“That scream—”
“—Was nothing more than a startled response. You know how I am.”
How she is? After all these years, she hasn’t recovered from the abuse she suffered living on the streets?
Nonna seemed to think…It doesn’t matter what Nonna thought. What matters is that just touching her elicited a scream that made grown men shake.
How can I even contemplate the possibility of a relationship with someone that fragile?
Fiona leans in close to Maddox.
Are they—
No, Maddox is with Mindy, but this interlude feels intimate. Were they ever a couple? Could they have hidden it from everyone?
Why am I even thinking about this?
Fiona’s dating history isn’t any of my business.
Nonna put her in my head, and now I’m getting all territorial over a woman I’ve barely said twenty words to.
Foolish.
Utterly foolish.
“I’m sorry, Fea,” Maddox whispers as she steps back.
She nods. “Now all of you shoo.” Fea waves at the security team. “And thank you all for coming.” Pivoting on the heel that tripped her up before, she turns back to where I’m standing. “You must be Hope’s father. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Fiona Shaw.”
It’s hard to put a friendly smile on my face when it’s painfully obvious that she doesn’t remember me. Our fleeting meeting in the past was nothing to her. “Massimo Vincenti—”
“Dad’s name is actually Massimo Rage Vincenti. Isn’t that cool?” Hope chimes in, helping the situation so much.
If Fiona wasn’t already scared of me, she will be after hearing that.
“Totally. It’s nice to meet you. I’ll be mentoring Hope for as long as she needs to prepare her for opening her own place. Her business plan is impressive for someone so young. A testament to the care you gave to her education. I don’t know what Dahlia has shared with you concerning my experience, but you don’t have to worry. I’ve mentored hundreds of young people through the years.”
“Dad isn’t worried about that. He knows how amazing you are.”
Oh really? What is Hope up to? She doesn’t usually interrupt or not let others speak for themselves.
Probably nerves.
“He’s just overprotective. Dad won’t let me go anywhere without someone to protect me. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
There are limits. “Hope.”
“See? He’s going to stay the entire time I’m working unless you tell him that he can’t.”
And she just passed them. “Hope Vincenti.”
“Why would I do that?”
WHAT? Fiona just supported me.
“You agree with Dad?” Hope says what I’m thinking.
Fiona turns her gaze to Hope. Staring her right in the eyes. “Absolutely. And I think after a while, you’ll come to appreciate what a beautiful gift that is.” She shifts her attention to me. “As you can see, security is pretty tight around here. But you’re welcome to stay all day at one of the tables in the bakery or at this picnic table if you’d like. Hope will probably be mostly in the kitchen today, learning the process we have set up to make sure everything flows well and some of our recipes—which you’re welcome to use at your place or modify them however you like.”
