Page 56 of Audiophile

“I’m fine. You wouldn’t believe it, but this is my best appearance at a family dinner in years.”

He squeezes again—I’m not fooling anyone—but doesn’t press it. “Glad I could help, then. Any chance there’s panna cotta in my future?”

I’m grateful for him and his willingness to adapt. I link our hands together under the table, soaking up his warmth. “I’d say the odds are high.”

The conversation twists and turns until Tommy and my predicaments are both forgotten. When we’re all suitably stuffed full of dinner and dessert—the last glass of wine nearly finished, conversation slow and relaxed—Reed looks at me.

“Ready?” There’s fire simmering in his eyes, and it spreads into a low, curling heat in my belly.

“I need to pack a bag. Be right back.”

I dart up the stairs and pick out clothes as if I’m Livi. The sheer underwear and bra get thrown in, plus toiletries and clothes for tomorrow. I bite my lip at the top of the stairs, tempted to duck into Tommy’s room for a condom. There’s no telling what else I might unearth in my search, though, so I don’t.

I drop my bag at the door and rejoin Reed in the dining room. Reed makes all the proper compliments and excuses for leaving. Darin takes the opportunity, trying to slip out directly after us, and bundles up the kids.

“Night, Mama, Papa,” I say, kissing both their frowning faces.

“Petronia!” Mama hisses and yanks me out of the room by the elbow, Reed and Papa right behind us. “Did you forget that your bed is here?”

“No.” This is the moment of no return, and I have to be careful with how I handle it. “Mama, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Maybe.” My gaze flies to Reed’s, and he shrugs. “You owe me a day on the coast on Tuesday.”

“I might be back tomorrow.”

“Do you see Tommy having girls sleep over?” Mama glares at me, and the double standard from Tommy’s three girl dilemma is unfair. “Trick question, because nice girls don’t sleep over. Don’t make the same mistake you made with Nate. Don’t—you know!Almost nine years and no wedding, Petronia!”

Her hiss rises to a yell, and I flinch. I can’t help it. I know exactly what she refuses to acknowledge. Grief sweeps through me, and I wrap my arms around my belly for comfort. I failed with Nate. I wasted years trying to make right something that was out of my control. A new numbness settles over me, and Reed wraps an arm around my waist while Mama’s lips tighten in contrition.

“Better no wedding than a brutal divorce,” Reed says, voice hard. Mama is forced to let go as Reed glues me to his side. “I’m not Nate. And Petra is not who she was when she was with him. I treasure my new friendship with her, Mr. and Mrs. Diamante, and she and I know exactly where we stand.”

“Stellina,” Papa begs.

He pulls at my heart. If only I’d become a nun for him. Instead, I’m the opposite. His unmarried but definitely not asexual daughter.

“I’ll be careful. Goodnight, Papa.Ti voglio bene.” I reach for his hand, squeeze, and let go. Reed’s arm is solid around me as he guides me to his car.

I don’t look back.

Chapter twenty-one

Petra

I shiver in thecold night air, and Papa’s concerned face lingers in my mind.

“Petra, come back to me.” Reed tilts my chin up until his face replaces Papa’s heartbroken one. “Don’t shut down.”

“I’m okay.”

“You sure about this?” Reed asks as I open the car door. “I don’t want to push you to come with me. I lost my temper there.”

I drop the bag on the seat but don’t get in. “That’s you losing your temper? You’rezeropercent Italian. This is…difficult, but regaining my independence is healthy.”

He searches my face and nods. “What was Tommy talking about? What happened with Nate?”

Icy wind blows down my neck, forcing a shiver. “Not tonight.”

Reed cradles my jaw, his touch slow and soothing. “Sometimes we have to reopen the wound and get the gunk out in order to heal.”

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