Noah offers me his half-eaten cracker.
“A little sugar is good for you,” he says with the wisdom of a four-year-old.
I take a bite of the soggy cracker and smile.
These people right here—this is my family.
CHAPTER 8 – ANTONIO
The trattoria is closed because of a catastrophe involving a pipe, three towels, and Dad shouting rapid Italian into the phone.
I’m sitting on the floor in my room, enjoying the solitude. I’ve surrounded myself with books.
Then Maria barges in, lunges onto my bed, and shatters my peace.
“Sibling quality time!”
I sigh. Loudly. “I was already having quality time.”
Ignoring me, she squints at her phone.
“I’m a waffle maker,” she announces. “It’s a quiz,” she adds before I can ask. “Let’s find out what kitchen appliance you are.”
“Let’s not.”
“Another quiz for you, then,” she chirps, completely missing the point.
I glance at her. She’s even more hyper than usual.
“You’re a tiny, furious dragon that hoards grudges and biscotti,” she informs me, cackling.
“Stop making stuff up,” I snort. “Why are you home? Where’s Sophia?”
“She’s going out tonight,” Maria says lightly. She studies her nails with sudden interest. “With some guy from her study group.”
She sounds like someone who tries really hard to appear unbothered.
“Have you met him?” I ask carefully.
“Nope.”
Was that a loaded nope? I’m not good at this. I’m not sure there even is a this.
“Are you upset?”
“Of course not. Why would I be upset?”
“You seem upset.”
“Well, I’m not. I’m going out tonight, too.”
Her voice sounds off, but before I can unpack what’s going on, my phone buzzes.
Maria snatches it because she’s a menace. She reads the text and gasps.
“You have a boyfriend!”
My stomach flips. “I do not!”
