Page 37 of Matteo

He opens the door, but we don’t go outside. There is a pool, fire pit, barbeque, and a green space larger than the closest city park. “The pool is heated if you’re brave enough to try it. Do you see the green space past the pool? It’s for residents to do what they want with their small plots. However, none of the owners have chosen to do anything with it. No one even has a dog to walk on the grass. So, if there are days when Layla is driving you crazy, and you need to get outside, you can come out here.”

Scanning the card against a pad, I hear a lock release, and he opens the door.

“This is the mail room. Packages can be left at the desk if you let them know to tell the carriers, and they can sign for them. But there’s an option for privacy. You could pop out of the elevators to get your mail without running into the people at the front desk.”

It’s a large room for so few boxes. “That’s it for a five-story building?”

“Yep, my brother bought this building and spent almost a year overseeing the rehab of it. He kept it small, only two condos per floor.”

He opens the door to a twenty-person theater with a projection screen. It’s like an actual movie theater but nicer, with large recliners.

“We can use this anytime. Just tell the front desk to reserve it.” We cross the hallway. “The same with the owner’s lounge. This will hold a hundred people.” Only a few more feet down the hallway brings us into a huge lobby like something out of a fancy hotel. “Speaking of the front desk. Jeanie, hi, this is Amy. She’s moved in. And this is Layla.”

“Hi, Layla. Ma’am.”

“Amy, please.” I’m not sure why I’m embarrassed.

“Jeannie, could you please get us another card made for Amy? We’re finishing up the tour of the place.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll have it ready.”

He opens the door to a large gym for such a small number of people. “This has a sauna and a jacuzzi. There’s also a jacuzzi upstairs on the roof, so you don’t have to worry about coming down here. I forgot to mention the desk is open twenty-four hours a day.”

We’re back at the front desk. Jeannie offers a keycard to Matteo. He thanks her and guides me back to the elevator.

“You can press the button for the elevator, and it will open. However, as you can see, none of the buttons will light up to get it moving until you scan your card.”

“Wow, rich, rich.” I murmur.

His chuckle slides up my spine. “Yes.”

Somehow, it doesn’t make me as tense as the last time he confirmed it. That wealth shields me from Danny and gave Layla and me a Christmas unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

Dinner is the stuffed peppers, which we both feel could have more spice. After dinner, we’re all yawning, and Layla gets another dose of Orajel on her gums as she tries to chew the frozen baby washcloth Matteo made for her in two.

“Go on, put her to bed. I’ll clean up in here.” Matteo is firm.

He’s gone long before I’m done putting Layla to bed.

In my own bed, I marvel at how lucky I am. I was certain getting sick was the worst thing that could happen to me. Instead, it was the best thing ever. Because Matteo was the doctor who saw me. It’s funny how life has a way of giving not what you want but what you need.

CHAPTER 12

Amy

I wake up too late for a mom. It feels late. Turning my head, the clock tells me it’s a little after ten in the morning. I never heard Layla cry, even though my door was open wide—not simply ajar by a few inches.

Matteo and the darn monitor. He kept the video monitor for Layla with him because he said I would hear if she needed me. Since he was further away, he needed the monitor. He’s all of ten feet further away from her. It was so I could sleep longer.

I’m cranky, and I’m not sure why. The more I think about it, I figure it out. It’s been nice having someone take care of me. No one has ever done it before. There are no memories of my mom doing much for me. She was deep into her addiction by the time I was eight. I don’t remember much before that.

All of that is at an end now. I feel better. Okay, not one hundred percent, but a solid eighty percent. Finally.

If I’m fine, there’s no need for Matteo to take care of me. It’s my turn to repay him for all he’s done.

It's New Year's Eve today. I wonder what his plans are. Will he go out tonight? Maybe he has a date… I refuse to acknowledge the way my stomach twists at the thought of him on a date with another woman. The time of it being just me, Matteo, and Layla is almost over. He’s going to go to work. I’ll be here cooking and cleaning for him. Because I’m the housekeeper, that’s all I am.

Out of the shower, I get dressed in my usual leggings and a long-sleeved shirt.

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