Okay.
So this is what a big family sounds like.
Others move in from around the room to meet me.
A man introduces himself as Giovanni. The woman next to him is Bianca, and for half a second, I’m relieved, because she looks like warmth in human form. Dark hair. Bright eyes.
She steps forward and takes my hands without asking.
“You’re beautiful,” she says, immediately.
My brain stutters.
“Thank you,” I manage. “You’re the one behind the gelato.”
Her face lights up in delight.
“You liked it,” she says.
“Loved it,” I say. “I may have eaten all three pints, mostly by myself.”
“That’s my favorite compliment ever.” She laughs and looks at Nico. “I love her already.”
Giovanni’s mouth twitches, amused, and he tips his chin at me. “Welcome,” he says simply, like that word covers it all.
I have a feeling Bianca does most of the talking between them.
From behind her legs, a toddler with Bianca’s green eyes peeks out.
He watches me with serious focus, then looks up at Nico and lifts his arms.
“Unc,” he says.
Nico crouches and picks him up, too. One kid on each arm.
This may be too much for my hormones to handle right now.
Stephano’s gaze shifts back to me.
He points at my hair.
“Yel,” he says solemnly.
Caterina laughs.
“She is,” Caterina agrees. “Good job, Sté.”
My cheeks heat again, but this time it’s not dread. It’s… something like being included.
Nico shifts Alessandra again, and she pats his jaw, then rests her head on his shoulder like she’s done.
I can’t stop looking at it.
It’s absurd. How one small baby can make a man like Nico look… gentle.
Another man appears near Luca—handsome, sharp, eyes that scan the room like he’s taking in every angle. He claps Nico on the back and approaches me, takes both of my hands in his.
“Finally,” he says, like this is a long-awaited event. “Nico brings someone home.”
