Page 199 of Diego

Her lips curve, and I bend to kiss her forehead. “If you need anything, call me.”

“I have Emilia.”

“I know. If you need anything, call me,” I repeat.

She laughs. “Okay.”

“And if you get tired, stop.”

“I know that too.”

She watches me for a moment, clearly aware of the fact that I am still standing there instead of leaving.

“You’re going to be ten minutes away, Diego.”

“Closer to fifteen.”

“Then I will make sure nothing catastrophic happens during those extra five minutes.”

I look at her.

She softens before the argument I am not actually trying to start can form. “I’ll call if I need you. I promise.”

That is enough to loosen something in my chest.

“Anything feels wrong, even slightly wrong, you call.”

“I will.”

I study her face for another second, looking for some sign that she is agreeing just to get me out the door. There is none. She looks amused, maybe a little exasperated, but otherwise perfectly fine.

I straighten and reach for her water glass, checking that it is still mostly full before setting it back down.

Blair watches me do it. “You know, if you keep this up, I’m going to start charging you for hovering.”

“Put it on my tab.”

“It's already so substantial.”

“I can afford it.”

That gets the laugh I wanted, and I finally force myself to step away.

Emilia appears from the direction of the kitchen carrying a folded dish towel, and I turn toward her. She has worked for me long enough that she takes one look at my expression and understands exactly what I am about to say.

“I’m going to the office.”

She nods once.

“I shouldn’t be long.”

Emilia gives me the same unimpressed look she has used on me for years. “Blair is fine. I am here. You have work.”

Blair glances between us, clearly enjoying herself now.

I realize I've been outnumbered.

“Fine.”