Page 219 of The Bonus

I bend on one knee and Lucia hugs me tight. “Goodbye, baby,” I whisper as I hold her longer than I should.

She steps back, and my eyes search Dominic’s. “Can I have a hug?”

He steps forward and gives me a rigid weird arm hug and immediately pulls out of it.

My heart sinks, and I force a smile.

“See you Friday.”

“Okay.” He puts his backpack on and turns to go inside. I glance up and Grace has gone.

She didn’t even say goodbye.

I wait for them to walk inside with my heart in my throat.

Don’t go.

I open my emails and exhale heavily. The days go slow in New York, the nights go slower.

I’ve got a sore heart and a thumping dick.

The highlight of my day is at 8 p.m. when I call the kids to say good night.

Alessio pops his head around the corner. “We getting lunch?”

“Yeah.” I close down my computer. “I need to grab a few things while we’re out.”

“Like what?”

“Clothes.”

“You never shop in stores.” He frowns. “Where’s your stylist?”

“Long story.” I roll my eyes. “Let’s go.”

Half an hour later, we walk through the department store in the men’s section.

Alessio looks around at the clothes. “Why are we here?”

“I need to buy some new clothes.”

“From here?” He winces. “Why?”

“I need to get some clothes that are less designer and more…” I twist my lips as I try to think of the right word. “Lumberjack.”

“What?” He screws up his face in disgust.

“Dominic doesn’t like my designer suits.”

His eyes flick up in surprise. “Are you sure he’s a Ferrara?”

“Don’t you remember what it was like being six, you just want your dad to fit in and be like all the other dads.”

“You have never fitted in,” he mutters dryly. “Trust me, you don’t fit in with the lumberjacks either.”

I chuckle as I hold up a checked shirt and eye it suspiciously.

“That’s fucking hideous, man.”

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