“June, what’s going on?” She didn’t buy my bullshit. I couldn’t blame her. “You have a new guy in your life? You don’t have to hide it from me.”
I breathed out audibly. “Okay, listen, you have to promise me to not say a word to anyone, especially not my sisters or mom!”
“I swear!” Rio crossed her fingers scouts-like.
“It’s new, he’s younger than me—like ten years younger—and I don’t know yet where this is going, but he needs a place to stay and work, so I’m giving it a try. He’s from Italy, has lived in San Francisco for some time, and I visited, and he was here, too, and … I just need you to keep this a secret for now.” I shot the lies out fast.
Rio’s jaw dropped open, and her eyes roamed my face as if she were waiting for me to say “Gotcha!” or something that would indicate I was just joking.
How much more stunned she’d be if I told her the truth. I told her enough and twisted it so that in case Immigration spoke to her, what she’d tell them would corroborate what I’d tell them—that I was keeping the truth about Angelo from my family and friends because of our age difference.
“He’s Italian?” was all she asked when she finally managed to form words.
I swallowed and nodded. “Been here about a year plus, but yeah.”
“How long have—”
“A few months.”
“Wow! June … you … Don’t be mad or offended, but you surprise me.” She huffed a breathy chuckle. “I mean, in a good way. After all this time, a younger Italian guy? What—are you trying to make every woman’s dream come true?” She chuckled again. “That’s the last thing I’d imagine you’d go for.”
Tell me about it.
“I hope it’s okay I’m being honest,” Rio added, patting my arm.
“Of course, and I know. Trust me; that’s not something I planned, or something I would have imagined myself.” I was being honest in that at least. “But you know how it is … things happen and catch you off guard, and …”Oh, God. I desperately needed to spray cold water on my face.
Rio put her palm on the back of my hand. “My lips are sealed. I’m … happy for you and hope it works out! I mean, you deserve something good, and I hope this is it. I’d be happy to meet him.” Rio then quickly added, “If and when you’re ready.”
I flipped my hand over and squeezed hers. “I appreciate this so much. Thank you.” I forced on a smile.
“Plus, you could probably use the extra rent money with all the new branch expenses,” Rio said.
“Oh, that.” I took a deep breath and looked away. “There was some strain, but it’s all okay now. You don’t have to worry about it.”
“Anything I can do? You know how much I love this place and you.”
“I know. It’s mutual. Thanks, Rio. It’s enough that you agreed to take daily, longer shifts while we’re one employee down here.” I usually had three people splitting the week, but I had moved my other veteran employee, Frances, to run the Wayford shop along with two newbies while Rio and I were here. I traveled to Wayford at least twice a week.
“It’s my pleasure.” We hugged briefly, and then Rio said, “Let’s do the closing. I need to get back to Oscar.”
“You go. I’ll close.” I didn’t feel like going home. Going home, upstairs, meant sharing my space with a total stranger, this man whose footsteps I could hear from time to time.
“Are you sure? Don’t you want to get home to …?” With a cheeky smile, Rio directed her head and eyes upward in the general direction of my apartment.
I chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. Go.”
“What’s his name?”
“Angelo Marchesi.”
“He evensoundsyummy.” Rio laughed.
I locked the front door after her and spent almost an hour closing everything, much slower than usual.
12
Angelo
