He scrubbed a hand over his face, knowing there was no use in arguing.
“Please, Papà. I want something red. Oh, and with a drop top.” I glanced at my cat. “Luna and I really love fresh air. A convertible will suit us quite well. Right, baby?”
Luna meowed on cue.
“Seems you Bellafiore women exist solely to make demands out of me,” he grumbled. “All right. I’ll buy you a car. Is that all?”
I hid my smug smile at our successful negotiations. “Yes, that’s all.Ti voglio bene,Papà.”
Like the soft teddy bear that he was on the inside, he melted the second I told him I loved him. He was wrapped around my finger and I was going to have a brand-new car by the end of the month.
The familiar chime of the doorbell resonated through the house.
I instantly hopped off the armrest. “I’ll get it.”
Behind me, Nonna echoed again, “Remember what I said: best behaviour, everyone.”
Everything in my universe seemed to right itself when I unlocked the front door and saw Hunter standing there.
He was handsome as ever in a white button-down, charcoal pants, polished shoes, and a black wool coat tailored to his muscular frame. His inky black hair was pulled back in a low bun. Due to the heavy wind, a few strands that couldn’t be tamed tendrilled down the sides of his face artfully. His blue gaze drank me in with a hungry,I-missed-youquality.
He held three red rose bouquets.
“Hi.” I gravitated towards him, opening my arms for a hug. “You made it.”
“Hi, baby.” He bent down to kiss my forehead, hugging me. “I did. Wouldn’t miss tonight for the world.”
“Are these for me?”
Hunter smiled and handed me a bouquet. “You know they are. For you, your mom, and your grandmother.”
My sweetprincipe. “If you keep buying me roses at this rate, I’ll have no more room left in my apartment.”
“That’s my plan.” He tucked a strand behind my ear. “Then you’ll have no choice but to spend all your time at mine.”
I blinked. “Luna and I already do.”
“Good.” He kissed me again and murmured cheekily, “Let’s keep it that way.”
I bit my bottom lip to tame my goofy smile, but it was no use. I loved him so much.
“Come in.” I tugged him inside. “They’re excited to see you.”
I towed us into the living room, announcing, “Hunter’s here.”
Mamma, Papà, and Nonna were already standing on their feet, anticipating us.
There was a beat where Hunter appeared anxious, but then he swallowed down his nerves and I watched him morph into his confidence, his broad shoulders straightening.
“Hello,” he said warmly.
Mamma was the first to step away from the rest. She hugged him. “Hi, Hunter. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you for inviting me.” He handed her a bouquet. “These are for you.”
“Oh, my.” She hedged him a teasing expression. “Such a gentleman. Gabriela, does he do this often?”
I nodded proudly and hooked my arm with his, my fingers gripping his bicep. “Hunter brings me roses all the time.”
