“Huh? Oh, just the same ones you had a minute ago. Will it last? Also, will we drive each other crazy—or will none of the little things matter when you love someone so much?”
“I probably shouldn’t say this, since I’m supposed to be a fuddy-duddy father, but it seems like the living together thing has its advantages.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. It seems the safer route to go instead of getting married too soon.”
“See? I knew some of my wisdom rubbed off on you,” Antonio said.
“I feel bad about leaving Noah, though.”
“He’ll find another roommate or move to a smaller place he can afford by himself. You shouldn’t base your decision on guilt for leaving your brother. Don’t you think that someday he’ll find his soulmate?”
“Of course he will.”
“And if you’re still roommates at that time, he’d probably leave you in a heartbeat.”
Dante half smiled. “I would hope so.”
“That’s how you know you love someone, Son. When you want their happiness as much as or more than your own.”
Dante nodded thoughtfully.
“Is that how you feel about Mallory?”
“Yeah, but I don’t need you to tell me I’m in love. I know that.”
His father slapped him on the knee and rose. “Good. One of your knucklehead older brothers needed to have it pointed out to him.”
Dante chuckled. “Let me guess. Gabe?”
“That’s father-son privilege.”
“Does that mean you’ll keep our conversation in confidence?”
“Except for your mother, of course. She’s half of me. I can’t keep secrets from my other half. If you’re smart, you’ll avoid keeping secrets from Mallory unless it’s for her sake.”
“Good to know.”
“Now let’s go upstairs and watch your mother teaching your future wife to cook.”
Dante laughed. “I don’t know who will be doing the cooking. I’m a pretty good cook, you know.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen your kitchen. You cook a mean TV dinner.”
