Page 77 of Unsure in Love

Blinking, I swiveled my head around to stare at Gracie. My housekeeper’s face was slightly red, and she had her hands on her hip.

“I’m sorry for shouting, but I’ve been trying to get your attention.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

She gazed at me as she often did with that motherly concern. “Are you okay?”

“Sure.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I stood up. “What’s up?”

“I’m finished for the day. You said I didn't have to, but I made you dinner.”

“Thanks.”

“And I buzzed Lucia in.”

I’d forgotten my aunt was stopping by. “Oh. Thanks.”

She stared at me with creased eyebrows. Gracie opened her mouth to say something but snapped it shut. She finally settled on, “I’ll see you on Friday.”

My lips twisted into a smile. Sometimes, she struggled with maintaining professionalism—as in she tried not to act too much like a concerned parent. I never minded when she did. Gracie worked for me for a while, and I saw her as family. “Take care, Gracie.”

With a small smile, she left. I bet she knew why I’d been in a funk lately. Cassandra was gone and my penthouse felt… empty.

A minute later, Aunt Lucia flounced in. She was a ball of energy and bright colors. “Damian, darling, are you okay?”

And cue the dramatics…

My eyebrows shoot up. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

She huffed. “I haven’t heard from you in days. We were supposed to have lunch yesterday, but you didn’t show. I tried calling and no answer.”

Shit. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I said, “I’m so sorry, Tía. I…” This had never happened before. “I forgot.”

Aunt Lucia stared at me with wide eyes. They look suspiciously watery, and it was easy to guess why. “You visited Papa, didn’t you?”

She pursed her lips and nodded.

I sighed. When Aunt Lucia visited her brother, she got extra emotional, and when she didn’t hear from me after, she freaked out. When her brother was gone, I’d be the only family she had left. Well, me and my unborn child. I’d been so distracted by thoughts of Cass that I wasn’t there for my aunt. Feeling super guilty, I opened my arms. She walked into my embrace and sniffed.

“He doesn’t look good,” she whispered.

“I know.” I video-called him last night before he went to sleep. Dad was deteriorating, but I knew he didn’t want me worrying. So, although I was, I didn’t say anything about how he looked.

“We don’t have much time left with him,” she added.

Swallowing hard, I breathed, “I know.”

Aunt Lucia pulled away and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. You know how I get when I see Luis.”

I nodded and lead her to the kitchen. “Come on, let’s get you something to drink.”

“Do you have vodka?”

“Jesus, Tía. It’s barely noon.”

“What’s your point, dear?”

And she's back. Thank goodness. I hated seeing my crazy, hilarious aunt depressed.

---