I clear my throat and focus on the task at hand: officially moving my girlfriend into our apartment. “We still have packing to do before dinner.”
Savannah chuckles. “I need to schedule an appointment with the management company to break my lease. That’s going to cost me.”
I brush my hands up her thighs. “About that… No need to schedule an appointment. I’ll take care of it, and there won’t be any penalty fees.”
“Really? How?” She tilts her head to the side, eyes shimmering with suspicion.
“I own the building,” I admit.
“Of course you do,” she murmurs, sliding her slender finger down my chest.
As if a light bulb goes off in her head, she sits up, bringing us nose to nose. She places her hands on my shoulders as a slow smile spreads across her face. “You turned off my water, didn’t you?”
Guilty.
“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” I state with pride.
Savannah throws her head back and laughs.
The sound wraps around my heart and makes me smile. I look forward to hearing that sound every day for the rest of our lives.
forty-seven
Savannah
Nicowasright.Ihad nothing to worry about.
As soon as I walked through the door, Cat welcomed me with open arms. She was over the moon ecstatic for me and Nico. As were his Aunt Rose and his cousins, Sofia, Valentina, and Isabella.
It’s incredible how much all the women in Nico’s life look alike and like to give him hell. But I need to up my Italian lessons if I want a chance at keeping up with the conversation.
As requested by his mother, Nico invited his teammates to join us for dinner. Lance said he would stop by after some business he needed to take care of, but Blake, Reed, Heath, and his wife Grace, were all too eager to join us for dinner. Aside from Cameron, none of the other guys had yet to be invited to eat at Belladonna.
I took a chance and invited my parents, but my mother refused to join us. I knew she wouldn’t accept, but I wanted to be the bigger person and extend the olive branch anyway.
It was my last attempt. I’ll be waiting until she reaches out. Until then, I’m good with how things are. Just because I don’t have arelationship with my mother doesn’t mean I’m going to lose the rest of my family.
Dad was amazing when we chatted on the phone. He promised to make it up to me soon and was happy to hear everything worked out for me and Nico. He’s excited to meet my boyfriend. He didn’t bring up my mother, for which I was grateful. I’m not sure what’s going on with my parents, but something tells me their perfect marriage might not be as perfect as it appears.
Charlotte declined, having already spent time away from her husband and son, but she reassured me she’s happy for me and excited for me and Nico to visit her soon. I think hearing Nico apologize was something she needed to leave all the hurt feelings in the past.
And Denver? As soon as my big brother learned it wasn’t Nico in the video, he took off to some exotic island with a promise to come and visit soon so we could hit up a game together.
While my relationship with my mother is strained, having the support of my dad, sister and brother means the world to me.
As do the people currently sitting around the table in Nico’s family restaurant.
I’ve had an amazing dinner, getting to know Nico’s family and his friends. Seeing all the love and friendship in this room has made me realize that the people you choose to be in your life can end up being your family too.
Everyone at the table erupts in laughter, pulling me from my thoughts, as Cam recounts being chased naked by an emu while on vacation with Talia over the holidays.
“Serves you right for trying to defile my sister,” Nico grumbles, making us all laugh again. I pat his thigh under the table, and he places his hand over mine. Looking up, I find him watching me, his gray eyes shining with happiness. “Are you having a good time?”
“The best,” I answer.
Nico flashes me a smoldering smile and gives me a chaste kiss on the lips, the cheek, and the sensitive spot behind myear. Then he purrs, “The best will be later when you fuck my face and suck my cock at the same time.”
His filthy mouth ruins my panties and makes my cheeks heat.
