Page 27 of Lies like Rubies, Part One

“Nick is fine.” I smiled at her, taking her proffered hand to shake it.

While I unpacked in her living room, she fetched Lizzie. The four-year-old was a delightfully cheerful patient, letting me poke and prod her, asking eager questions about each tool and piece of equipment I pulled out of my bag.

“How is she?” I asked Sofia as I checked her vitals.

“She’s forgotten it, mostly, but I’m glad you called. I didn’t want to take her back to the clinic and bring back memories.”

I turned my attention back to the kiddo. “Hey, Lizzie, are you ready for some vaccinations? Are you a brave girl?”

Sofia laughed and gathered her daughter into her arms, plopping herself down into the couch, our legs a hairsbreadth apart. Lizzie's saucer-like brown eyes took over her entire face. Her cute button nose and the spritz of freckles stole into my heart almost as quickly as her mother had.

“I’m ready,” Lizzie said, holding out her arm, grinning up at me without a care.

I quickly administered the vaccines, one after another. Lizzie winced but didn’t make a sound.

“Brave girl,” I said, ruffling her hair. I affixed the bandages, then gave her a lollipop.

“All done.” My gaze drifted to Sofia, who hadn’t moved from the couch where we sat. If I breathed too hard, our thighs would brush together.

“Lizzie, would you go build a giant block tower in your room for Doctor Lombardi? We’ll come look at it in a few minutes.”

Could a four-year-old give her mother side-eye? I wasn’t sure, but after a moment, Lizzie nodded and clambered to the ground before heading down the hallway.

“She’s fine, healthy, right on schedule for height and weight. You’re doing a great job, mamma.”

Sofia's smile was slow and sweet, inching over her face like the sun shining over a glacier. “Thanks,” she breathed. “She’s more important to me than anything else in the world.”

I turned toward her, letting our knees knock together. When she didn’t draw back, I was emboldened, and took her hand in mine, running my thumb over her knuckles. “How are you doing?”

“I’m tired. I’m frustrated. I’m—” She sighed and dropped that expressionless mask back over her face, transforming her features into blandness, hiding her inner thoughts. “I’ll be fine. I have to be for Lizzie.”

“You sound like you need a friend.”

Sofia’s laugh was bitter and short, not the carefree laugh of a wealthy woman with the world at her fingertips. “I need a lot of things, Nick.”

I held onto her hand, gently stroking it, letting her work through her thoughts in silence.

She inhaled sharply and turned her head toward mine, her expressive blue eyes open wide. Our thighs pressed together, and her face was so close I could bend down and brush her lips with mine if I wanted. I waited for her to speak.

“My life is really complicated, more so than I could ever speak about.”

“Why don’t we take it one day at a time? Let me take you out for dinner,” I answered, squeezing her fingers, my heart in my throat.

She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she blinked back tears. I brought a finger to her face to stroke her cheek.

“Hey, whatever it is, it’ll be all right. I promise.”

“Any day but Wednesday,” she said with a smile, adroitly redirecting the conversation.

“I’ll pick you up on Thursday at six.” I’d have to come straight from the clinic like I’d done tonight, but it’d be worth it to see this woman again.

She leaned her face into my hand, where it rested on her cheek. “Somewhere outside of Italian territory.”

I should’ve known even a dinner date with a Russo would have layers of subterfuge. “Whatever you need, tell me.”

“Thank you.” Sofia’s whisper was heartfelt. I stroked my thumb over her face, then leaned forward to kiss her temple.

When she stood and held out her hand, I took it in mine so we could walk together to her daughter’s room. I marveled at how my large hand wrapped around her delicate fingers, that this stunningly complicated creature was interested in exploring the chemistry between us. Lizzie’s room was elegantly decorated, as much of a showroom as the rest of the house. Colorful books and puzzles peeked out of bins and chests, but her room still reeked of wealth.

---