Page 79 of Under Her Skin

“Come on, open the card, I want to know who they arefrom.”

Noosh rolled her eyes and picked up the envelope. It was expensive paper, heavy, the color of thick cream, and the writing was flowing and confident.Noosh…

She caught a faint hint of fresh linen coming off the paper, and her heart began to beat faster. She pulled out the letterinside.

Christo had written only a few words, but they made her headspin.

Lovely Noosh,

Icannot beginto tell you my happiness at seeing you again. I have wanted to apologize for my appalling behavior that night for months, and now it doesn’t seem enough to say I’msorry.

My one regret in life is ever letting you go that night. Can you forgiveme?

Please, if you would like, please callme.

For my part, I cannot stop thinking aboutyou.

Yours always,

ChristofaloMontecito

Her knees shook,her legs felt weak. He was so formal, almost old-fashioned.I cannot stop thinking about you. Nor I you,she thought and grinned toherself.

“Well?”

She had forgotten Liam was in the room. She smiled at him. “From Mr. Montecito, thanking me for looking after him and Mr. Franklin-Hart yesterday. That was sweet ofhim.”

Liam grinned. “I knew it. I knew some rich mukety-muck would take one look at you and want to sweep you off your feet. And he’s dreamy,too.”

“Dreamy?” Noosh hooted as Liam rolled his eyes. “What are you, six-years-old?”

“So cynical. Okay then, he’s very fuckable, is thatbetter?”

“Much.”

Liam hopped onto her desk and studied her. “You should get onthat.”

For a second, Noosh wondered how Liam would react if she told him she had already ‘gotten on that.’ No. That was her secret, hers andChristo’s.

“Did he ask you to call him? I bet hedid.”

“Mind your ownbeeswax.”

“Huh?”

“Nevermind.”

After that,Noosh couldn’t concentrate on anything else. She kept re-reading the note, feeling like a lovesick schoolgirl, but still, she couldn’t bring herself to pick up the phone. What the hell would shesay?

One decision she did make was to get rid of the wheelchair, no matter what Ally said. Noosh had brought her cane in with her today, and although her back was painful, it felt good to work her muscles, which were almost atrophying from lack of use. She made sure she walked everywhere today and told herself it wasn’t just because she felt like she needed to get things…going. Working. Just in case she needed to expend some extra energy…maybe…hopefully…

It was five p.m. when Liam called up from reception. “Honey, there’s a delivery for you, but the guy says you need to sign for itpersonally.”

“God, does he look like a processserver?”

“No, sweets. Can you comedown?”

“Be rightthere.”