Page 25 of The Convenient Cosentino Wife

Rocco didn’t pull his hand free, not even once Adriano slept, mouth open, long lashes resting on his sun-kissed cheeks.

Clare felt a pang as she glanced at the two of them. Seeing Adriano and Rocco together made her realize just how much Adriano had craved a father figure in his life. Not because she wasn’t enough, but moms were different than dads, and Adriano was definitely all boy.

Back at the villa, Rocco carried the still sleeping Adriano up the stairs to the nursery where Ava waited for him. Clare took a quick shower and changed into a fresh sundress, drawing her hair back in a loose ponytail. She went downstairs to find Rocco and he was there on the terrace studying the sea. “Would you like anaperitivo?” she asked him.

He turned to face her. “No, thank you.”

She could tell something was on his mind. His jaw was set and his gaze shuttered. Had there been an incident when he carried Adriano to the nursery?

“Did something happen?” she asked, going to stand next to him at the terrace railing. “I can tell something has upset you.”

“Not upset,” he answered, voice deep. “I just feel...grateful.”

“Grateful?” she repeated.

He glanced down at her, his brows pulling. “I didn’t think I’d ever have this feeling of family again. I didn’t think I’d ever be part of a family and it’s wonderful but also bittersweet.”

She searched the hard planes of his face, the scars almost invisible to her now. “Why bittersweet?” she persisted, thinking she knew the answer but wanting to hear it from him.

“Because you are not mine, and Adriano isn’t my child to care for. This all could be gone tomorrow.”

A lump filled her throat. Her eyes felt hot and gritty. Rocco was alone, very alone, and she was lucky to have her son. “Even if we didn’t marry, you’d still be in our lives. You’d still be hiszio.”

“True,” he said.

Clare heard a note of pain in Rocco’s voice that made her chest tighten and her heart ache. This was becoming increasingly complicated. She didn’t know what to do anymore, didn’t know what was right, or best. “I haven’t decided,” she said honestly. “I didn’t even think about your suggestion today. Instead I just focused on us, at the zoo. It was lovely, all of it, from start to finish.”

“It was a good day.”

“A very good day. Adriano was the happiest I’ve ever seen him. His joy gave me joy.” She reached out and lightly touched Rocco’s arm. “I am considering your suggestion. I just need time. I don’t want to give you a rushed answer and have it be the wrong answer. I want to consider what’s best for all of us.”

His dark head inclined. “Me being here will only create unnecessary pressure. I should go and give you space. Take as much time as you need to make the decision that is best for you and Adriano—”

“And you,” she interrupted softly. “I want what’s best for you, too.”

The shadows were back in his eyes. “Then that is easy. You and Adriano are best for me. Having a family to love would be my choice, but I don’t want my needs to influence you. This isn’t about me. Take time. I’m in no rush.”

“What if I need days?”

“Fine.”

“Weeks?”

“Fine.”

“And what if I don’t?”

He laughed, the sound low and surprisingly warm, the husky timbre sending a shiver down her spine. “Then you don’t.” He leaned toward her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll leave my contact details in my room. Let me know when you want me to know...whatever it is.”

He walked away from her, his long legs making short work of the terrace. Clare watched him disappear into the house, her heart in her mouth, baffled by the alternating waves of relief and regret washing over her. She was glad he was going, glad he’d agreed to allow her to figure out what she wanted, so why did she feel this way?

Lost? Abandoned?

But that didn’t make sense. She wasn’t being abandoned, and yet her eyes burned and her heart hurt. She blinked hard clearing away the tears. If only the world wasn’t such a hard, confusing place!

Dinner that evening was challenging. Adriano was quite upset that hisziohad left him without saying goodbye. Furthermore, why did hiszioleave at all?

“Sweetheart, Uncle Rocco has his own home,” she explained. “He has work, just like I do, and so he returned to Rome so he could get his work done, but we’ll see him again, I promise you.”

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