“Yeah, let’s go.”
We end up spending the whole day out. The library was beautiful, but it wasn’t much for Addy. I was able to find a bookstore not too far away, well within walking distance, with the help of a combination of Google and the locals, though.
Which is how we lost track of time so completely that I have no less than ten missed texts when I glance at my phone.
Shit.
I quickly scan them before quickly responding to let them know everything’s fine.
“Is everything okay?” Kat’s sudden appearance makes me fumble my phone, and I just barely manage to catch it before it hits the ground. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“No, you're fine. I was just distracted. I might have put my phone on silent and forgotten to check it, so they're freaking out a little.”
Her eyes go wide for a moment before a smile pulls to her lips, and she chuckles. The sound is adorable and pulls a smile to my lips as well.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh at you. I’m just kind of shocked they haven’t tracked us down or called for a search party yet, with the way they are.”
Oh yeah, that could have been bad.
I quickly shoot off a text to ensure they aren’t doing that, and while I get a sea of pissed-off responses, they seem to be still back at Nonna’s house.
“Oli!” Addy runs toward us with a stack of books that isn’t huge but is big for her. They threaten to tumble to the ground, but Kat reaches out and helps steady them just in time, earning her a beaming smile.
“Oli, can you teach me to read these?” I look down at the stack in her hands, plucking the first one up to better inspect it.
It’s written in Italian.
I look to Kat for guidance; schooling and Addy’s curriculum are her forte.
“Don’t look at me. I can’t speak a lick of any language but English,” she says with a shrug, and I can’t help but chuckle at her misunderstanding.
“Would it be okay if I taught her? I don’t want to overstep. I’m not sure what you're teaching as far as language.”
“Big brother Oli can speak sooo many languages!” Addison gushes, full of excitement, and I love that she’s bragging about me, but also, I kind of wish she wasn’t.
I’ve never been good at talking about myself.
Kat’s brow moves up her forehead, and I know what’s coming even before she asks.
“What’ssooomany?”
“We can all speak Italian. Nonna made sure of it. Said we should be proud of who we are and where we come from.” I try to change the subject back to safer things and almost sag in relief when she takes the bait.
“You should be! It’s so amazing that you have family ties all the way across the globe. I’d love it if you took the time to teach Addy. Secondary languages are easiest to pick up as a child and can really open a lot of doors for her future.”
I swear it’s like I can see her physically trying to restrain from asking, so I decide to take pity on her.
“We’ll start with Italian, as that’s important to Nonna, and then we can move on to Mandarin or French.”
Addy lets out a squeal of excitement that has us both hushing her as nearly every head turns in our direction.
“Thank you so much, Oli! This will be great for her! I just know she’s going to catch on so well. She’s so smart.” Kat’s excitement is almost on par with Addy’s; she’s just better at managing it. But I can see why the guys enjoy spoiling her.
And hearing her use my nickname…
Damn it, I can’t get a boner in the middle of a bookstore; I’m not a damn teenager!
“I could teach you too,” I offer, instantly wishing I could eat the words.
