That smile slowly died and she took another sip of tea. Her eyes were watery as she looked all around her. Finally she settled her attention on the grand piano next to the floor to ceiling windows.
“My son plays the piano. Did he tell you?” She asked, her tone rising.
“He plays for me all the time,” I confirmed.
“Yes, of course… I’m sorry, I don’t recall your name.”
I offered her a half-hearted smile. “Sean.”
She whispered my name and dabbed at her mouth again. I couldn’t help feeling awkward about the whole thing.
“He’s very good at it,” she said absently. “I wish his father…”
She didn’t say anything further, just proceeded to stare at the carpet between her feet. I could hear Matteo talking in the kitchen, his words clipped.
I motioned to her cup. “Can I get you a refill, Mrs. Fernandez?”
“Oh, yes please. Thank you, Sean.”
I took the mug from her and retreated to the kitchen. Matteo was sitting on one of the stools, hunched over the island and staring at the marble with his phone still in his hand. He noticed me and slid off his seat. I closed the distance between us and hugged him close.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered against my shoulder, his voice raw.
“You have nothing to apologize for—”
He rolled his head against me so we were eye to eye and I drowned myself in his beautiful brown eyes that looked at me as if I was the most important thing in his life. “I’m sorry that you never got the chance to reconnect with your parents.”
I sighed and focused on his solid warmth. “But you do.”
“Mr. Salvatore is on his way. He’s going to take care of everything. I would like a relationship with my mother, but I need time. I can’t just erase everything that has happened.”
I held him at arm’s length, beyond proud to be his boyfriend. “Don’t you think you should tell her this?”
“I know, I’m not looking forward to it, however.” He glanced toward the living room and moved away from me.
“Wait,” I said and pulled him into a sweet kiss, tasting the salt of his tears. “Love you.”
“Love you more.”
“I don’t know about that,” I said and pushed a lock behind his ear. “I think I love you more. Actually, I’m certain of it.”
He smiled radiantly, sending my heart fluttering. “Spar over it later?”
“You betcha.”
He made his way to the living room, and I slipped my butt into the stool he’d been sitting on. It would be a lie to say this whole thing didn’t affect me. I could tell myself not having my parents in my life didn’t bother me, but it was untrue. He was lucky to have this opportunity and I’d make sure he didn’t miss it.
The hour slipped by as I brewed some more tea and tried not to eavesdrop. My worst fear was Mrs. Fernandez saying something that hurt Matteo. Eventually, Mr. Salvatore arrived, looking spectacular as he always did. He joined me in the kitchen along with Matteo.
“Has your father attempted to make contact? This is why I insisted you let me file a restraining order,” he snarled.
“Mr. Salvatore, can I offer you some of my world famous, yummy tea?” I asked, offering him a clay mug.
He looked like he wanted to decline but accepted the mug with a curt thanks.
“She isn’t here because of him. Believe me, we’d know. Besides, he’d never use her like that. He doesn’t want to lure me back into the family. He wants to annihilate me.”
“Good point,” the lawyer said and sipped at the mug. With a frown, he mumbled, “This is actually good.”
