Chapter Thirty-one
The sun was the next thing to wake Mia. Her eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the light as it streamed in, and she saw the empty spot beside her.
She sat up, saddened, when a voice called out, “What’s wrong, beautiful?” Aurelio walked past the curtain.
Mia’s face lit up; her smile was wide at seeing him in the sunshine. “You stayed?”
“Of course.” He leaned down to kiss her temple. “Your brothers and I just got back from a run.” He pointed to all three of her brothers dressed in their jogging shorts and tanks with sweat on their brows.
“Oh,” Mia said, catching Melvin’s eyes and smiling at him. He smiled back and gave her a small nod, turning toward the bathroom. “That’s awesome.”
Aurelio kissed her again as a fight broke out between her brothers over who got to shower first.
“I’m the oldest; it’s me,” Melvin insisted, slipping in and closing the door.
Mia and Aurelio laughed. “You went out the front door?” she asked, realizing if he had gone for a run, he left and came back to her apartment.
“Yeah. I don’t know; I feel freer already. I don’t want to hide anymore.”
Mia’s smile grew. This was a good first step. She was happy he felt that way; she wanted to shout to the world about their love. She glanced at the time as she grabbed her glasses. A quarter to eight.
“Shit.” She remembered her appointment with Detective Daniels.
“What’s wrong?” Aurelio asked, moving to grab some clothes; he kept a few spare items in her room for when he stayed over.
“I have an appointment with Detective Daniels.” Aurelio’s face fell into a hard line. “About the break-in.”
“Okay,” he said calmly. “What about it?”
“Well, they found some fingerprints and need me to tell them who is in and out of my place so they can rule them out.”
“And mine will be in there.”
“Yeah,” she confirmed, fear of his reaction making her apprehensive.
Aurelio let out a sigh. The quiet conversation had intrigued Mikey and Matty, who were leaning on the island, listening in. Mia rolled her eyes at them, giving them a fuck off look. They both sat back, and Mikey started whistling.
“It’s fine. Tell him.”
“What?”
“Tell him. Tell him my name and that I am in and out all the time.” Aurelio was calm, and Mia was confused.
“But…”
Aurelio put his hands on her waist. “I told you; I’m done hiding you. I meet with the boss tonight, and I’m out, Mia.” He kissed her, all the pent-up anxiety being released between their lips.
She smiled into the kiss, tasting freedom. “Okay. Okay!” Mia let out an excited squeal, making her brothers peer over, confused.
“You didn’t propose over there, right?” Matty called, and Mikey smacked his shoulder.
“Oh no,” Aurelio assured. “It will be way more special than this when I do.”
“Oooohhhhh,” both boys called out, giving whoops with their fists in the air.
Mia rolled her eyes, but her mind was lost in those words. “When?” she inquired shyly.
Yes, beautiful.” Aurelio smiled, kissing her again. “Definitely when.”