62. Chapter Sixty-Two

I sit outside at the bistro set on the patio off the library with a book in my hand, but I can't focus on it. My mind doesn't want to focus on anything, and I'm considering going to sleep because of it.

The heavy-duty pedestal fan blows my hair around, and I reach for my water to take a sip. Sitting out here in the fresh air helps my nausea, which makes little sense considering it's so damn hot, but hey? Maybe my baby is going to love the sun. Maybe Enzo and I can take it on trips to the beach, like a normal family would.

Only when I picture that, I envision Rafael there too. Regardless of who fathered this baby, I hope they're both there to raise it.

"Mind if I sit?"

I glance up, shielding my eyes from the bright sun.

Speak of the devil.

"Not at all."

I close the book and put it on the table as Rafael takes a seat across from me.

I expected him to talk to me eventually, but I didn't think it would be so soon. It was only a few hours ago Enzo and I gave him, seemingly, the worst news of his life. Guess Enzo does know him pretty well, and space isn't what Rafael needs. Funny thing for a man who can't handle commitment.

"This heat isn't bothering you?" he asks.

"Surprisingly, it's making me feel better. Morning sickness has been killer. Though, I'm not sure why they call it that, considering it lasts all damn day."

"They should come up with a better name for it," he agrees with a nod. "What are you reading?" He gestures to the book I placed face down on the table.

I hold it up. "Pride and Prejudice."

He sucks in a breath. "I've seen the movie."

"Which one?"

His eyes widen, and he looks like he's been caught with his hand in the cookie jar before dinner. "There's more than one?"

"Many," I say with a little laugh.

"Uh, well, it was the one with the girl from Star Wars."

"Had a feeling. That's a popular one."

"Is it the best one?"

I shrug. "In my opinion, yes. But I like the actor who plays Mr. Darcy in that one, so I guess I'm biased."

"What other movies do you like?"

"Did Enzo send you out here?" I ask instead of answering his question. I should stop blurting things out but can't seem to stop.

He frowns. "No."

"Sorry," I say, rubbing my forehead. "I just—I don't know. I don't want you to feel forced to talk to me if you don't want to."

"If I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't be. Both in this house and here with you right now."

I nod, taking another sip of water. "All right. Good to know."

"So, movies? Top five."

"Oh, no. I have to pick only five?"

"Yep, right now. Lightning round." He drums his hands on the table, smiling as he points at me.

I laugh. "Oh my god, this is hard. Uh, Mean Girls. White Chicks. Coyote Ugly. Clueless. Beauty and the Beast—the cartoon, not the live action."

"One of these things is not like the rest. What the hell?" He laughs heartily.

I shrug. "It was my favorite when I was a kid, and I never grew out of it."

"And now here you are. Trapped in this castle with the beast…" He raises a brow, holding his breath. "Too soon?"

I shake my head. "No, it's true. Funny, actually. It's like I knew what my life would be and prepared for it." I make a show of looking around. "Too bad the furniture doesn't come to life. I always did have a thing for a French accent."

He barks out a laugh. "Don't let Vincenzo hear you say that. He's got it out for the croissant-lovers."

Now I laugh, and it feels good. Rafael is funny, but I already knew that. He's charming. I found that out when I spoke to him at the beginning of the key party, before I knew who he was.

"So I guess it's a good thing Belle falls in love with Beast in the end," he continues when I don't say anything.

"Maybe that's why I'm okay being here."

"Or it could be something else," he says carefully, and I wonder what he's going to come up with now. His tone has changed a little. Less light and a little more careful. Like he may offend me.

"Like what?"

He shakes his head. "I don't know. Never really knew how to explain it. Something about Vincenzo just makes you feel…"

"Safe?"

He nods. "Yeah, safe. And wanted. He has this way of looking at you."

"You'd know if he didn't want you here because he wouldn't look at you at all."

"He wouldn't even breathe in your direction."

I smile. "Yeah…"

"I'm sorry this happened the way it did, but are you happy now?"

