Page 76 of Marry Me Not
“The rest of us?”
“I discussed it with the staff. They all agree and will back me.”
“They’ve never complained. You show up, and less than a week in, you’re already organizing a rebellion?”
“I can only go to so many pottery classes, Cosimo. Not much else to do here besides organize rebellions.”
He didn’t answer. Silence stretched between us, thick and engulfing. I forced myself to focus on my breathing, but every time he adjusted his position, I caught a whiff of his dizzying scent.
My breasts tightened.
“You’ve been ignoring me since the wedding,” I said.
“Miss me, Nettle?”
My cheeks heated. “I just thought that after we married, you’d parade me around town to remind everyone about the alliance.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Hmm.”
More silence. I eyed the clock on the wall. I’d been here for over twenty minutes. Soon, it would be time to leave, but I wasn’t ready yet.
“All these secrets you keep. Doesn’t it get lonely?” The heat was making me reckless.
“I’m used to it.”
“I never could get used to it.”
“When did you have to keep a secret?”
“The whole time I was abroad. I couldn’t tell anyone my real last name. Not a word about my family. The older I got, the more it weighed on me. I didn’t know how to connect with others while lying to them about who I was. On Friday nights, when everyone met up with their friends on the banks of the river to catch up on their week, I’d walk by them and realize I had no one to call.”
“Your sister?”
“Elena was always traveling. And my coworkers… We probably could’ve been close, but if they’d known who I was from the start, they would have stayed the hell away from me. I didn’t want to dupe anyone into being my friend.”
“None of us show our full selves to others. We’re all always hiding something. And often, it’s a hell of a lot worse than your last name.” He shifted again. “You’re too hard on yourself.”
I opened my eyes. He was close enough for me to count the drops of sweat sliding down his arm.
“So are you.”
“Am I?”
“Freezing house. Hostile furniture. I get wanting to stay sharp, but it’s okay to have one place where you can let go. Be comfortable.”
“I did have one place. Until you invaded it,” he grumbled.
My lips twitched. “You could be comfortable in your whole house, not just these twenty square feet. You know, it won’t kill you to throw down a rug in the living room.”
He looked straight down at me. “Get one then.”
I held his gaze. “You want me to redecorate?”
“I wouldn’t mind.” A strand of his hair shed a drop of sweat. It landed on my cheek, warm and startling.
“Might remind you of me when I’m gone,” I said, my voice going softer than I wanted it to.
