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“Tomhasto.”
“Repeat after me. To-ma-so,” I enunciate, and I swear Nicoli’s eye twitches as he stares at me.
“You’re not helping save that man’s life.”
“Okay, Nicoli,” I say as I close my eyes and exhale. “Can we try to focus here for a moment?”
“Of course, babe.” He pulls a cigar from his bedside drawer.
“You know I hate it when you smoke in the bedroom.”
“Do you want me to freak out or smoke?”
I pause for a moment. “Smoke.”
“Smart choice.”
“Okay, but seriously. I really need to tell you something, and I need you to have an open mind.”
He slams shut his Zippo and takes a long drag on the cigar. His eyes narrow as he tilts his head back and releases a thick stream of smoke that coils through the air with a deep snarl. “Okay,” he growls. “My mind is open.”
I cross my arms. “Can you take nothing seriously?”
“I’m dead serious. You told me to have an open mind, and now I’m telling you that my mind is open.”
“You’re being an ass again.”
“Baby, are you sure you don’t want to talk about whatever it is tomorrow when the sun is up? We both know how you get when you’re tired.”
“And how exactly do I get when I’m tired?”
He frowns, blue eyes studying me for a moment. “I feel like that’s a trick question.”
“Nicoli,” I warn.
“Baby girl, just get into bed. We can cuddle and spoon, get some rest. And in the morning, we can fuck against the bedroom window, and then we can talk about whatever it is you want to talk about.”
“It can’t wait.”
“Surely it’s nothingthatbad that it can’t wait until morning.”
“I’m pregnant.”
The cigar slips from his lips, landing on his lap, leaving a trail of embers burning through the silk sheets. “Motherfucker!” He leaps out of bed, snatches it quickly, and grinds it into the ashtray before staring me straight on. “What did you just say?”
“Could you just pull on some pants? I can’t talk to you when you’re naked.”
“Mirabella Del Rossa. Talk.”
“Fine.” I try to steel myself as I speak, but my arms wrap around my body in a self-protective gesture. “I was having these nausea spells and realized I haven’t had my period since…” My voice trails off, and I can’t bring myself to say the words. Nicoli’s eyes study me, and it’s like it all suddenly clicks for him, his face drained of color. I’ve known Nicoli my entire life, and I can confidently say I have never seen this expression on his beautiful face.
Nicoli grabs a pair of sweatpants, slips them on, and sits on the couch, staring into nothingness, his eyes void of emotion.
I clear my throat. “Leandra—”
“Leandra knows?” he interrupts.
“I had to tell her, Nicoli. I had to make sure and needed her help to get the doctor here without the rest of you finding out.”
