It isn’t easy for me. “I really don’t know”
Dr. Eross turns to Giulio. “What is one thing you still love about Valencia? Something that is a reminder of who she truly is.”
“Her resilience and strength. I think she is much stronger than she gives herself credit for. Her dedication is another thing I admire. She’s far more dedicated than I ever could be.”
“So, what you’re saying is despite your separation, this is the type of woman Valencia is?”
“Correct.”
“And if I were to say, what was the core of your marriage breaking down? Do you believe it was her dedication and your incapability to grasp that dedicated hope that led to it?”
“Definitely.” Giulio’s assertiveness has me turn to him. Even his profile is attractive. That straight nose, perfectly stubbled jaw, and those mesmerizing lashes. “When you love somebody, there is no greater pain than being witness to them falling right in front of your eyes. Reaching out isn’t good enough. You need to pull them out and I was incapable of doing so.”
“Do you blame yourself?”
“Yes.”
I clear my throat. “None of this is entirely your fault. It was both of us.”
“No, maybe it is my fault.” Giulio presses his lips tightly together. “I admit it. I’m to blame. Maybe if I tried harder to believe in Addilyn we wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”
“There is no way of knowing that. There are so many other factors.”
The therapist cuts in. “What I am seeing here is a passive argument. They may be healthy, but it’s still something we should seek to eliminate. Are you both willing to change that?”
“Definitely.”
“Am I allowed to say hell yes in here?” Giulio’s question has us laugh and exchange an amused look. We agree on just about everything tonight.
“Okay, then I have two projects for you. One to tackle the arguments and the other to work on the closeness. Now, I understand you both have busy schedules, but when I say closeness I mean simmering the tension to reach the level of what you both once had.” I’m prepared for anything. “A dance lesson. I understand that everybody’s different, but dancing focuses on intimate closeness. That confident and comfortable connection is what you both need. I want you both to also try compliments. Before one feels an unnecessary argument spark, defuse it by taking note of something you love about each other. Instead of escalating a conversation, defuse it.”
Giulio and I leave therapy committed to attempting to reach a new level in our relationship. There have already been so many discoveries today and while we may not be able to assist in the process of Addilyn’s case, we can improve the way we treat each other.
When Giulio doesn’t make the first turn off to Helena’s house, confusion entraps me. “Oh, you’re not taking me home?”
“I am. I just want to take the long way.”
“And what if I had other plans, Mr.?” I playfully tease him.
“Hmmm, and what if you didn’t?”
“Well, you didn’t know that for certain, now did you?”
Giulio takes his eyes off the road. The way he sweeps his tongue over his lower lip with that hot gaze on my mouth…damn. A wide grin overtakes him. “I appreciate your courage.”
Huh? My courage?
My eyes narrow until I realize what he’s attempting to do. He’s attempting to implement Dr. Eross’ advice on saying a compliment to defuse a brewing argument. Or in this case, banter filled teasing.
I smile through my laugher. “Thanks. Now all eyes on the road, Mr. Giannotti.”
“Damn. I forgot how strict you can be.”
“Shhh, you secretly like it.”
He winks. “You know it.”
“Giulio! Eyes on the road!”
Giulio’s grin expands when he presses cruise control and turns his body towards me. Both hands leave the leather-wrapped steering wheel and rest behind his headrest, involuntarily flexing his muscular arms rather dramatically through his navy dress shirt. Not only is his gaze off the road, but EVERYTHING is! He still needs to move the car with the wheel! Those light eyes sparkle, infusing me with nothing but pure mischief. “So, darling…you were saying?”
“Smartass.”
“Huh?”
“I said smartass.”
“Huh?”
“I said I appreciate your generosity.”
“Aww, how sweet of you!”
My face brightens in amusement and we can’t help but laugh. It feels so good to be like this. At some point, Giulio leans over and kisses my forehead. When his thumb caresses over my parted lips, he whispers two words that have my entire world spin for all the right reasons.
“Soon, baby.”
There’s a burning smile resting upon my lips the remainder of the drive. Dr. Eross is right. Sometimes the best thing to do is to live in the moment and watch what happens.
This is just a phase in our life. We’re going to try again. It’s all going to be okay.
That voice inside my head comes alive…
It has to be okay.
The following day Giulio doesn’t enter until two o’clock. I already sense something’s wrong by the dark sunglasses he wears when he passes me. He never wears sunglasses inside the office; just last week he warned Marcus about it.
I follow behind and shut his office door.
Giulio’s already laid out on his sage ottoman bench with his hands covering his face. The action forces the edge of his charcoal cashmere crewneck sweater to inch higher up, exposing the smallest edge of the black band boxers I already know are Armani. His six-foot-one sculpted frame has his feet perched on either side of the bench.
“Giulio, what happened?” My brows crease and I don’t think twice before closing in and sweeping my fingers against the hem of his sweater.
He gently clasps my wrist to brush me off. “I’m okay, Lencia.”
I beg to differ.
His face clenches as if he’s in pain and that concerns me.
“Please…let me see.” I slide off his sunglasses for him and he tenses at the action.
Oh my god!
A loud gasp escapes me at the purplish red bruise across his left cheekbone. Thankfully his eyes seem okay and there’s no inflammation or deep cuts, but
