Page 77 of Fix You

Like Rafe had suggested, I imagined a basis in the truth would help matters. “I snuck out to go to a club to try to take back my sexuality, and when Rafe caught me, he went with me… as a chaperone.”

Silence came over the line. “And how exactly did you end up at his hotel?”

I sucked in a ragged breath as memories flickered through my mind. “I had a breakdown. It wasn’t pretty. I didn’t want to worry anyone by coming home in my state.”

“Oh, Maeve, I’m so, so sorry.”

“I’m okay now.” I glanced over my shoulder at Rafe who was staring expectantly at me. “Rafe took care of me. He got me out of the street and back here. I’m fine now.”

Silence came over the line. For a moment, I’d thought we’d gotten cut off, so I questioned, “Caterina? Are you there?”

“I’m here. I’m just thinking.”

“I know it’s wrong of me to ask, but please don’t tell Callum.”

“I won’t. You have my word.”

“Thank you.”

“But I do want you to call him.”

“What?” I demanded.

“Call him and tell him what you told me. Except leave Rafe out of it. Tell him you’re safe at the Parker House. You need some time alone, and you’ll return in the morning.”

“And what’s going to stop him or the others from barging over here and dragging me home?”

“I will.”

I didn’t bother arguing since I knew Caterina was right. If there was anyone in the family that the boys listened to besides Mam, it was Caterina.

“Thank you for doing this.”

“You owe me. Big time.”

“I’ll find a way to make it up to you. I promise.”

“Just be happy, Maeve. That’s the way you can make it up to me. Be healthy and happy.”

“I’ll try.”

“There is just one more thing you need to do.”

“What’s that?”

“Despite where you sleep tonight, make sure there’s a room registered in your name.”

While I gasped at her innuendo, Rafe shook his head. “We’re not having sex,” he argued.

“I’m not a Sister of the Sacred Heart anymore, brother dearest. I know how the world works. There’s no way two people who look at each other the way you two do will be sleeping alone tonight.”

And with those parting words, she hung up. Rafe took his phone back from me. I thought he might be calling Caterina back, but then he said, “Yes, I need to reserve a room tonightfor my client. Her name is Maeve Kavanaugh. Yes, thoseKavanaughs.” The hotel clerk’s garbled voice echoed on the line. “Okay, thank you.”

He hung up and tossed his phone on the bed. “Apparently, I should’ve been checking in as a Kavanaugh rather than a Neretti since they’re comping a deluxe suite for you.”

I laughed. “I’m sure the same could be said if I was in New York.”

“True.”

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