“There isn’t a way for us to be together. We both agreed to hide it.”
“I’m so sorry.” My heart broke for her. Imagine sneaking kisses in a dark alley. I couldn’t live like that.
“You’ll keep our secret from Fabio, right? My brother can be intimidating, but you can’t tell him.”
“No worries. After I fulfill our arrangement, I’ll probably move away.”
“Really? Why?” She seemed relieved but also sad. “My brother likes you a lot.”
“It would be weird going back to work for him. And I wouldn’t need to after he pays me.” Where I’d go was the question, I’d been asking myself. Boston was on the table of course, but maybe I needed a fresh start somewhere else… And without my sister.
“That makes sense. I’ll be sad to see you go. I think we could’ve been good friends.” She looped her arm through mine.
“Me, too.” I did like her a lot.
“We better get back before they come looking for us.”
We exited the bathroom, arm and arm, when Zia stopped hard.
“I can’t believe it,” she said.
“What?”
“Lucia is here. Probably hoping to sink her claws into my brother again. Go rescue him. He needs you.” She pushed me to go in front of her.
“How do I rescue him?”
“Anyway, you can.” She pushed me again. “He needs you.”
“Earth to Cyndee, can you hear me?”
I snapped out of my haze. Fabio’s hand was on my face, and he seemed worried.
“Welcome back. Where were you?”
“Um. I guess. Well, just…”
“Yeah, spit it out.” He tilted his head as if examining me. “Should I take you to urgent care?”
“No. No. I just got lost in my thoughts. I really like your sister. We were in the bathroom talking about you, naturally.” Lying straight to his face felt so wrong.
“She’s a talker all right. I hope she didn’t freak you out. I’m really a nice guy. With some people.”
“I like how easygoing and accepting she is.”Be careful, girl.Don’t give him a reason to question you. He might want to know what you mean.
“She’s great. We’re here.” Fabio opened his door. “I promise tonight will be better than last weekend.”
I smiled and accepted his hand. I had no doubt it would be better. The more we were together, the easier it was and that was more than a little frightening.
I could seriously fall in love with Fabio Ferrari.
10
Fabio
The night went off without a hitch. My nieces looked precious, although I couldn’t hear them surrounded by thirty other kids. I imagined they were on pitch.
The best part was getting out of going to my brother’s home. After the concert, Remo canceled the party at his place and apologized. I could tell he wasn’t in a good place. The tension radiating off him and Anna was thicker than the morning fog on The Bay.