I shrug again, reaching for my water. The glass is full of condensation, all the ice melted, and it's turning warm. "I think I am. I don't hate it. I've accepted my life won't be like I'd planned, but nothing ever goes to plan, does it? I've known Enzo my whole life, and maybe this is how it's supposed to be? He isn't mean to me. The exact opposite, honestly." I shake my head again. "I don't hate it."

"Good," he says firmly. "Because I wouldn't like it if you were unhappy."

I look up, catching his bright green gaze. They're like two giant emerald orbs. Gorgeous and so rare.

"What are your top five favorite movies?" I ask, ready to change the subject. How will I ever accept my life and move on if I can't stop talking about it?

"John Wick one, two, three, and four. Knock Knock."

"Wow, and I thought all five would be Keanu Reeves' movies."

He chuckles. "They are."

"Oh," I giggle. "Knock Knock sounds scary."

"It's a thriller. So, close. You wanna go watch it?"

"Right now?" I question as he stands.

"Yeah, why not?"

I glance at my phone. "It's almost time for dinner."

He holds his hand out. "I'll let Enzo know to have it served in the theater."

My eyes widen. "We can do that?" I whisper.

He smirks and urges his hand toward me. "We can do whatever the hell we want."

I gather my things, take his hand, and exit through the library, almost bumping into Enzo on the way out. He looks us over carefully, focusing on where Rafael is holding my hand. He raises a brow at me, and turns to give Rafael a look that says he isn't sure Rafael and I being together like this is a good idea.

"We're going to watch a movie. Can you have dinner brought in there?" Rafael asks.

"You two are going to watch a movie?" Enzo questions, as if the thought is insane. "Together?"

Rafael throws his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to his side. I roll my lips between my teeth to stop from laughing. "Yeah. Jordan's never seen Knock Knock."

Enzo rolls his eyes. "He's obsessed with Keanu Reeves," he comments.

"Can you blame me? The guy is not only gorgeous, but he has a heart of gold."

"I guess it's a good thing we limited the list of movies to five," I mutter.

It's not that I don't like Keanu Reeves, he's a great actor, I'm just not into those types of movies.

"You won't get out of it so easily," Rafael says, tugging me along. "We have nothing better to do." I glance over my shoulder and find Enzo watching us with a smirk. For a minute, I thought he would be upset. Jealous even.

"So, I heard you fired the real beast of the castle," Rafael says as we make our way down the hallway.

"Huh?"

"Bernice?"

"Oh, that. Yeah, she was, uh… not nice."

"A royal bitch. You can say it."

"Yeah, that," I say with a laugh.

We go into the theater and instead of sitting where Enzo does, Rafael moves to the middle couch on the other side.

"Margot, play Knock Knock!" he calls out.

I look around, wondering who the hell Margot is.

"Knock Knock will start shortly," a soft voice returns.

Enzo turns to me, humor in his eyes. My expression must give away my shock.

"She's the house's smart system. Didn't you know?"

"Um, no?" I say with a lot of enthusiasm.

"That's because Vincenzo is spoiled and has all these things but doesn't use them. She's available in every room and can do a ton of stuff."

"Would have been nice to know," I mutter.

The screen turns on and a moment later the title screen comes up, as if someone shoved in a DVD.

"Does it play DVDs?"

"All the movies are in a cloud system. More than you can imagine. Bet you couldn't name a movie it doesn't have."

"Whoa. I had no idea."

"Check this out," he whispers, leaning close to me. "Margot, I request popcorn!"

"Popcorn has been requested," the same soft voice answers.

"No way," I whisper.

"She sends requests to whatever staff is on duty."

"How the hell have I been here this long and didn't know this?"

About five minutes later, the movie has started and one of the staff walks in with a large bowl of popcorn.

"Just the way you like it, Mr. D'Argo. Extra butter."

"Thank you, Cecille," he sing-sings, taking the bowl.

Cecille lets us know to call if we need anything else. Rafael places the bowl between us and I take a handful. The movie starts a few minutes later, and I'm pulled in from the very beginning.

I understand why he likes it so much. I can't look away. Maybe Rafael has changed my mind about Keanu Reeves' movies. And helped me feel better about being here at all.