Page 24 of Love Unwritten

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Page 24 of Love Unwritten

“If you change your mind, you’ll always have a room available here.” Willow hugs me. She made the same offer when we moved back to Lake Wisteria after Ava hurt me.

I return her embrace. “I know.”

“I could even get a new mattress to sweeten the deal.”

I laugh despite the tears building behind my eyelids. “Save the money for your wedding. You’re going to need it with your taste.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Rafael

After staying up until way too late last night working on another 3D superhero for Nico’s collection, I struggle to get out of bed. I’ve never been a morning person, but Ellie is—

Shit.

For a second, I selfishly wish Ellie were still here to help me. It’s a stupid thought, and I beat myself up over the compulsive reaction as I crawl out from underneath the comforter and head downstairs to prepare Nico’s breakfast.

After last night, pancakes feel like the best choice, so I gather the ingredients and get to work on making Nico’s favorite meal. Usually, I stick to making a big breakfast on Saturdays, when Ellie is gone for the day, but today calls for something special.

Bribery.

I get so caught up in thinking about how to break the news to Nico that I end up burning two in the process. If Ellie were here, she’d shoo me out of my own kitchen and take over my task because, unlike me, she enjoys cooking. She even looks forward to learning new recipes while I stick to the tried-and-true family favorites of green spaghetti, mole, pozole, and filet mignon straight from the grill.

The earlier pang in my chest at the memory of Ellie returns with a vengeance, and I busy myself with preparing Nico’s lunchbox to distract myself until it’s time to wake him up.

Nico groans and yanks his comforter over his head when I open the blinds, reminding me of myself.

“I made you pancakes.” I lift the comforter and tickle the bottoms of his feet.

“Stop!” he hisses while kicking his feet out.

“Not until you get out of bed.”

He huffs and puffs as he rolls out of bed with a terrible case of bedhead and a scary frown.

“For someone who is about to eat blueberry pancakes, you sure are grumpy.”

His eyes narrow. “With whipped cream?”

“Yes.”

“And strawberries?”

“You like those?” I feign ignorance.

His head drops back with a groan.

I steer him toward the door. “Of course I added strawberries. Like I could ever forget your favorite.”

He silently follows behind me, and I brace myself as we walk past Ellie’s room. The same sick feeling of dread returns, my steps subconsciously slowing until Nico passes by me. I’m so distracted that I don’t notice the door was left ajar until Nico throws it open.

“Ellie?” He takes a step inside and halts. “Are you here? Dad made pancakes.”

Unlike Nico, I haven’t been inside Ellie’s room since the day she moved in, but I can quickly tell something is off. From the empty closet full of hangers to the house key left on top of the dresser, hints of Nico’s previous nanny remain, although her belongings do not.

“Where’s Ellie’s stuff?” Nico looks up at me with pinched brows.

I don’t answer him, mainly because I’m not sure how to. The last thing I expected was for Ellie to sneak out in the middle of the night, but then again, I didn’t give her a reason to stick around.




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