Page 29 of Rockstar Untamed
Vittoria began to walk again. “Bodhi told me about your situation, where you grew up. You were brave to escape it.”
Sailor said nothing to that, uncomfortable. Vittoria looked at her. “That wasn’t a criticism, Sailor. I cannot imagine the horrors you went through there.”
“But I can see how you might think that I’d latch onto Bodhi because of it?”
“Can you?” There was no reproach in Vittoria’s voice, and Sailor knew she could be totally honest with the older woman.
“I can see how some people might use him to better their situation. I’mnotone of those people.”
“Good. I like you, Sailor King, I can be as straight forward as I like. None of that silly ‘my feelings are hurt’ nonsense. You are a straight shooter like me.”
Sailor was glad of the approval in Vittoria’s voice. “Did you like Gemma?”
She knew it was bold to ask the mother about the ex-girlfriend, but Sailor wanted to know what kind of woman Gemma was. Vittoria gave her a conspiratorial grin, but sighed.
“Gemma was very different than you, Sailor. High-strung, very elegant, high-maintenance. Skittish like a thoroughbred race horse.” Vittoria smiled at Sailor. “I think you are more like me. A tomboy, is that the word?”
Sailor grinned and nodded. “It is, and yes, that sounds like me. I’m not nearly as elegant as you, though.”
Vittoria laughed. “Believe me, I’m usually covered in paint and pastel dust, my hair sticking up in every direction. Just ask Claudio. Do you like him?”
“He’s lovely…a little withdrawn. Knowing Soleil first, I had imagined him to be as extrovert as she is, but he’s not.”
extravagant as Solly, the dear girl. You are friends, yes?”
Sailor nodded. “I adore her, and she’s doing Bodhi and I a tremendous favor by posing as his partner in public.”
Vittoria nodded. “She’s a good girl…I’ve always thought of Claudio and Solly as my children, and Solly and I especially…have something in common.” She gave a Sailor a meaningful look, and Sailor got it after a beat.
“Really?”
Vittoria laughed. “Really. I didn’t know myself until well after Bodhi’s father died. For the last two years, I have been very happily dating a wonderful woman called Christina.”
“Does Bodhi know?”
Vittoria shook her head. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment. As I said, Bodhi was very close to his father.”
Sailor considered for a moment. “Knowing Bodhi, he would just be glad you’re happy.”
“You think so?”
Sailor nodded. “But it’s none of my business.”
Vittoria hugged her. “You are part of this family now, Sailor. It is your business, and thank you for being so supportive.”
Sailor grinned. “And if Bodhi gets angry about it, I’ll kick his ass.”
Vittoria laughed. “That’s my girl. Shall we go and rejoin everyone?”
Vittoria spent most of the rest of the afternoon bonding with her grandson, who took to her straight away, already in love with her large dog, whose named was Tag.
“He’s a Leonberger crossed with a Bernese Mountain dog,” Vittoria told Tim. The dog was as tall as the ten-year-old, and Bodhi rolled his eyes.
“He’s huge. How on Earth do you control him?”
“Bribery mostly,” she shot back to the amusement of the others. “It worked on you as a kid.”
“True story,” Bodhi grinned and Tim laughed at his father’s expression. Bodhi ruffled his hair and Tim hugged his dad hard. Sailor’s eyes filled with tears at the joy in Bodhi’s eyes. His relationship with Tim had really blossomed.
