“He was very sad for a long time,” she says. “A mother sees it, and she can do nothing. I think that’s why he stopped coming.”
She sighs, then adds, “But now you make my son happy. Very happy."
I can’t help smiling. “I hope so.”
She nods once, sure of it. “I know so. Now you're family, Emma. So you two don't have to lie to us anymore."
I look at her, my heart melting, just as Carmela wraps me in a hug—tight as a rope, short as a lightning strike.
Just then, Dino, Antonio, and Paul all appear in the kitchen. Dino and Paul are clutching their temples, competing with who makes the most pained sound.
"Carmelita, coffee," Dino rasps and collapses into a chair.
"Never again. Never Scopa with shots. I swear it." Paul's face is all green, but he manages to pour himself a mug.
Antonio comes in, shrugging—he's fine since he didn't drink last night.
Still, he kisses Carmela apologetically and she looks at him with her lips pursed.
Then Mara breezes in a shimmering sweater, rolling her eyes at the entire lineup of men.
Carmela bellows up the stairs: "Ben! Come down. Your girlfriend made eggs. They're good."
I can't help my smile.Girlfriend. I'm officially his girlfriend. That might be the most delicious thing in here.
"Awww," Mara coos, smoothing her hand over my back. "See? Now you're finally my sister."
I hug her impulsively. "That's all I ever wanted."
The table erupts then—like last night's storm but less ceremonial, more kitchen-warm, and I'm enjoying Carmela's amaretti that could actually dethrone Lazzaroni, which I didn't think anything could, and getting more sentimental with each bite because I'm not an intruder here anymore; I belong.
Ten minutes later, Mara is just telling me about her and Paul getting a new house when footsteps thud on the stairs. Heavy, deliberate.
Ben walks in, sweatpants hanging low, faded Knicks shirt stretched across his chest. He's sleep-creased and disheveled and utterly edible.
His eyes are glazed, but ignite when they find me. He smiles. "Good morning."
"You're late for breakfast," Carmela scolds, wagging a spoon at him.
Ben bends down to kiss the top of my head, his cedar scent wrapping around me like a cocoon.
"I already had breakfast. It was pretty sweet," he murmurs in my ear, all suggestive and wicked.
He did not just say that. Not with his mother sitting across from me.
I shoot him a glare just as Carmela squints.
"What?" she asks, like she actually overheard.
"Nothing," I jump in, caught between mortification and laughter.
"Heard it." Paul coughs into his hand, valiantly trying to disguise the grin stretching across his face.
Mara snorts a laugh into her glass and muffles, "Me too.Andlast night."
Paul leans over, that knowing grin already forming. "Sounded like something broke?"
Heat strikes my cheeks, sharp enough I could burn him with it.
