Page 191 of Salvatore

She deserves more from me.

I make my way through the house, unsure where Salvatore disappeared to as I escape outside through the living room doors. The crisp green lawn grounds me as I hit call.

She answers in less than two rings. “Ivy?”

I raise my face to the sun, picturing her in my mind. “God, I’ve missed you. So damn much.”

“It’s been horrific.” Her words tumble out in a rush. “It’s like I lost a limb… A really cute one that always made me feel like I had my shit together, you know? I didn’t realize how much I rely on you as my emotional support human. I should be mad at you for ghosting me, but here I am, about to ugly-cry my eyes out.”

“You should definitely be mad. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Liv told me all the things… Well, enough to let you off the hook and then some. I just wish I could’ve helped.”

“You did.” It’s the truth. “Knowing I could call you at any time and be immediately greeted with support helped me get through. I think I kept you as a last lifeline in case things got too dark.”

“Is that what you need right now?” Concern enters her tone. “Your last lifeline?”

“No. Not at all. I’m good.Reallygood.” I stroll toward the massive aviary, the chirp and chatter of exotic birds greeting me. “After weeks of uncertainty, I’ve finally found some footing.” I scan the yard, taking note of the blond guard who spares me a casual glance from his perimeter walk at the back of the property.

“Does that mean you’re coming home?”

“Not exactly.” I pluck a flower from a nearby shrub, feeding it through the aviary’s wire to a waiting Quaker parrot. “There’s still people in Baltimore who wouldn’t offer me a warm welcome, so I have to take it slow.”

“I understand. I’m just being needy. I miss your main character energy livening up the funeral home.”

I chuckle. “Sure you do.”

“No lies here,chica.Life’s been missing some color without you in it.”

I hum a note of sardonic agreement. “Well, brace yourself, because when I return there’ll be a whole new color scheme added to the palette.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll be adding a splash of baby pink or blue.” It’s not the best way to announce a pregnancy. It could possibly be the worst, but I can’t help nibbling my bottom lip, waiting for her reaction.

“Umm? Excuse me? Could you please clarify what the hell you’re talking about, Miss Diaz? I’m jumping to outlandish conclusions over here.”

I smile, already knowing she’ll support me no matter what. “I’m pregnant.”

Silence greets my admission. Long and loud and kinda awkward before she screeches, “Are you fucking with me?”

“No. It’s only early days, but my uterus is officially a VIP lounge.”

“Holy-motherfucking-shit,” she bursts out with a surprised laugh. “Well, that’s one way to step back into my life in true Ivy style…” She pauses a beat, the quiet filling with tension. “But wait… Was this?… Were you?”

I know where her thoughts are at, and I hate that they’ve justifiably gone there.

“It wasn’t from abuse, Al.” I feed another flower through the wire of the aviary, gently nuzzling the crown of the parrot as it picks at the stem. “The conception wasn’t planned but was definitely enjoyed.”

More silence follows.

Then her voice cuts through it, sharp and accusing. “Well?Is there going to be a ticker-tape parade for the father reveal or do you think you could put me out of my misery?”

I chuckle, thankful my abdominal wounds no longer stab through me when I laugh. “His name is Salvatore. He’s the brother to Olivia’s lover boy.”

“Wow… okay. Something super spicy must be flowing wildly through that gene pool for the two of you to be so deeply hooked. But aren’t they both—I don’t even know if I should be saying this out loud, but—unsavory kinda guys?”

This time my chuckle is internal, kept beneath the cage of my ribs at the image she paints of the man I’ve fallen for. “Unsavory is a polite way to put it. But yes, I’ve grown attached to someone whose life is littered with criminal activity. I guess I’m drawn to it, given my upbringing. I really do adore him, though.”

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