“You’re my little girl, Bonnie.”
“I’m your adult daughter. Trust me.”
“Phillip?” Pop says from the doorway. “What’s going on?”
Ah, it makes sense now why Dad is the only one giving me a lecture. Pop didn’t know he was going to do it. “Mark, I was just—”
“Doing the very thing we decided not to do last night,” Pop says.
“Hey, I don’t want you two arguing,” I interrupt. “Dad knows where I stand, and that’s where I want to leave it, okay? I’ve got another important conversation to get through today, and I’ll probably need you both later to wade through the emotions it’s sure to mix up.”
“You got it, pumpkin. Lorenzo is a good man, despite what some people think.” Oh, Pop has his snarky pants on. I feel sorry for Dad. He’s in the doghouse for a few days, for sure.
I’m not lying. The talk with Lorenzo is firmly at the forefront of my mind now. Allegra is still there, too, however, she’s less of an unknown now. Lorenzo is still a stranger; a man that makes up half of me that I know nothing about. Now the shock has worn off, I know I’m ready to learn about that part of my family.
Before I speak to him, though, I need a nap. I’m seriously sleep deprived.
“Where the hell did you get to last night, lady?” Pete sashays in and stops dramatically with both hands on the breakfast bar. Dad and Pops give a small smile and leave, which is probably wise.
“Hello, Pete,” I say, ignoring his question. Kelley comes rushing in, her hair a hive of chaos.
“Oh, no, where were you, Bonnie Moorside?” he asks.
“Yeah, Bonnie, where were you?” Kelley chuckles, waggling her eyebrows.
“Stop it,” I say, going red.
“Nuh-uh. You got freaky with the Ice Bitch, didn’t you?” Pete says with a gasp.
“Don’t call her that,” I snap and then wince.
“Ooh, she’s protective. Damn, Bonnie, put the claws away,” he cackles.
“Did you really sleep with her?” Kelley asks. Shit, is she mad? She’d have every reason to be. After all, she’s the one that has been hurt the most in all this.
“I did.” I’m always honest with Kelley, so I’ll deal with whatever she has to say—more so than I did with Dad.
She nods her head slowly. “I slept with Beth,” she squeaks. My mouth pops open in surprise.
“Jesus,” Pete gasps, “it’s like a hotbed of lesbian mafia love all up in here!”
“Okay, okay, we need a pizza night!” I declare. “Tonight. My room at eight. I need to take a nap and talk to Lorenzo, then we’ll debrief over delicious carbs.”
“Now, that’s a plan I can get behind,” Pete says, clapping his hands. “Okay team, hands in.” Kelley and I put our hands on Pete’s, giggling. This is so silly, but just what I need. “In three,” he calls. “One. Two. Three… Mafia lesbians are hot,” he shouts enthusiastically. I roll my eyes, and Kelley nods her head in agreement.
I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. I dream vividly and wake up feeling flushed. Crikey, is this what I can expect from now on? Sex-fuelled dreams that leave me feeling wired every morning? God, I hope so. It beats waking up with anxiety sweats.
I shower and dress carefully. It’s not a job interview but feels as important. Lorenzo is in the restaurant waiting for me, and I’m sure he’s just as nervous as I am. The thought makes me wonder if I do anything similar to him behaviour-wise when I’m nervous. Does he pace or tap his chin? I do, and I didn’t get it from my dads. These types of thoughts have been popping up regularly over the past few days.
He’s sitting at a table near the newly installed bar, but he isn’t drinking wine. He’s tapping his finger on the side of a frosted glass of water whilst staring into space.
“Um, hi,” I say quietly.
He startles, but pulls it together quickly. The smile on his face is genuine, and once again it’s a little disconcerting seeing myself in him.
“Bonnie, hi. Please, sit. Water?”
“Please.”
