Page 45 of Come Take Me Now

Appa shoves her sunglasses into her curly hair. “That’s serious, Tilly. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, and I’ve gone back for more to say the least.”

“Damn, Enzo and Robby are cut from the same cloth,” she whispers.

“What do you mean?”

“Robby did that to me once when I was off the pill. Sorry for the TMI, but he totally has a breeding kink,” Appa says. I make a face, but I don’t think they’re that similar.

“That doesn’t feel like E. It felt like he was claiming me, and he’s done it every time we’ve, you know. But breeding kinks are like fetishes. That’s not how I’d describe it with him. It’s like the finality of it.”

“Well, be careful. I got pregnant with Ember while on the pill. We tried for Luca, though,” Appa says. My eyes dart up to meet hers, but Enzo catches the corner of my eye. “Valenti men are completely addictive. I know you’re supposed to go to San Diego in August. Do you really think you can walk away from Enzo at the end of the summer?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. The first time last weekend, he said he’d ruin me for any other man, and I think he has. No one would ever compare to him. Physically or emotionally.”

“And it doesn’t help he’s six foot five and a dreamboat.” She raises her eyebrow at me with a smirk playing on her lips.

“He’s so different from my ex. He was only a couple of inches taller than me and would never get a tattoo. And I somehow land a guy like Enzo.”

“Who cares? If he rocks your socks off…do you ever think he’s suffocating, though?” Appa asks as if she knows exactly how I feel.

“Always. Like a drug, and I can’t get enough.”

“Welcome to life with a Valenti man. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else other than Robby,” she quietly adds. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“What is it about Robby?” I ask.

“Damn. Everything. The way he calls me baby and cooks, and he’s such a good dad. My dad’s an alcoholic, and my mom’s a narcissist. It brings me peace that my kids aren’t going to grow up like I did. I picked a good one, and so did you.”

“My dad’s abusive. He’s been okay so far this summer, but he keeps himself busy with golf and tennis and other rich white dude activities.” From the pool, I notice Enzo curling his finger in my direction like an invitation.

“Abusive how?” Appa quietly asks.

“It’s the perfect pool day!” a female voice says behind me. The voice startles me, and I crane my neck to see who it is.

“Oh, Tilly, this is Adri, Enzo and Robby’s cousin from San Diego. Adri, this is Tilly, Enzo’s…” She pauses, and a big smile graces her face. “Girlfriend.”

Adri is stunning with dirty blonde hair that’s surely dyed, big lips, tanned skin, and likely breast implants, judging by her bikini top. She’s the kind of girl I would have avoided in school. Not because she seems mean, but I can’t imagine I’d have much in common with her.

“Enzo has a girlfriend?” Adri exclaims.

“Hi, Adri,” Enzo says.

“You finally got up,” Robby teases.

“Fuck off, Robby. I’m dealing with a broken heart.” Adri sits next to Appa on the pool lounge. “It’s nice to meet you. I thought I heard Enzo had a new girl in his life.”

“Have there been many girls in his life?” I ask, but I don’t know if I want the answer.

Adri and Appa both shake their heads. “No, not really. All my friends have huge crushes on him, though,” Adri says with a laugh.

“Can’t blame them,” I reply.

“Right? Any guy six foot five with tats like that will attract the female gaze.”

There it is again.

“But the female gaze doesn’t matter if the guy doesn’t want it,” Appa chimes in.