I wake up far earlier than Christian does. Or, well. Perhaps “wake up” is a loose term here, as I’m not sure that I actually ever fell asleep. But there comes a point when the windows shift from black to the dark, eerie blue of dawn and I know that sleep has eluded me for the entire night. So I
He smiles again, though I can see him fighting it, as he gives me a grateful nod. “Well, if it would be no trouble, ma’am, then sure. A cup of coffee would do me good.” I smile back at him, pleased at the idea of doing something good, and start down the stairs into the dark kitchen. I turn on so
When I come back down the stairs, I see that Frankie is fully up on the island now, his legs crossed beneath him as he sips his coffee. And I can’t help it. I burst out laughing as I cross the kitchen to the fridge to take out the cream. “Are you allowed up there?” I ask, sending him a grin over m
Frankie raises his eyes to mine again. “Well, whatever happens,” he says quietly. “I’ve still got your back.” “Thanks, Frankie,” I say, giving him a warm smile and raising my coffee up cup for a toast. Frankie laughs a little and raises his own, clinking it against mine. We’re quiet for a moment
To my shock, Nico doesn’t say a word as his eyes lock on mine and Frankie’s hands, still joined together. Instead, he just rolls his eyes and continues into the room, heading for the fridge. As he walks, Frankie quietly drops my hand, laying his flat on the countertop instead and leaning back agai
Thirty minutes later when we come back up the stairs, Bella and Ricky run off to their individual rooms to get changed for the day and I use my foot to tap on Giana’s door, balancing a content Caterina on one arm and a second cup of coffee in the other. Giana turns to me with a smile, looking like
The room is silent for a long moment. So long that when I look up at Giana, I’m horribly worried that I’ve said something really offensive – that I’ve gone too far. But when I see the tears starting in her eyes, her red face, I realize that she just has no idea what to say. “Why are you being so
“What?” I sputter, my eyes flashing between them as Christian turns to me and Lucy goes rigid in her place on the floor, her eyes going wide. “What the hell is going on here!?” Christian’s hand softly drifts away from its place on Lucy’s head. “Iris,” Christian says, turning towards me seriously