Page 60 of Vows in Sin

“Shit, I didn’t mean?—”

I growl, “You better run, girl.”

“How you gonna catch me with one arm?” She hands me another napkin, biting her lip, eyes sparkling.

And despite the awkwardness, the sting of my burns, the ache in my shoulder, and the storm in my chest, I feel alive.

“Dad. Are you okay? Looks like you took a little swim.” Tabitha’s suddenly behind my chair, glancing down at me.

Loyalty is born in truth.

I need to come clean to Tabitha. The sooner the better. I look at Seraphina. Seraphina shoots me a wary glance.

Those pleading doe eyes suck me in.

I give Seraphina a nod of agreement. I turn over my shoulder to look at my daughter with a shot of pain ricocheting up my neck. “Nothing but a little water, Tabby Cat. Cleaned me right up.”

Seraphina straightens quickly. “Excuse me,” she blurts, standing too fast. The chair scrapes.

Tabitha watches her with amused curiosity. “Everything alright?”

“I just—I forgot something in my room. It’s nothing,” Seraphina says, backing away.

“I’ll go with you,” Tabitha offers. “We can catch up.”

A good friend.

Seraphina’s gaze darts from father to daughter. It’s too much. A chat will break her. “I’m fine. Be back in a minute!”

I track her retreat with a clenched jaw, my body leaning toward her before I can stop it. “Seraphina.”

But she’s gone.

And all I can do is stare after her like a fool.

The chair beside me is empty now, and the ache inside me is a cavern.

I pat Tabitha’s hand. “I’m good. Really.” I see Cleopatra at the end of the table, beckoning Tabby over. Haze, her soon-to-be brother-in-law, is by her side, smiling in our direction.

“I think Cleo has someone she wants you to meet.” I stand, wrapping Tabby in a quick side hug. As soon as she’s gone, I follow Seraphina out.

I don’t even look back to see if anyone is watching.

I find her on the balcony, gazing out over the lake. The moonlight creates white lines diagonally across the water. She sits on a carved white bench, looking like an angel, her pinned-up curls blowing in the night breeze.

I stand in the doorway, watching her. Finally, I nod at the space beside her. “Can I sit?”

“Sure.” She scoots, making more room.

I plop down on the bench, our arms pressed together. I let myself revel in the feeling. Finally, I cross that painful bridge. “I know the real reason you’re here.”

“To help with my friend’s wedding?” she scoffs. “Thank goodness I came when I did. Emilia says?—"

I hold up a hand to stop her. “Don’t lie to me.”

“What are you talking about?” Her brows knit. She looks genuinely confused.

I turn to face the lake. The mountains rise from behind the waters, their massive presence grounding me. “Miss Fifi told me you’ve come to Italy chasing a man.”