Another laugh. “You know how I love thoseItalians.”
I shook my head and rolled myeyes.
“Wasn’t your last boyfriendItalian?”
“And my last girlfriend. They were a couple actually. Happy to take in a lonely soldier on leave traveling alone for the holiday.” His tone was all innocence and sweet maleguile.
“You’reincorrigible.”
“Hey, we all got what we wanted out of the bargain. No complaints on any side. They both call me from time to time and invite meback.”
“Back towhere?”
“Tuscany. Excellent wine there,too.”
I shifted on the counter and tucked my feet up under my legs. “Okay then, it sounds like we have a plan. You just need to take some leave and get your butt toFrance.”
He made a noise like he was considering his choices. “I don’t know Iz, it’s kind of hot in France this time ofyear.”
“Not any hotter than Italy,dork.”
“Okay, okay, I guess I’ll get myself to France. It has been a while since you and I spent any real time together. Of course, after we visit, you might not want me anywhere near you for awhile.”
“Huh? What does thatmean?”
A soft knock came at my door. “Hold on Jake I’m going to put the phone down, someone isknocking.”
I set the phone on the counter, hopped off the edge, and went to the door. I didn’t have a peephole, but my doorman was supposed to ring me if anyone showed up. Come to think of it he’d been failing at that task for sometime.
I opened the door andfroze.
“Hello,Sis.”
17
Izzy
Iblinked tryingto clear the tears from my eyes. They slid down my cheeks in hot streams as I threw myself into Jake’s arms. He wrapped himself around me, pulling me close. He smelled like Jake, my Jakey. The only family Ihad.
I pulled back for a second just to look at his face before burying my ear into his chest again as I squeezed himtight.
“Let’s go inside, Iz,” he said, gently walking me backward into my home and then closing the door behindhim.
I leaned away from him. “You bastard, don’t toy with my emotions like that.” I punched him in the shoulder so he’d remember nexttime.
He let me go, and I reluctantly let him go too. “What are you doinghere?”
Instead of crowding around the door, I led him into the kitchen and grabbed another coffee mug from the cabinet. He watched me, smiling. “What?”
“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head at the same time. “It’s just been a while since I’ve seen you. I missed you, LittleSis.”
I poured coffee in both mugs and then handed him the other. He never took cream or sugar, drinking it black like I didsometimes.
After he took a couple tentative sips, he backtracked to sit on the stool off my small kitchen bar. “Sorry I couldn’t tell you I was coming. You know they don’t let us talk about when we are traveling orwhere.”
“What if I was busy, or if you came on openingnight?”
He smiled, and I wanted to touch the deep dimple in his cheeks. “Not a chance. I know you better than anyone, and I know your schedule. Opening night is a couple weeks away still. Besides, I’m not here for long. Only today. Then I have to get back towork.”
