Page 57 of Vita Mia

Eve didn’t respond. Her mother waited patiently for an answer. “Okay mummy.”

“Good. Be here in an hour. See you soon.”

Eve hung up. She closed her eyes and took down a deep breath. She then exhaled slow. She got up from the bed and collected her purse and phone. She slipped on her high-heeled shoes and fixed her clingy silk dress that shaped her curves and revealed her cleavage. She went downstairs and out the backdoor. Nico saw her immediately.

“You still angry at me?” he asked and tuned off the electric saw.

“Yes,” Eve smiled.

“Headaches?” he asked with concern.

“They come and go. Thanks for the aspirin. Mum just called. She wants you to visit for dinner.”

Nico frowned. “She said that?”

“I think she just wants the company. Go on and get showered and you can ride with me.”

“What about Boo-Boo?” he said and gave a nod to the dog.

“She can stay here, until I bring you back. I only have a two seater,” Eve said with a sly smile.

Nico didn’t move.

“I’m not taking no for an answer. Besides, I owe you dinner after that lunch you fed me. C’mon. I have to go back to America soon. Can’t we spend some time together like family?”

Nico smiled. “Your mother didn’t invite me. Did she?”

“She wants to have one of her talks Nico. Spare me. Okay? Besides you two haven’t seen each other in a few years and you live a few miles from each other. She’d be happy to see you.”

“I doubt that,” Nico mumbled.

“C’mon. Please. For me?”

Nico heaved a deep sigh. “I spoil you too much.”

“That’s what Godfather’s do,” Eve smiled. He leaned in and her heartbeat so fast it nearly broke through her ribcage. She couldn’t look away from his eyes. She obediently turned her gaze and her face slightly. He pressed a kiss to her cheek. Then he drew his lips away. It was enough and as intimate as it ever got. But she made it enough. She reached for his hand and touched his wedding ring.

“You shouldn’t work while wearing it.”

“I never take it off.”

“I know,” Eve let his hand go. He stared down at her with the sun behind him as his halo. She smiled. “Maybe you should take it off. Give your finger some circulation.”

Nico paused another minute, he turned her hand over. It was her gloved hand with the tiny crystals and sequins. “I wear my ring for strength. Like you wear this glove. It’s our super power, remember?” He looked into her eyes. “It helps us remember.”

Eve nodded.

Nico lifted her gloved hand that shielded her burns to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “The thing is, you’re already the strongest woman I know.”

“I’m a woman. You keep acting like I’m still Evie riding on your shoulders.”

“You’re a woman. And for me, you will always be Evie.” Nico smiled. “And I will always be your Nico. Your Godfather. Not your husband, not your lover.”

He let her hand go. He turned and walked away and she almost stopped him. But she didn’t. They’d had the deep conversations before. She knew where he stood, and she respected it. Out of respect for her father he’d never touch her, never cross any lines. He’d only protect her. And he did when she was foolish to fall in love with the first boy who slid into her life to use and abuse her trust. He did when her marriage fell apart after her miscarriages. He’d show up no matter where she was in the world and he’d rescue her from the deepest despair. He’d done it all her life. It was the purest love and understanding she had with a man who wasn’t blood related. And to not have anything more from him was her curse. Because no matter how hard she tried, no one ever compared to Nico.

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EVERY TIME EVE RETURNEDto him he noticed her changes. He would have to be a blind man to not notice she was no longer the little girl he once adored. She was one of the most beautiful, and most desired women in the world. Her face was on the cover of every magazine. Saudi Arabian Princes’ sent her diamonds as big as golf balls to seduce her. Celebrities courted her publicly. The Prime Minister of Italy had even asked her to dinner at a charity event on public television. He saw it all from the television in his tiny home. He watched from afar and waited for her to need him. He kept his promise to Giovanni. He was always there. And in doing so he discovered he loved her as deeply as he loved his beloved Cecilia. Differently, but the love was pure.

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