“Mom, the man has Sally locked in his garage!” Ace announces.
Stefano plants himself beside Morgan and throws up his hands in surrender. “Guilty as charged.” He chuckles but I don’t miss the searching glance he darts to Ace before he meets my stare. “Hello, Avery.”
His dark brown gaze bores into me as he straightens his tie.
“Hey, thanks so much for bringing back the little explorer.” I tuck a flyaway hair behind my ear, unsure how to troubleshoot the errors I might’ve made with him. “This is Ace, by the way, my son.”
His brow furrows slightly.
I don’t miss the quick glance he flits to my left hand.
After our ChatVideo meeting on Monday following my marriage bomb-drop, I knew he’d had more questions about my husband and my bare ring finger. Still, I pressed on with the meeting, determined to prove I wasn’t too young and naive to run a business. Maturity isn’t determined by age or time. Not that we were ever in a position to share personal details about our lives.
But now, I’ve got a son, too?
He must have a million questions.
Graciously, though, he doesn’t broach any of them now.
Stefano’s expression softens.
“Nice to meet you, Ace. I’m Stefano.” He gives him a hardy handshake. “Your Auntie Mo…” He flashes Morgan a confirming glance, waiting for her nod before he continues. “She’s marrying my brother.”
My son is uninterested until I add, “They’re together like Lightning and Sally,” without realizing, it might be a dead giveaway that I’d eavesdropped on their conversation.
After Ace hugs his Auntie, Morgan takes him inside for one more bathroom stop before we get on the road for her dress-shopping appointment.
Then, I’m alone with Stefano.
Silence thickens between us for an awkward beat.
Neither of us knows what to say. We’re so used to bickering, proving our loyalty to Morgan and Dante. How should we act when we’re not at each other’s throats?
Or when the other has just shown your son a considerable kindness when he thought no one was looking?
He straightens his tie again. Then he looks at me thoughtfully.
I feel him scrutinizing my face.
A prickling sensation scatters along the back of my neck. My thoughts race, urging me to regain control of the situation before I spiral down thegood girlfantasy hole.
“I hear it’s going to be a full house at the bridal boutique.” He flashes me a smile that might as well be an olive branch, the way I latch on to it.
I’m the first to break eye contact.
“Oh, yeah.” I exaggerate a sigh, glancing up to the house. “Both mothers, the Sister Circle, plus Ace. Let’s pray there’s champagne on the premises.”
Our combined laughter is stilted and careful, like we’re both holding back for the other’s sake.
I get this unrelenting urge to get this weight off my chest.
“Listen, Stefano, I know we’ve got another ChatVideo meeting this afternoon, but I just want to take a second and tell you how much I appreciate you talking cars with Ace.”
When he looks at me, I search his eyes, hoping my words feels as genuine as I intend them to be.
“He’s a great kid.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
