Chapter 4 Rumor Mill
Rumor Mill
“Ifeel like I haven’t seen you in forever!” Luna squeals, throwing her arms around me.
We rock back and forth in our hug and I laugh, pulling back to look at her.
“I missed you. We keep missing each other,” I say, giving her an exaggerated pout. “You, however, look amazing. Refreshed. Dare I say…glowing?”
Luna rolls her eyes as she sinks into the seat at the breakfast table.
“Don’t start.”
“You don’t start. You haven’t told me anything about you and—”
“Shh!” she hisses, glancing around like Nico might actually walk in. “Don’t say his name. I swear he shows up every time I do.”
A mauve blush rises in her cheeks, and I giggle, grabbing a snackcake from the pantry and plopping down beside her.
My phone chimes.
Santo
Real lunch today, Dea.
I sigh and type back:
Stop watching me, Santo Amato.
A second later:
Santo
Please.
I roll my eyes.
“Did you just get scolded?” Luna asks, laughing.
“Yes,” I grumble. “Santo had lunch sent for us.”
I grab the bags from from the counter; La Serenata, unpacking the containers and setting one in front of her.
“Ooo, this is so much better than snackcakes,” she says, already digging in. “Why are you complaining?”
I sigh, breaking off a piece of snackcake. “Because I was enjoying my sugar.”
Luna laughs, twirling pasta around her fork. “How do you eat like that and look like you?”
“Genetics and four-inch heels,” I say with a wink. “But enough about my eating habits. Tell me about you and the man-who-shall-not-be-named.”
She nearly chokes on her food. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“Liar,” I say, pointing my piece of snackcake at her. “I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re hiding something. You’ve been dodging my calls for weeks.”
“I’ve been busy,” she protests weakly.
“Too busy for me? Impossible.” I lean forward, resting my chin on my hand. “Come on, Luna. Spill. When did this start? How did it happen? Is he as intense in bed as he looks like he would be?”
“Vasilisa!” She covers her face with her hands, but I can see her smile through her fingers.
“What? It’s a valid question!” I pop another piece of cake in my mouth. “Seriously, though. I’m happy for you. You deserve someone who looks at you the way he does.”
Luna peeks at me through her fingers. “How does he look at me?”
“Like you’re a puzzle he can’t wait to solve. Like he’d burn the world down to keep you warm.”
She lowers her hands, a soft smile playing on her lips. “That’s... poetic.”
“I’ve been reading romance novels again,” I admit with a laugh. “But it’s true. I’ve seen the way he watches you.”
Luna stabs at her pasta. “He can watch me however he wants it’s not romance it’s…it’s just—”
“Sex?” I supply helpfully.
“Vasilisa!” She glances around again, as if Santo’s security team might be taking notes.
“What?”
“Your guard men know him! What if they say something?”
“Fair point, they’re worse gossips then us,” I concede, finally setting aside my cake to open the container of actual food. The smell of garlic and butter wafts up, making my mouth water. “But I want you to be happy. No matter who it’s with.”
“Thanks,” Luna smirks. “What about you? Is everything okay with you two?”
I wave my hand dismissively. “We’re perfect. Disgustingly happy.” I take a bite of pasta, closing my eyes briefly at how good it tastes. “I just... I lost my ring. His mother’s ring.”
Luna’s eyes widen. “Oh no. Was he upset?”
“No, actually. He was... understanding. Which almost makes it worse.” I push my food around with my fork. “I feel terrible. It means so much to him.”
“If he’s not upset, you shouldn’t be either,” Luna says gently. “You’ll find it.”
“I hope so.” I force a smile, not wanting to dwell on it. “But also there’s more…”
Luna’s brows lift. “More?”
I nod and scoot closer, covering my mouth as I whisper in her ear. “I think I might be pregnant.”
Luna pulls back. “Oh my God! Did you—”
I cover her mouth with my hand. “Eyes and ears, Luna.”
She nods.
“Have you… checked?” she asks quietly her lips trying and failing not to smile.
“No, I’m too nervous.”
“Planned?”
I nod.
“Then this is a good thing.”
“It is, but still, in the middle of war? I don’t know what we were thinking.”
“You were thinking how amazing something wonderful would be in the middle of a terrible situation.”
I take a breath and smile. “You’re right, but I still have to…”
“Pee?”
“Pee, Luna?”
“What?! You said eyes and ears; I don’t know the code words for this stuff! This has never happened to me, you know me and pills are closer than you and I.”
“I guess you’re right, the code word I’d use would be test.”
“Well you’ve gone and spoiled it Vasi, your husbands a genius, pee and test? He definitely knows now.”
I chuckle. “He’s more than likely done watching us, he’s in a meeting with Angelo.”
Luna rolls her eyes, “I’m still upset at you for that.”
“For what?”
“Not telling me he was looking for a wife, we could have been sisters and he like Latinas, hello?!” She says gesturing at herself.
I burst out into a laugh, “Luna! He’s been in love with Adriana forever. You and him were never going to happen.”
Luna laughs and throws a piece of bread at me as she heads for the fridge. “I know, but the fact remains; we’d be a hot couple.”
She grabs two bottles of water and sets one in front of me.
“You’re unhinged,” I tell her, picking up the stray bread and popping it into my mouth. “Besides, you have your own Amato boy now.”
“He’s not an Amato,” she says quickly.
“Practically is, maybe not by blood, but by bond. Same upbringing, same glare, same possessive streak, same...” I waggle my eyebrows.
Luna blushes furiously, and I know I’ve hit the mark. “You’re terrible and you just told me way too much information about Santo.”
I shrug. “And that look told me all I need to know about Nico.”
“Don’t say his name!” Her eyes shift away from mine. “We’re just... keeping each other company.”
I snort. “Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
“Can we please talk about something else?” She takes a large gulp of water. “Like your potential…” She curves her hands over her stomach in a faux belly bump. “Have you had any symptoms?”
My hand drifts to my stomach. “Maybe? I’ve been tired. And emotional. But that could just be... everything else.”
“When was your last period?”
I scoff. “I’d have to ask Santo.”
Luna’s eyes widen. “He keeps track?”
“We’ve been planning and he keeps track of everything, it’s so nice not to have to think.”
“True,” Luna says softly, her fork stabbing at her pasta.
I smirk. “True?”
She freezes.
Then turns towards me “Test with me.”
“With you? Luna, do you think you’re—”
“I said test with me!”
“Okay, okay,” I nod unable to hide my giddiness. “Let’s go test!”