"No football for you, I'm afraid." She tried to laugh at the remark, but the smile leading up to it died on her lips. "And yes. Father will be annoyed, I'm certain." Maybe Marcelo would enjoy that. A part of her would, too.

Fortunately, it was easy for her to help him up, her strength getting him up as slowly and gently as she could up to his feet. "Don't worry about your weight. Just lean on me, I can handle it."