Page 53 of Love Unwritten

He scoffs. “Right.”

“Are you doubting me?”

“Not you.”

“Then who?”

“Me.” His cutting word slices through me, and I reach over and give his tense bicep a squeeze.

The little tingle spreading up my arm from the contact forces me to let go all too soon. “Things will get better.”

“How? It’s not like his condition is going to improve.”

“No, but you both can face the unknown together. As a team.”

Rafael’s scowl melts away. “We haven’t felt like one lately.”

His words drill a hole through my chest. “That might be true, but it doesn’t mean you can’t become one again.”

His long exhale fills the quiet.

“Just trust me.”

His gaze connects with mine, and for the briefest second, I get a glimpse of the man who hides his fears and hurt behind hard stares and endless scowls.

I see him, and damn, I’m hit with the urge to pull him into a hug and promise him that everything will be okay.

But then I remember how easily he cast me aside, and whatever desire I had to comfort him is replaced by an urgency to protect myself from getting hurt again.

I look away and clear my throat. “Ready?”

He nods.

I knock a second time.

“I said to go away!” Nico shouts loud enough to be heard clearly through the door.

“I could do that, but then you’d miss out on joining your dad and me for the best birthday pancakes in the whole wide world.”

Rafael’s head swivels toward me. “I thought you hated pancakes.”

“He doesn’t know that.” And frankly, I didn’t realize Rafael did since he usually makes them on Saturdays when I’m not here.

“Ellie?” Nico’s squeal draws a smile from me.

I open the door to find him rushing to put on his glasses. It has only been a week since I last saw him, but the days felt longer.

Something clicks into place in my chest, as if a missing piece of my heart is being returned to its rightful spot. I never thought becoming Nico’s nanny would lead to a love so strong, but it did.

I never want to put myself in a position to risk our relationship again. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way, so from here on out, I’m going to be cautious for both our sakes.

“Ellie!” Nico jumps off his bed and throws himself into my waiting arms. “You’re back!”

I brace myself for another one of Rafael’s frowns, which always appear whenever Nico shows me any kind of affection, but his face bears a neutral expression instead.

A drastic improvement, to say the least.

Maybe there is hope for him after all.