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I let out a snort and turn to kiss Enzo’s cheek. “I’m going to put him down for a nap and call my mum.”
He nods and I take Ares from Carms. Benny grabs a glass of orange juice from the table. “Don't forget to show her the ring.” He fawns, turning to Enzo. “What does she look like anyway? Is she hot?”
Amusement lines his beautiful features as he shakes his head and closes his eyes. I raise a brow. “We're not doing this,” I say sternly as I turn and walk inside the sliding doors.
“That's a yes!” Benny calls and I flip him off.
I put Ares down for a nap in the cabin and come to sit just inside the doors by the sundeck. Propping my phone up on the side whilst I sit on the sofa.
“Hey, mum.”
“Hey, love.” She pauses to set me up in the kitchen whilst she starts unloading the dishwasher. “How's Colombia?”
“Look at this view.” I turn the camera so she can see the ocean and cliffs through the window. She pauses with a plate in her hand and eyes fixed on her phone.
She makes a noise of appreciation. “That's stunning. Where's Ares, is he with you?”
“He's just having his nap.” She nods a few times stacking a plate in the wire rack. “How was last night?” I ask.
“Yeah, it was good. I didn't stay too long though, it all got a bit loud and they started playing that stupid electronic music.” You'd think she was in her late sixties and not only just turned 44. She rolls her eyes, finally shutting the dishwasher and carrying the phone to the table. “But everyone had a lovely time. Leah was in tears when she opened the shoes.”
I smile to myself. “Bless her. I've got a missed call from her. I need to ring her back but I'll give her the day to recover. I imagine she's got a hangover from hell today.”
My mum laughs. “Yeah, she was slurring her words before I even left.”
I prop my head on my hand so my ring is on show. “I actually have something to tell you.”
She furrows her brows, leaning closer to the screen and then screams, making me jump back in my seat. “Casimira! Wait, are you? Are you actually?” I nod, grinning and she screams again. “Oh my Christ-. I can't believe it. This is amazing! Gratulacje.” ‘Congratulations.’
I laugh just as Enzo pops his head round the door out to the sun deck. “Everything okay?” His features are undercut with the slightest hint of worry.
Before I can answer, my mum cuts in. “Is that Enzo? Pass me over.” I breathe a laugh and pass the phone over to him. They've spoken through Facetime a few times and my mum loves him. I mean it's hard not to when he turns the charm on.
“I take it she told you,” Enzo says with a half smile.
“She most certainly did. I am so happy for you both. I would like to meet you in person before the big day though?”
I can't see her face but I already know she's trying to give her stern parent face and most likely failing miserably. She never was very good at being stern.
He nods. “Of course. We can arrange for you and Steve to come over and visit.”
“We would love that.” She pauses for a second and I could tell you word for word what comes next. “Although, I would prefer you both came to Michael's wedding in two weeks.” Knew it.
Enzo turns his gaze on me and I pull my legs up to my chest, the anxiety starting to crawl in. His jaw sets and his eyes turn hard. “Casimira isn’t comfortable coming back to London yet but I’m happy to pay for everyone to come over to us.” He says it with a certain finality to his voice that I'm so grateful for. “I won't take your attention anymore, I'll pass you back to Casimira. Speak to you soon Natalia.” He passes the phone back to me. I give him a grateful smile and he winks before walking back out to the deck, the sliding door shutting with a faint click behind him.
My mums got tears in her eyes and it makes me feel shitty. “I'm sorry mum. I know you want me there but I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
She wipes at her eyes, making me feel even worse. “It's alright love. I shouldn’t have brought it up again.”
We go on to talk about Michael's wedding and we also talk about mine. I tell her about Enzo's plans to adopt Ares and she starts to cry again. I do some more ugly crying. I finish our phone call and go out to the sun deck to join everyone else.
Benny, Luca and Enzo are all sitting around a low table playing cards whilst Carms lays on a sun lounger. Mouth open, snoozing. His pale complexion is going pink and a smug feeling comes over me. I think about going to slap his sunburnt skin but I think better of it.
“Cas, come play with us,” Benny calls, motioning his hand.
I walk over and sit myself on Enzo's lap, looping an arm around his neck and taking a peek at his cards. I have no idea what they mean. “Can't, you’d lose all your money,” I say, chin tilted up. Picture of knowledge.
“I doubt that.” Benny scoffs.
