Valentino had been treating me like I was fragile glass ever since I was in the hospital, and I didn’t think that was going to let up anytime soon.
“I’m okay,” I said when he pulled away from the hug. “I’ll be okay.”
He nodded, even if a part of him didn’t look convinced. “Make sure he treats you well.”
“Elio loves me. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Good. I would hate to have to kick his ass.”
I laughed.
“I’m being serious.”
“I know,” I said. I knew he would always look out for me, no matter what.
“And you know you’ll always have a place with me, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“That room in my apartment will always be yours.”
“Valentino, you’re going to make me cry.”
He shook his head. “I still remember the day Dad brought you home from the hospital. You were so little. And I loved you from the start.”
I looked off to the side. “It was the day you lost your mom.”
“Our mom,” he corrected. “And that wasn’t your fault.”
“She would probably still be here if she hadn’t given birth to me.”
“Or perhaps she would still be here if she’d had better doctors.” He shrugged. “We can’t dwell on the what-ifs in life. We can just forge on and try to live as well as we can.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“Good.” He didn’t say anything for a moment. “I never thought anyone was good enough for you. I still don’t. It’s one of the many reasons I didn’t want to set up a marriage for you.”
“One of the reasons?”
“I hated the idea of an arranged marriage. Sounds fucking archaic.”
“It is,” I agreed.
He nodded. “And I wanted you to fall in love first. I wanted it to be your choice.” I shot him a look, and he gave me a cheeky smile. “I know that sounds unbelievable, considering I didn’t really let any other fucker close to you, but truly, I wanted you to be able to choose.”
“Tino…”
“I’m glad you picked him. I still don’t think he’s good enough for you, but he’s the best option so far.”
I slapped his chest, and he chuckled.
He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I love you,” he whispered against my skin.
Tears sprang to my eyes from his words. “I love you too.”
A cough sounded to our left, and we both turned to see Massimo standing there.
Valentino tensed and straightened.
