“Our plans to start working on opening our own firm would have to wait if I took this job. But I don’t have to take it. I’d rather work with you any day,” she hurried and said.
“Absolutely not. You’re not passing this up. Think of the experience you’ll get from working for them. This will open doors for you like Elena did for me. No way are you turning them down,” I said adamantly.
“Thanks, amica. If you’re willing to wait a few more years, I’d still want to do this with you when we both have more experience.”
“Then take it,” I said, grabbing her hand. “I’m so proud of you.”
We all hugged her and talked over each other as she shared the details with us.
Later that evening, when everyone had gone to bed, Ren and I were still sitting outside.
“What were you and your Mama whispering about in the kitchen earlier?” she asked.
Looking around, I leaned in closer and said, “You can’t tell anyone. She’s talking to Leonardo.”
Her eyes bugged out of her head, and she clamped her hand over her mouth.
“Yup. They’d met at Enzo’s wedding, but apparently they’ve been talking on ‘the Facebook’”. I snorted as I did the quotation marks with my hands.
“Oh. My. Goodness. Katerina and Leonardo. Hmm, well, it makes sense. I love the idea of them opening their hearts again to love.”
When I got quiet, she made me look at her, pulling my arm so I faced her on the lounger. “What’s going through that pretty little head of yours? You getting mad about putting off our business idea?”
“No, absolutely not. Not at all. But it’s got me thinking. Seeing Mama so happy, I don’t know? I’ve been evaluating things, I guess.”
“Ah, I see. It’s Miles, isn’t it?”
“There’s no use in denying it. Yes, like you saw, I’ve been writing him letters since I left.”
“That’s a lot of letters. What are they about?”
I smiled and tilted my head. “The same as when we were together. Anything and everything. Asking about his life. Telling him about mine. Ren, I think I made a mistake.”
When she saw the tears filling my eyes, she sat up. “Hey. Talk to me.”
“I love him. I’ve tried not to, but I’m still so very much in love with him. Work keeps me busy, and between making new friends at work, dating here and there, I do have a full life. I should be happier.”
“But something is missing.” My brother’s deep voice startled us both. He slowly walked toward us and sat down on the open chair facing us.
“I know what you’re going to say, Enzo. I’m too young. Too inexperienced,” I said, wiping my tears.
“I thought I’d proved to you since you’ve been back that I’m different, or at least I’m trying to be,” he said, leaning his elbows on his knees.
“You have, I’m sorry. You definitely have gotten better. But what exactly are you saying?”
“I’m saying that falling in love with Corinna, making a life with her, having Ruby. I want that for you, too. My observant wife doesn’t miss a thing. She’s been telling me since you got back that something happened over there. Looks like she was right.”
Ren stood up and said, “I’m going to let you guys talk.” I squeezed her hand when she passed by me and smiled.
“Yes, it did. We spent time together. We talked and laughed so much when we were together. And MJ. I can see why having Ruby has made you so happy. She’s amazing. So smart. It broke my heart to leave her. To leave both of them.” It felt good to be honest with him, so I held nothing back.
“I fell in love with him. It was so easy to, Enzo. He’s such a wonderful man. In every possible way. And yes, he’s older and has an ex-wife, but MJ told me in her letters that Katy is making her a priority, so I’m happy that part has worked out.”
“I see. AndMilesand Katy?” he asked.
“Miles told me there was nothing there. Besides, Katy still lives in Texas, according to MJ. The night I found out about the job here, I’m pretty sure he was going to tell me how he felt about me. And MJ mentioned in her last letter a few weeks ago that he was single.” I smiled at the thought of her playing matchmaker.
“So, you think he was in love with you? Still in love with you?”
