Once he’s out of the car, he moves around to my side and opens my door. “Come on, for old times’ sake?”
Hand-in-hand we walk the streets of New York, craning our necks to catch a glimpse of Santa on the skyscraper roofs.
By the time we get home my belly hurts from laughing so hard at Enzo pretending to see him then covering my eyes so I wouldn’t notice he was pointing at nothing.
Despite the awkwardness after… well everything, this feels like maybe our friendship isn’t ruined. That we’re still us.
The intercom buzzes just as I’m settling onto the couch, mug of hot chocolate in hand. The thick, Italian kind that feels like you’re drinking melted chocolate.
“Mr. Russo, you have guests,” I hear Henry tell Enzo.
My nose scrunches. Guests?
“What guests?” Enzo growls into the phone.
“Your sister… and friends.”
I freeze, eyes widening.
Enzo tells Henry to send them up.
“Your sister is here?” I ask, setting my mug down to follow Enzo into the hall.
He shrugs, looking as confused as I am. “Guess so?”
I thank God that I’m wearing actual clothes after tonight's dinner, rather than my usual attire of Enzo’s shirts and panties—mine, not his.
The elevator doors ping open, revealing a group of four.
The first to step out is a woman with dark red hair and an unmistakable baby bump, partially hidden beneath loose-fitting dungarees. She has to be Tess—his sister.
Behind her is a tall man, almost Enzo’s height. He’s dressed in sweatpants and a plain t-shirt, but there’s nothing relaxed about him. His posture is rigid, his gaze alert.
Next comes a man in jeans and a button-down shirt, his hair falling in an artfully messy sweep over his forehead.
He’s holding the hand of the last woman—her pastel pink hair a striking contrast to the rest of the group. She barrels past the rest and flies into Enzo’s arms. He catches her easily.
Jealousy spikes hot in my chest.
Her face is oddly familiar but I can't work out why.
“Ahhh, I’ve missed you,” she squeals as he sets her down, stepping back as the second man swings an arm around her shoulders while shaking Enzo’s hand.
Tess hugs him next, albeit more gently. Then the sweatpants man gives him a half hug.
I shuffle awkwardly on my feet as everyone’s attention falls to me.
“Oh my god! Are we interrupting?” Tess asks. “I knew we should have called ahead, but I really wanted to surprise you. It’s been ages since I’ve seen my big brother. But we’ve interrupted your date. I’m so sorry, should we go and—”
“Good lord, take a breather woman,” Enzo huffs, running a hand over his face in exasperation. “Izzy lives here, it’s fine.”
Everyone’s mouths open in quadruple expressions of shock.
The pink haired girl speaks first. “Enzo,” she admonishes, whacking him on the chest. “Did you get a girlfriend without telling me?”
“Oh, no. We’re not together,” I’m quick to correct. As much as I wish it were true. “We’re just friends.”
“She was my best friend growing up,” Enzo explains, moving to wrap an arm around my shoulders. “Everyone, this is Isolde, or Izzy.”
