Page 12 of Hidden Rocco
“Sure.” She shrugged and glowed almost brighter than the sunrise earlier.
Whoever this ex of hers was sounded worse than the criminals he’d met in prison as even they didn’t try to kill pregnant women. He stilled and waited for her to slap him as a response but asked his question anyhow, “If you’re good at reading people, why did you date such a bad guy?”
A long sigh escaped her lips and she closed her eyes for one second. It was like she took the brightness of the day with her until she opened them again. “I was young and foolish.”
“You’re not that old now,” he said.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last year.” She turned toward him and closed the small space between them. “I have a brain and I’m using that rather than listen to parental advice. I used to believe in fairy tales and impossible dreams coming true. Now I know I can’t project my wishes on anyone, and I use my common sense.”
“Can I ask a personal question?”
She held her breath and then gave a curt nod. “Go ahead.”
“What was the medicine you needed for?”
“I was… injured, but I’m healing.”
“You seemed in pain, like it was your gall bladder.”
“It’s not that.”
“Well, if you need your pills, just scream. I’ll come fast.”
“Thanks.” If someone as confident as Mica was worried over her son, then whoever this man had been, he'd been bad news. She was right to say he deserved what happened to him. Rocco would do whatever he could to help Mica. “Trusting in yourself is an admirable quality.” The baby woke up and cried. He backed away from Mica. “I see your son wants you. Why not take him outside and enjoy the morning?”
She headed toward the baby and picked up her son. “Isn’t it too cold?”
The windows didn’t even have frost on them. He intended to go out and see the tree and the birds closer. In prison he’d watched the birds go from trees to cement and not care where it lands though here a bird would be surrounded by beauty. “The snow is melting already…the storm is over. Bundle up?”
She smiled at him as she walked to the refrigerator and grabbed one of the bottles. “Good idea, but I'll have to think about it. Thank you, Rocco.”
“Thank you, ma’am. You have no idea how you’ve saved me,” he said as she left.
He’d make a few bottles and place them in the fridge and then go outside. Mica deserved far more than he might ever offer, but he’d at least help in a small way, as a token of appreciation.
Chapter 4
Mica, upstairs in her suite, surfed the internet on her laptop in her office area while Jacob napped in his bassinet.
At least WIFI was faster now that she’d had the service fixed a few days ago. It had been torture using her slow phone data.
She was connected to the world, even if she was avoiding people.
Well, most people.
Rocco, downstairs, had cooked a great breakfast. He cleaned. He showed such wonder of nature. He pitched in. He listened without arguing or making a suggestion. And he didn’t make her self-conscious at all.
Maybe it was because he hadn’t ogled her like she was the answer to his money prayers which was every other guy she’d met even after giving birth in New York.
He hadn’t checked out her body like she was some hot thing.
Well, giving birth had ruined that girlish figure anyhow.
Maybe she’d never lose the last ten pounds, though through his eyes, she felt appreciated for who she was, not what she should be or might have been.
Yet he hadn’t had anything with him when he’d arrived, saying he was lost.
Mica added another pair of work pants to the shopping cart.
