#Chapter 43 – Always Go Home Again

Christian climbs out of the shower and wraps a towel around his waist, still dripping wet as he reaches for his phone on the bedside table. There, he texts Bianca. Christian: Have time for your favorite step-son today, B? Her reply is almost instant, as it always is. Bianca: Anytime, boy. Come on by. It takes about twenty minutes for Christian to get fully pressed and dressed, but by the time he steps out of his room he’s steeled in his determination. He pulls the bedroom door shut behind him as he finishes buttoning his suit coat, his eyes going immediately to the kitchen, where Iris stands behind the counter and Nico and Frankie sit on stools, coffee in each of their hands, a half-eaten muffin on a plate in front of Frankie. “Is there any more of that coffee?” Christian asks, his voice stern but not angry. “Always,” Iris answers, moving immediately to the coffee machine to pour him a cup. Christian fights hard against his smile and wins as he crosses the room in time to take t