“Look at her. She’s smiling,” I say. “I think she can pick up on our emotions.”
He snakes his arm around my waist. “She’s a baby, not a mood detector. She’s just fussy like her mom.”
I gently elbow him in the ribs.
“What was that for? It’s what your mom said.”
“Remember what my mom said when I told her about you?Him? Are you sure?” I imitate my mom’s shocked voice. “You can do better than that.”
That was all before I could explain that Salvatore was no longer the kid she remembered.
“Maybe she was right about that.”
I turn around to face him. “No, that’s not the point! My mom says dumb things! You’re the best thing that has happened to me. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” The corners of his lips lift up.
I shift so I can press my lips against his.
“I still can’t believe this is real,” he says. “I didn’t expect to get this lucky or this happy.”
“I know the feeling.”
For a long time, I didn’t really know where I belonged. Trying to keep peace between my brothers was exhausting, and maybe I was doing it just because I was terrified of what the future might hold for me.
I didn’t want to end up stuck in a loveless marriage with some mafia guy my brother or my family chose for me, but I also didn’t know what else to do.
Salvatore showed up in my life again at just the right moment. If he hadn’t caught me that night I was helping Enzo, we wouldn’t be here right now. I wouldn’t have my little family and my biggest happiness.
I got really, really lucky, and I hope my luck will last.
I have Salvatore and my daughter, and I won’t let anything take them away from me.
* * *
