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I follow behind the boys, taking the seat in the middle.
“How are you adjusting, Christina?” Albert asks behind his steepled fingers.
I shift in my seat.
“It can be… difficult to be a Venitti,” he says, both filling the silence and acknowledging the unsaid.
Difficult is an understatement, I think.
I sweep my hair behind my ears, leaning forward as I choose my words carefully. “It’s… fine.
But I miss my friends. I’m still not sure what is expected of me, as a Venitti,” I say, allowing the last few words to fade as I lose confidence.
Albert nods his head. His dark eyes never leave my face, but don’t flash with any emotion either. “You’ll get used to it.”
“Will I?” I ask, feeling more honest than I’m used to.
“You will.” His words sound final.
I flinch.
“You don’t like that answer?” He asks.
“No.” I shake my head.
“It’s your face. It gives away all your secrets, Mio caro.”
Personally, I think I would adjust better if I was allowed to live my life.
Albert cocks an eyebrow when I continue to look at him.
I swallow. My shoulders hunch inward but I catch myself.
No.
I straighten. “I think I would adjust better if I was allowed to live my life,” I say the words out loud.
Albert smiles, but it gives me the shivers. Is he actually asking because he wants to know or for some other reason?
“What part do you miss?”
Nico leans forward, looking as if he’s about to jump in but Albert holds up his hand to silence him.
“University,” I say, simply.
If Albert truly cares about me being happy and adjusting, then he’ll care about my education.
I sit on my hands so he can’t see them shake. With a deep breath, I steel my resolve. I have to do this. I have to.
“I want to go back to college and finish out my first year,” I say, blurting out the words. “I worked hard for my scholarship and I don’t want to just throw it away.”
It’s probably the champagne giving me the courage, but I’m grateful for it.
“I don’t want to be stuck at home. I want to have… I want to have as normal of a life while I still can.”
I don’t let myself show weakness now. “Please.”
Albert considers me. “Fine.” He sets his glass down on the counter. “I’ll call first thing tomorrow. You can start Monday.”
