“Is that what James does to you?” Max says to Izzy with one perfectly plucked eyebrow raised.
“Oh, fuck off, Max,” Izzy snarls.
“There they go,” Mia says, and we all turn, watching them walk inside as Bianca once again pulls Vinnie by the arm. “I give it ten minutes.”
“Five,” Daphne says.
“Who’s going to win?” I ask.
“They both will.” Izzy smiles. “But Vinnie will not be going with the guys. That much, I know.”
“Neither will Angelo,” I say quickly.
“Then you better get ready to use what God gave you to make that man do what you want,” Izzy tells me. “’Cause if you don’t, he’s going.”
I fidget with the napkin sitting near my glass, preferring not to talk about what God gave me. “I’m sure I can just explain how I feel, and he’ll be fine with not going.”
All eyes at the table turn to me like I’ve just uttered the most insane words ever spoken.
Mia places her hand on mine with a light squeeze. “Oh, honey. Gallo men need a little more coaxing than most. You’ll learn.”
I have no doubt I’ll learn, but I also know my husband. He’ll listen. That’s what marriage is about, isn’t it?
14
Angelo
“Daddy. Daddy.” Brax runs toward me with his arms flailing about. He sputters to a stop near my feet and gazes up at me, squinting when the sun hits his eyes. “Guess what?”
I ruffle his hair and smile at my little man. “Um.” I touch my chin and twist my lips, trying to think like a little kid. His mind goes in so many different directions, I’m not sure where to even begin with this type of question. “You found candy?”
He shakes his head and continues to stare, moving from foot to foot, unable to stand still.
“You…” My voice trails off because fuck if I know. “I give up, bud. Tell me.”
He twists his hands in front of himself and comes up on his tiptoes. “I want to whisper it,” he says softly before uncoiling his fingers and motioning for me to give him my ear.
I lean down, coming to his level, and catch a glimpse of Tilly across the yard with my cousins. “What is it, Brax?”
His tiny fingers touch my ear as he cups his hand near my head. “I have a mommy now.”
My vision blurs immediately before he’s uttered the last word. My lungs seize, and my body stiffens for a brief moment. There’s a dull ache in my chest for Marissa, but it’s quickly replaced by a warmth for my new bride and the son who’s staring up at me like he’s just received the best gift in the world.
I bend down, wrapping my arm under his legs and pull him upward, against my body. “You do, buddy. Are you happy?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.
“Are you sad, Daddy?” He reaches out, touching the corner of my eye with his fingertip. “You’re crying.”
I pull his hand away and kiss his cheek. “I’m happy, Brax. Very happy.” I smother him with kisses until my tears are forgotten and he’s a giggling mess.
He tries to wiggle free of my hold. “Daddy, stop it!” he squeals and finally manages to slip from my arms.
My mother captures Brax by the shoulders and hauls him against her legs. “Is your daddy misbehaving?” she asks him, quirking an eyebrow at me in a playful way.
“He kissed me too much,” Brax tells her before sticking his tongue out at me, as if my mother was going to scold me for such a thing.
“Why don’t you run along and play while I have a little chat with your daddy?”
I know she’s up to something. Betty Gallo always is.
