Chapter 19: Grace

"Dominic Grimaldi is here to see you, Ms. Castile," George says on the other end of the line.

"Thank you. You can send him up."

I grab two small plates and take them out to the sun-filled balcony. I spend more time out here than anywhere else in the condo. I know this will change once the weather turns colder. For now, I just want to soak it all up. Most evenings, I bring my books out to the patio and read or work on homework.

It's so relaxing.

Well, it's relaxing as long as I don't think about Matteo.

My ears are constantly pricked for the slightest noise. So far, there's been nothing but silence. It's like he isn't even there anymore.

Maybe he's on vacation. Or out of town for work. Who knows? I shouldn't even care.

Wait a minute- I don't care.

Hopefully, there will come a point in time when I actually believe it.