“Oh.” That’s all he says. I turn back around and watch him standing nervously by the door. He runs his hand through his hair and pulls on it a little—his telltale sign that he’s anxious. “Listen, Iz,” he begins, but then the others walk through the door that leads to the kitchen.
“Gio, how nice to see you,” Bash says then turns to Lo. “Pay up, bitch.”
“You had to show up, didn’t you?” Lo grumbles but takes his wallet out and slaps money into Bash’s hand.
“You told me it was family dinner? Did I not have to come?” Gio sounds slightly annoyed.
“You most certainly had to come. I ordered it.” Sofia goes and gives Gio a hug.
He hugs her back and gives her a smile. “I wouldn’t have come if Bash ordered it, but since it was you, well, I want to keep my balls where they are.”
She slaps his arm as she laughs. “Now why would you think your manhood would be in danger? I’m not the kind of girl to cause physical harm to others.” She says the words sweetly, and she almost sounds innocent.
“You forget what I’ve witnessed you do. I think you’re more dangerous than Bash.”
“Watch what you say about your boss,” Bash’s grave voice says from behind her. I can’t help but watch this play out. Part of me relishes the fact Gio just pissed off the most dangerous man I know. The other part, the part I hate, tenses up with worry at the man it still loves.
“Come on, Bash,” Gio starts with a chuckle. “You’re living, breathing danger. Sofia, on the other hand, is sweet and innocent, yet deadly. She’s the type who will smile and laugh, but if you cross her, she will put a bullet between your eyes before you even realize that you need to be on guard. That’s way more dangerous.”
There is silence in the room.
My heart starts beating faster. The part that still loves him is winning out. My body aches to step forward and protect him. I barely hold myself back.
Bash steps in front of Gio. After another tense moment, he claps Gio on the shoulder as he begins to laugh. “You’re right, brother. My queen is more dangerous than any man. Like a siren, she will pull you in and lead you to your death.”
They continue to laugh and talk as they make their way to their seats.
I let out the breath I had been holding. My heart is still beating erratically, so I turn and walk into the kitchen to give myself a minute to calm down.
“You okay, bambina?” Nonna Rosa asks as she goes to walk into the dining room with the salad and bread.
“Yes, Nonna. Just needed a minute. Let me take the salad.”
She pauses. “Does this have to do with Giovanni? I hear them talk, you know.”
I want to ask what she knows. I want to know if he still feels the way I feel. My stubborn side won’t let me though.
“No, tonight is just going to be overwhelming with the announcement.”
We let Nonna Rosa in on the announcement since she will be helping serve dessert.
She frowns. “You can hide from him all you want, but I can see the way you look at him. Honey, it’s the same way he looks at you. I don’t know why you’re fighting it, but give in. You’re wasting precious time with him by holding on to this anger. You never know how much longer you have left.”
The sadness in her voice speaks to the same sadness inside. My eyes prickle as I think about her words. She’s right. One minute you’re here, and the next you could be gone. Life can change in an instant. I know that better than most.
Even knowing this, I still don’t know if I can forgive him. If I can give him a second chance.
“Here.” She shoves the salad into my hands. “Collect yourself and deliver the salad. I will take the bread out.”
She leaves me alone in the kitchen. I want to be okay. I want to be able to give him another chance. The problem is that my head and heart are at war, and I cannot seem to find my way out.
∞∞∞
“Dinner was a great idea,tesoro. I think the guys and I will go have a cigar while you ladies have dessert.”
Dinner passed by rather uneventfully. When I came back into the dining room, the seating arrangements had already been set. Bash sat at the head with Sofia at his side. Next to her, Mia and Lo sat. To the right of Bash sat Gio with Matt one chair down from him, leaving an empty place between them obviously for me.
I hesitated to take the seat but did so anyway. Tonight isn’t about me and my messed-up feelings. It’s about Mia. I look over to her now. She looks nervous.
