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I wipe my mouth with a napkin. “I remember sitting in the shade under the canopy on the beach, reading my cartoons, when this annoying little girl started crying about her foot. I figured out her parents weren’t around because she was a local, so that left me to make her stop crying so I could go back to my peaceful existence.”
“You carried me all the way from the beach?”
“It’s not that far, Cristina.”
“I know, but I’ve never been thin, so it’s not a small feat.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
Cristina’s fingers touch her lips. I think my not discussing her weight pleases her.
“You weren’t thin, no,” Frenchy says. “And don’t take this the wrong way because you know I think you’re a nice girl, but Severio here”—Frenchy slaps my back—“has always been strong.”
“That’s true.”
Cristina narrows her eyes. “Is this story even real, or are you two inflating Severio’s giant ego by making up stories about his chivalry?”
Honey calls out from the kitchen.
Cristina rises as if to grab the meal, but Frenchy stops her. “I’ll get it.”
“You really shouldn’t,” she says.
I shake my head, knowing Frenchy might be old, but he’s plenty capable.
Frenchy presses his fists on the table and leans in. “I know what I can and can’t do. Thank you for looking out for both my health and Severio’s ego. But when either of us needs looking out for, we’ll let you know.” With that, Frenchy leaves.
I smirk.
“Oh please,” she says.
“You had it coming, telling Frenchy he’s too old.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Might as well have.”
I lift the carafe and pour her a glass of white wine. “Try this.”
She swirls it and tastes it. “This is very good. Not local, is it?”
I nod. “Frenchy’s vineyard.”
She shakes her head, then checks the label. “The ones we get at the resort don’t taste like this.”
“That’s because Frenchy saves the best for me.”
Cristina chuckles. “Does he, now?”
“Mmhm.” I steal her glass.
The food arrives, and Frenchy tastes everything first.
When you’ve learned the hard way at a very young age that the adults in your life are trying to hurt you under the pretense of feeding you and caring for you, you learn to be cautious and ruthless.
Nobody can be trusted except the people who have proven their loyalty over the years in service to the Order or me directly.Cristina’s unvetted, and Frenchy spent the last decade with Gio, monitoring him for me, but also befriending him. I trust him, but remain cautious because I’m treading new waters with Cristina now.
I need proof she’s good for me before I dive inside her. But I must admit, the longer I’m around her, the harder it becomes to resist claiming her.
