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Before I can answer, he smacks a hot kiss on my lips and then pulls away. He pecks me one last time before saying goodbye.

“Take care of my wife for me, Ginny,” he says. “Emily should be back now, amore mio. Should you want anything, she will help you. And remember…”

“…stay alive.” I roll my eyes at his overprotective stance, but truthfully, I find it all endearing. I love the fact that he watches over me with so much precaution. “Have a good day at work.”

Matteo walks out the door, leaving me with my friend. I watch the door for a moment like a little lovesick puppy.

Ginny steps up beside me, her eyes dancing with amusement. “You’ve got that look.”

I glance at her, wary. “What look?”

“The one that says, ‘I’ve been thoroughly ruined by my husband.’” She smirks. “Was it everything you imagined… and then some?”

“Ginny,” I gasp, heat rushing to my cheeks.

A pause settles between us. She raises her brows expectantly.

I bite back a smile, unable to help the flush that spreads across my face. “Yes. It was…” I exhale, dreamy. “It was incredible.”

Her grin widens. “That’s my girl.”

Emily comes out from the kitchen with a tray in hand. She offers me a small smile when she sees me. There’s something hollow in Emily’s eyes lately. Like she’s smiling with her mouth, but her soul hasn’t caught up. It’s subtle—so subtle I almost convince myself I imagined it.

Still, I can’t shake the odd flicker in her gaze as she sets the tray down.

There is something that just doesn’t feel right with her anymore. The light that used to shine in her eyes is no longer there. She isn’t the same Emily that I knew.

“I brought you some tea and sandwiches, Mrs. Davacalli.” She sets the tray down and gives Ginny and me one last look. “I will be in the kitchen if you need me.”

“Thank you, Emily.” I offer her a warm smile, but she doesn’t return it. She inclines her head and walks back to the kitchen. I watch her until she disappears around the corner.

“What has gotten into her ass?” Ginny comments. “She used to be so… chipper and smiley.”

I shrug. “Ever since I came back from the hospital, she has been off with me.”

Ginny brushes off my comment and pulls me to the couch, where the tray has been laid out for us.

“Now, spill, how good was it?” She wags her eyebrows at me.

I blush, and my cheeks go up in flames.

“Oh, you have it bad, girl.” She picks up her cup of tea and gushes. “I think we may need something a little stronger than what we have here. Emily!”

“Oh my God, Ginny…” I roll my eyes at her antics, but I can’t help but smile.

Emily appears again, but this time, she looks like she is on the brink of irritation. But when she notices me watching her face, she blinks and schools her features.

“Yes?”

“Please get the bubbly out. We have some celebrating to do. My girl got laid!” Ginny smiles, and I laugh at her brazen nature. “Bring two bottles. My husband will come and pick me up.”

Emily bites down on her lower lip, and a flash of emotion crosses her eyes. I don’t catch it quite fast enough before she schools her features.

“Emily? Are you okay?” I pick up my teacup and hold it in my hand. “You seem rather… not yourself.”

She shakes her head and then plasters on her polite smile—a fake one. “No, I’m fine. I think I’m just tired. I will get your champagne.”

She leaves without another word, and I am left feeling uneasy. Something is going on with her, and I don’t know what it is. But I will need to get to the bottom of it. Her entire demeanor has me on edge.