Page 55 of Say It Isn't So

My mother’s words echoed in my head—family is the most important thing in the world.

I closed my eyes and shed all the tears I’d been holding in for far too long. Not for Knox or this whole thing with Dad, but for my mother. How I missed her—her words of wisdom, her patience, her laughter.

“Why did you have to leave me?” I asked her in between sobs.

Everything about my mother was just suddenly gone, and I liked to think I did a good job soldiering on, but there were times, like now, when I wished more than anything in this world that she was still here with me.

Death could kiss my ass.

Chapter Seventeen

Knox

london, united kingdom

Why was itany time I wanted to watch something there was nothing on?

Better yet, why had I thought staying longer in London would be a good idea?

Oh, that was right, because when I set my flight schedule I had thought this trip would be no different than the ones in the past—I’d work and work and work some more. But somehow along the way my personal life got mixed up with this trip and suddenly I was driving myself nuts.

Rina.

Bianca.

Rina.

Bianca.

Frankly, after this week, I deserved this time in my room to be left alone and watch a little television, maybe catch a game, and sit with my thoughts.

Scratch that, Ineededthis time.

Frustrated by the lack of options, I shut the television off and tossed the remote beside me on the bed just as my phone signaled a text.

Bianca:Allie’s in Milan.

Knox:I know, you told me she’d be there for live footage.

Bianca:Yes, but what I didn’t tell you is that she’s going to cover for me when needed so we can have some time to ourselves without the added pressure of running from show to show.

Knox:In other words, cut the work part out of the work trip?

Bianca:Exactly! How do you feel about having Alicia and Joann fill in for you occasionally?

Knox:I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. As you can imagine, they love this stuff.

Bianca:Good; it’s settled then.

Knox:I have to say, I’m sort of bummed. If your sisters weren’t on board, we could’ve snuck around.

Bianca:Oh, that could’ve been fun. . . and hot. Sneaking around is always hot, isn’t it?

Knox:I wouldn’t know firsthand, but something tells me you do.

Bianca:Angelo Morelli is my dad, of course I know a little something about sneaking around. Hello, I’d had a life when I was a teenager.

Knox:One he didn’t approve of, I’m assuming.

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