CHAPTER FIVE
Gabriela
Meeting Gianluca and his son was something I wasn’t expecting when I got here. And when Fiorella said I might be able to meet the hockey team, it sounded like Gianluca didn’t like that. It made me smile because I can just imagine how many women want to meet him. And right now? I don’t want any of them to get near him. Which is crazy because I literally just met him.
“Gianluca seems like a really nice guy.” I say to Simone.
“He is and he’s a really great papà to Giancarlo.”
“Where’s Giancarlo’s mom?”
“She…um?—”
“It’s okay if you can’t tell me.”
“Faith passed away seven months ago.” Fiorella says as she joins us.
“That’s really sad. They must miss her a lot.”
“Giancarlo misses her, but she and my brother weren’t together. It’s a really long story and one I’m sure he’ll tell you if you ask him.” She smiles at me.
I nod. I get it, it’s his story to tell and I respect that. Maybe one day he’ll tell me about Faith.
“Soooo, is your brother single?” I grin at her.
“I knew it!”
“You knew what?” a woman asks as she comes into the bakery.
“Gabriela, this is my cugina, Giovanna and her adorable babies, Rowan and Lorcán. Oh and that’s Declan. Gia, this is Gabriela. And she likes Luca.”
Declan laughs as he shakes his head at Fiorella. He heads to the display case so that Rowan can pick out a treat.
“It’s really nice to meet you, we’ve been waiting for you to get here.” Giovanna says as she hugs me.
“It’s nice to meet you too, your sons are so cute. And I never said I liked Luca.”
“Please. I know that look you were giving each other.”
“What look?”
“That dreamy eyed look that people around here get when they meet the person they’re supposed to be with.”
“You’re crazy.” I laugh.
“You’re right about that. Rella is the crazy Mancini. You have to learn to just accept her the way she is.”
“Hmph. I take offense to that. I’m the best Mancini in the family. Just ask Cillian.”
Declan snorts from where he’s standing.
“You stay out of this.” She points at him as she rolls her eyes.
“I’m pretty sure I’m married to the best Mancini in the family.” He says as he kisses Giovanna.
“You two are icky.”
“Like you and Cillian aren’t like this.” Giovanna sticks her tongue out.
