“You look at her like I look at Mia, at least when you think no one is watching. You have since the second we pulled up to the back of that theater.”
“I don’t know what to do with the way she makes me feel.” Absentmindedly, I rub a hand over my chest.
“How does she make you feel?”
“Like there’s fucking sunshine in the world.”
“What’s not to like about that?” Marco asks.
I sigh. “Nothing. It’s the best fucking feeling in the world. It’s just…” I’ve been holding it in for two weeks, which is somehow a blink and also forever at the same time. “She’s everything, Marco. She’s funny and brave and weird and beautiful and a little bit scary. And I’ll never deserve her.” The word vomit pours out of me.
“Mia and I, we’ve been together for over twenty years. Not a single day has gone by where I felt good enough for that woman. But when you find the one woman who sets your soul on fire and reminds you that you actually have a heart, you hold on toher. Even if you don’t deserve her. Especially if you don’t deserve her. You just try to be worthy of her every day and be thankful that she allows you the opportunity to be in her presence.”
We sit in silence while I take in his words and let myself start to hope a little.
“But Luca,” the tone of his voice makes me look away from the ceiling and at him, “if you hurt my little girl, I won’t hesitate in killing you.”
I believe him.
“If I ever hurt her, I’d string myself up in the shed and let you.”
After threatening my life, Marco walks over to clap me on the shoulder with a smile. “Let’s go see what everyone is up to.”
Marco grabs a couple of beers and asks Becca where the girls are. She points to the back door and then hands me a tray of drinks and sandwiches with a smile.
Mia and Lil are in the pool while Ariana’s on a lounger. She’s wearing a green one-piece suit that’s fucking perfection on her, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat low on her head. High up on her right thigh is a tattoo I don’t remember seeing before. ‘Chaos demon’ is pretty fucking accurate, though.
“Come on, get in this pool!” Lil sends a small splash of water Ariana’s way.
“That’d be a big fat nope.” She pops the p at the end of the word.
“Enough with the sulking for today, Ari,” Lil declares.
“I’m not sulking. I’m brooding.”
“DeVilles don’t brood,” Marco declares as we walk up. He puts our beers down on a large table, and I do the same with the food.
“Lies. Luca does it all the time. And I looked at the rulebook. Broodingisallowed on occasion. Therefore, today, I brood.”
“Like you read a rule book.” Marco bends down and picks her up in his arms like I did last night.
“Dad, no! You’re going to hurt your back!”
“Oh shut up, I’m fine,” he says as he turns toward the pool.
“Marco Alexander DeVille, don’t you dare!”
He stalks the few steps to the water and sends her flying. “Mother Fu—!” She disappears under the water with a huge splash. “—Cker!” She comes back up, sputtering and shooting daggers at Marco, who lets out the first belly laugh I’ve ever heard from him.
Lil is cackling, so Ariana splashes water at her face and right into her mouth.
“Direct hit!” Ariana laughs and then squeals as Lil lunges at her.
“Oh shit.” Mia starts to climb out of the pool, and Marco is right there to help her. The girls try to drown each other for a few minutes until Mia calls for peace.
“Ah, Mom, come on. You’re no fun.” Lil pouts.
“Don’t listen to her. You’re lots of fun, love.” Marco’s eyes sparkle with mischief as he kisses his wife’s hand.
