Chapter 315
They kept talking on the phone for a while, jumping from one thing to another—pretty much everything—before Stephanie finally hung up. When Stephanie stepped out of the sunroom, she spotted Macro still hanging around in the hall. One glance at him, and her headache slammed back full force. She didn’t have the energy for a single word from that guy.
Frowning, she swerved to avoid him, acting like he wasn’t even there. But Macro’s eyes were too sharp. “Hey, Stefi! I’ve got something to tell you,” he called, waving her over. She sped up, head down, darting toward the side hall like she didn’t hear a thing. She’d rather choke than deal with Macro’s nonsense right now.
He wasn’t giving up, though. Long steps closed the distance, his voice pushy. “Listen, you rascal, I’m trying to help you out here!” Stephanie’s lip twitched hard. Help? Yeah, right—she felt the doubt hit her like a tidal wave. This guy, help her? She’d bet her last buck he’d screw her over and call it a win.
Macro didn’t even hesitate. He shoved a box into Stephanie’s hands, wiped his palms, and said, “Here, take this.” “What’s this?” Stephanie looked down, confused. It was a pink box, covered in fancy English words, looking way too slick and polished. She’d never seen anything like it, but one peek at the text, and her brain just stopped—face locked up, jaw stuck. Macro had seriously handed her adult stuff.
“You—I—What’s your deal?” she stumbled over her words, barely getting them out. “Aren’t you worried about Sebastian flipping out if he catches wind of this?” she demanded. Macro just shrugged, cool as ever. “No need to thank me. Just doing my doctor thing. You and Sebastian heading back to Fiorenza? Gotta ease into it, you know.”
“You’re not pulling some wild power move, like using a baby as leverage, right?” He got real serious, adding, “I’m telling you, Mrs. Mr. Lucano sees you as her own kid. Don’t go all reckless with this.”
Chapter 815
Stephanie’s mouth twitched, a vein practically throbbing in her forehead. She stared at Macro, words gone, all her carefully constructed composure crumbling. This idiot was about to make her pack out. “You’re a doctor, yeah, but you’re still a dude,” she forced out through gritted teeth. Macro blinked, thrown off.
“Shouldn’t you be giving this to Sebastian instead?” she snapped, shooting him a death glare. And yet, he was handing it to her like it was no big deal. Now Stephanie wondered how Macro’s brain even functioned. It hit her he was single because he chose to be. Great looks, top-notch doctor skills, but that mouth and zero social sense? No wonder no girl in Fiorenza would go near him.
Macro scratched his head. “Give it to Sebastian? You want him to kill me? Stefi, don’t be ungrateful—I’m trying to help you out here.” Stephanie was at a loss. Macro frowned. “What’s that look supposed to mean? You seriously gonna brush off my good vibes?” She forced a tight, fake smile. “Thanks. Really appreciate it.”
“No biggie,” he waved it off. “I’ve known you forever, watched you grow up. Just giving you a heads-up.” Stephanie had nothing left. “Wait—did you take birth control?” Macro tossed out, totally random. Her brain flatlined. The box was already a lot—now he’s bringing up birth control? The words slammed into her like a shockwave, scrambling her thoughts. She stared at him, dazed, lost in his whirlwind of nonsense.
Macro pushed, frowning. “You didn’t?” “No!” She waved her hands like crazy. “I haven’t!” After her injury, she’d come straight back from Mount Spring, hadn’t even stepped outside. She didn’t have the time to get birth control, thinking her luck wouldn’t be that awful. Macro slapped his forehead, over-the-top dramatic. “Oh, you’re so screwed. Totally done.” Her eyes went wide. “Who gets lucky on the first go?”
He nodded all wise-like, playing the guru. “Lots of people. If you’re good to go, one try’s usually all it takes.” Stephanie went silent, her mind wiped clean. Macro’s mouth was a headache factory. Now she didn’t know what to do.
Chapter 315
“Lucky with what?” Sebastian’s voice cut through from the stairs, low and annoyed. Stephanie jolted, shoving the box behind her back. Her heart kicked into high gear. Macro looked up, catching Sebastian on the landing. His face went pale, lips twitching. “I—I didn’t say anything!” he stammered, then took off running like a scared kid in a slasher flick.
Stephanie watched him bolt, brain fried, dying to yank him back by the shirt. She screamed inside, ‘Run all you want, but take your dumb box with you! What am I supposed to do with this thing?’ The hall went quiet, just her and Sebastian now. He came down the stairs, closing in, and stuck out a hand. “Give it.”
“Huh? Give what?” She blinked, playing dumb with a quick lash flutter. His eyes pinned her, dark and steady. “Whatever you’re hiding behind your back.” Stephanie froze in hesitation.