Pain flashes in his eyes. "Why would I hurt him?"
"You have a knack for hurting those you say you care for."
His jaw tightens. “That’s not fair.”
“But it’s true.”
He sets down his coffee, and I hate the guilt I feel at the pained expression in his face. “Where is he?”
“You want to do this now?”
He lets out an exasperated breath. “Yes, Katerina, before you change your mind, I’d like to meet the son that I didn’t know I had.”
“Fine.” I leave him in the kitchen and go to the front door. “Enzo. I need you to come in.”
“In a minute.”
“Now, sweetie. It’s important.”
I hear an exasperatedUgh. I seem to have annoyed two of the men in my life.
He comes racing around the corner. “What?”
“Come inside. I need you to meet someone.” For a moment, I stand still, looking at my son, knowing in the next few minutes our lives are about to change and feeling terrified about it.
What if this goes terribly wrong?
What if Luca plays the devoted father for a week, a month, and then vanishes again when the novelty wears off or needs to return to his new life in Chicago?
What if Enzo falls in love with him only to have his heart broken?
What if I do?
“Who do I have to meet?” Enzo asks, leading the way into the house.
“It’s Mr. Dante… Luca…”Your father.
“I know him already. Sorta.”
We step inside, and Luca is standing in the middle of the living room. He’s combing his fingers through his hair and rolling his shoulders as if he’s nervous. “Hello, Enzo.”
“Hi.” Enzo’s brow furrows as he looks up at me in confusion.
I’m not sure how to go about this, but I’m pretty sure I’m the one who needs to do the big reveal.
“Come sit with me, sweetie,” I say, taking Enzo’s hand and moving the couch.
Enzo keeps a suspicious gaze on Luca as he lets me guide him to the couch.
“Remember how you asked about your dad?”
Enzo’s head whips around to look at me. “Yeah. You said he had to go away.”
“I did. But now he’s back.” But for how long?
I glance up at Luca, still looking nervous and yet hopeful.
I can feel it softening my heart toward him. Dammit.
