Page 147 of Love Unwritten

I lift Nico’s comforter to his chin. “No, she doesn’t.”

He looks over at Ellie. “But you did.”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

I clear my throat. “Remember how Penelope came to us and you could see her ribs?”

Nico’s bottom lip wobbles as he nods. “Yeah.”

“And she was so hungry she kept trying to eat your hair?”

That seems to break the tension. “Yeah!”

“I was like that once.”

“So hungry you could eat someone’s hair?”

My cheeks burn. “Not quite, but hungry enough that you could count my ribs too.”

Ellie gives my hand a squeeze. When she moves to pull away, Nico places his hand on top of both of ours.

My heart is full to the point of bursting. Never has it yearned for someone to the point of pain before, but something about Ellie makes me want more.

More of what, I haven’t decided yet, mostly because I’m still working through my issues, but I do know what we currently have isn’t enough.

Nico looks up at me. “I’m sorry I laughed at you.”

I kiss his forehead. “No need to say sorry. I know it can be…gross.”

Ellie’s eyes soften, and I have to look away because I can’t take the pity in her gaze.

Nico smiles. “I like that you like my germs.”

I laugh. “No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do! Maybe I’ll steal some of your food too.”

“Not if I steal it first,” Ellie says with a smile I feel straight to my heart.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Ellie

When Rafael invited me to have a nightcap on the balcony, I couldn’t refuse him, especially after the moment the three of us shared while putting Nico to bed.

Little by little, Rafael has been opening up to those closest to him, and I’m honored to witness so many big moments for him. Watching him become more comfortable with himself and his past truly is incredible.

We settle on a set of lounge chairs underneath the night sky, with the moon casting a glow over the shoreline down below.

Similar to his company, the silence is comforting, so I don’t push to start talking right away, and neither does he.

A few minutes later, Rafael is the one to break first.

“About tonight…”

I twist in my chair to see him better. “What about it?”