On our drive back, Robbie couldn't stop smiling.
"What's with that look?" I asked suspiciously.
"Told you my mum was amazing," he said smugly.
I rolled my eyes. "She really is. And so graceful and kind. She doesn't have that… Alpha prejudice most people carry."
"She never did," Robbie said proudly. "It's what makes her, her."
"Can we… meet her again?" I asked, almost sheepishly.
He snorted. "Look at that, Mum scored herself two loyal fans in one afternoon. She's usually traveling for her design business, but yeah. We'll find time."
I leaned back in the seat, finally feeling full. Twen had already nodded off in the back seat, exhausted after all the attention and sugar. I was tired too, but the kind of tired that comes after a good day and peace.
We reached my place, and Robbie carried Twen inside, gently putting him to bed. I changed into pajamas, then stepped back into the living room to find Robbie pulling on his overcoat.
"You're leaving already?" I asked, disappointed.
"Yeah," he said, distractedly checking his phone. "Meeting's on Monday."
"I see…"
Robbie glanced up. "To be honest, I don't want to go. Something feels off. I have this gnawing instinct to stay."
I blinked. "You're just nervous. You'll do fine, dummy. You're a workaholic with a genius streak, you'll pull it off."
He chuckled but didn't look convinced. "I'm confident in Jane. She's a great assistant. Still... I wish I could stay."
Then, seriously, he stepped close and cupped my face.
"Tony, promise me. If anything happens, you'll tell me. I don't care if it seems trivial. Don't shut me out."
His intensity startled me. "I promise," I said softly.
He kissed my forehead, lingered for a moment, then stepped away with reluctance.
At the time, I thought he was overreacting, getting paranoid from stress.
I wish I had listened more closely. Because Robbie's instinct was dead-on.