“Then I need to make some calls.”
I rounded the corner to see Elio in a pair of jeans and a damp dress shirt.
“Calm down, dear,” Andrea spoke up, as she was a few feet ahead of me. “She just needed a moment to clean up.”
When he spotted me, I saw relief rush over him.
“Hi,” I whispered, uncomfortable with the attention on me.
“Mama texted me and said she brought you here.” He came over and wrapped me in an unexpected hug. I hesitated but returned his embrace and found myself leaning my head against his shoulder. His strong arms and the smell of his skin had all kinds of feelings racing through me. “Are you hurt?”
“Just a bump, nothing that won’t heal.”
As he pulled me back to inspect my head, I noticed Andrea and Piero exchange a glance.
“She needs to eat.” His mother nodded for us
