Page 86 of The Layover

Her gasp and giggle sent flames roaring through me. I crushed my mouth to hers, swallowing the delicious sounds and memorizing the shape of her mouth; the feeling of her soft lips, her taste, and her whimpers.

When I finally broke away, it was to her happy sigh. I pressed my forehead to hers and muttered, “Fuck, I missed you.”

“I missed you too. Both of you. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I… would rather do this with both of you here.”

I grabbed her hand. “Same.” I tugged her the rest of the way toward the kitchen, and had her wait in the doorway, out of the way of the staff.

Raul had his back to us when I approached, and when I tapped him on the shoulder, he barked, “What?” He spun, and his gaze landed on something—someone—behind me. “Back in five,” he shouted to his staff, and was already walking toward Carly.

When we reached her again, he did exactly what I’d wanted to do when I saw her again—he cupped her face between his palms and kissed her hard. Watching them was as good as doing that myself.

Raul stepped back with a scowl. “Not that you deserve that, after leaving without telling Eloise goodbye.”

“I know.” Carly nodded. “Hear me out before you kick me out.”

We weren’t kicking her out.

Raul glanced at his watch. “You have four minutes, thirty seconds.”

“I’m sorry.” Carly pushed the words out in a rush. “I’m sorry I left without telling you to your faces. I’m sorry I left at all. I was scared of falling and not being loved back.” Her voice trailed off with the last few words, and she ducked her head.

“You knew we loved you. We told you,” Raul said.

My dry smile slipped out. “He didn’t figure it out until you were gone, so don’t let him give you too hard a time.”

“I’ll give you all the hard you want.” Raul’s line didn’t have the oomph it should.

A corner of Carly’s mouth tugged up. “I don’t know if it’s too late to say it back, but I love you too. Both of you. So much it scares me, apparently.”’

I placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head up, so I could stare into her stunning eyes. “It’s not too late. It’s very much not too late.”

“Two days from now, though…” Raul finished with a cluck.

I shot him a warning look.

“I’m sincerely glad you’re here.” Raul’s voice finally softened. “But if you’re leaving again, I pray to God Eloise hasn’t seen you.”

“She has, and I’m not. I’m staying. Regardless of what you say next, I’m moving to Milan, because I’ve always wanted to live here, and to help The Raphael Group open a European office. But if you’ll have me, I’m staying in your lives, too.”

I mentally fist-pumped at the news, grasped Carly’s fingers, and kissed the tip of each one. “Of course we’ll have you. Always.”

“Fuck.” Raul scrubbed his face. “Don’t take this wrong—I’m happy you’re here—but this is the worst timing.” He glanced at his watch and back at his kitchen.

Carly kissed him on the cheek. “Go. Work. I wasn’t going to miss this party, and I’ll still be here when you’re done.”

He claimed her mouth in a brief-but-scorching kiss. “You’d better be.”

“Cross my heart.” Carly squeezed both of our hands, and then let go of Raul’s as he turned away.

I led her back to the dining room, we retrieved Eloise, and took our seat at the table at the front of the restaurant.

The twenty or so people here with us followed my lead and took spots at other tables, in groups of two to five.

Eloise regaled Carly with stories about everything that had happened while Carly was gone. With us, with her nonna, and with her building blocks. It was incredible to watch.

When Raul stepped into the room, I told Eloise to stay with Carly, and joined my husband, standing in front of everyone.

Our presence seemed to draw the entire room’s attention. Raul and I shared a look, and I gave him a brief nod and squeezed his hand.

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