page29 (2/2)

“You can trust ht knot in her throat “I adore her”

His htened, as if she’d threatened his very safety “My ht”

“You don’t wantthrough the drawers for clean pj’s It wasn’t personal, she told herself But it was a lie

She wanted things personal between thes he never confided in anyone She wanted him to tell her what his ex had done that he didn’t trust any woman anymore

She wanted their facade to be true She wanted to be the woman that Raphael forsook any other woman for, that Raphael broke all his rules for

“I get that Believe me, I do I think you’re a wonderful father She won’t wake up And you can go call your mom while I settle her down”

Instead of reassuring hi With a short stiff nod, he walked out of the room

By the tiinning to set Making a face, she pulled her damp T-shirt off her chest

The e, Raphael stood up His gaze took in her wet T-shirt He scowled “You should have called me when she woke up”

“She didn’t I had so those monstrous taps at the tub and splashed myself” It was the first time they had been alone since that episode at his sister’s house Pia wiped her da in her stoet to? I can stay until your mother comes back”

“Teresa will be here any ement”

Pia nodded, unease cli up her spine It was the way he said it It was the way he wouldn’t meet her eyes

“Who are you ?” she asked She tried for nonchalance but wasn’t successful