Tangled In Strings

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"Is that what I look like to you?" he asks, with a hint of disbelief. His smile goes lopsided. "I've never been so scared in my life."

He says it with no conviction, almost as a sigh. It's an afterthought, something he let slip out. I can tell it is because his shoulders immediately straighten, and he begins to reach for silverware, as if what he said was just a normal passing thought. And changes the subject.

"Our reservation is for seven. It's the only time they could fit us in."

I take the silverware he's holding out. "Your name packs a pretty punch, doesn't it?"

"It has some advantages. My father hasn't ruined us completely."

"This won't last forever, Gio." I set the plate onto my lap, steeling in a breath of courage. "The company is already—I am already—"

"I know, Scarlett," he says, nodding. "I know."

I place a hand over his fork. "Well, don't sound so upset about it—"

He chuckles, pulling on his bottom lip with a smile. "You know you're the best. I know you're the best. I put my reputation in your very capable hands, baby."

I sit back with a huff, satisfied. "It's not going to be hard. Just a new line, some events, gala appearances, dinners—"

His smile widens. "Alright, let's talk about you some more. Or the baby. Anything but this."

"So, what? You want to talk about how nice the night is or something like that?"

"That's perfect conversation." He glances up into the stars. "We should go for a walk."

"Now?"

His gaze hardens. "After you've eaten."

We both begin to smile simultaneously, and his lips twist.

"I swear, Scarlett..."

I begin to grin, setting down my plate. He moves toward me and laughs, already aware of what I'm planning as I slip out of his grip and onto my feet. I discard my robe inches away from the edge of the pool and jump back into the water, sinking down to the bottom after the initial impact into the water. When I surface, he's standing at the side, his hands on his hips. His t-shirt blows into his hard stomach, rippling against the wind.

"You're such a child."

He smiles as if that statement makes him extremely happy, and then jumps in with me, fully clothed.

...

"Are you tired yet?"

I shake my head, looking out over the plummeting falls. The sky is a deep, dark color now, scattered with stars and clouds. We've been standing here, mostly in reflection for nearly a half hour. I've been trying to match up constellations, recognize patterns that seem familiar. I've found the Big Dipper, even Orion, spotting the belt first, then the rest of the scattered stars. If the falls weren't so bright, I think we'd even be able to see the Nebula below it.

We glance briefly at one another, before we continue on, walking at the leisurely slow pace, in no hurry to get back to the hotel room. We're alone, having escaped without detection from the security and due to the late hour, we've pretty much got the sidewalk to ourselves, leaving us in no fear of being discovered.

"I don't think your mother is going to be very happy about this," I say.

"No, I don't suspect she will be. She'll be appalled; convinced this was a shotgun wedding."

"A horrifying scandal," I respond, teasing. He gets a kick out of it.

"She'll insist on a cover up."