rest. I’m sure she will remember once she rests more.” She attempts to sound confident, but I catch the anxiousness in her voice.
Giovanni slips from the bed before helping me sit up slowly. After he’s sure I won’t puke, he kisses my forehead lightly. “Do you want some water? I can go grab you some ginger ale and crackers if you prefer?”
“Sounds perfect, thank you. Hurry back.”
“I will.”
After he exits the room, I turn to Mia. “Start talking.”
“Everything’s okay. What’s the last thing you remember?”
“Looking at my phone and reading your text saying you weren’t coming home.”
“This is new territory for me, Iz. I don’t know if telling you will help or harm.” She bites her lip as she contemplates.
“How about we start small? Do you know what happened when I got home? Did I leave again?” I ask gently.
“No, you had Dante search the house because the foyer light had been on.”
She pauses and I think back to last night. I remember arriving home to find the light inside on. I remember feeling as if something was off. I swallowed my pride and asked Dante to search the house.
