Matteo doesn’t need me to be a prosecutor. He doesn’t need me to be anything other than exactly what I am, sharp edges, smart-ass mouth, middle finger and all. He just sees me. The way she used to. And I’ve been so afraid of how much I needed that, how desperately I wanted someone to look at me the way he does, that I almost ran from it entirely.
But I’m done running.
“I want to do this for her. And for myself. This is what my heart wants, Dad. I’m trying to chase my own happiness and I’d appreciate it if you would support my journey.”
“Of course I want you to be happy, Linny,” he tells me.
I grin. “So you’re not mad?”
“Oh no, I’m furious. There goes my chance at re-election. Once people find out I have a Vitale as my son-in-law, I’ll lose all voter confidence.”
“We’ll take care of your re-election,” Matteo speaks up, voice clear and sure.
I turn to look at him with a frown. “You most certainly will not. There’s no need to rig him into power.” I look at my father. “Take this as a chance to retire. You’ve done enough. Time to live happily ever after with Kim.”
He chokes again while the woman at his side shifts in her seat. It’s impossible to miss her cheeks heating.
“You knew?” my dad whispers.
“What? That you’ve been dating your secretary? It’s pretty obvious, Daddy. And horribly cliché. But she makes you happy, right?”
He nods once and I smile.
“Then that’s all that matters. Mom would want us both to be happy and safe and healthy. That’s all I need from you, Daddy.”
He sighs softly, “To be honest, you never really needed much from me growing up, sweetheart. You were always so strong, clear headed. You went after what you wanted without a backwards glance. I’ve loved watching you grow into the smart, beautiful woman you are today. And I know without a doubt that you’ll be an amazing mother.”
My eyes well up with tears. “Aw, Daddy.”
He looks at Matteo next. “Take care of my daughter, Mr. Vitale.”
“You know I will,” Matteo replies simply.
Dinner progresses with light conversation. I tease both my dad and Kim about their relationship and it all ends on a lighthearted note. When it’s over, I take Matteo up to my childhood bedroom.
We both take in quietly, marveling at the place that made me into who I am today. Matteo pulls me into his arms as we stand in the middle of the room.
“I want to invest in the library,” he tells me. “You should get every single thing you want out of it.”
“Our library has to be bigger and better than the one your mom built. Valentina will read to little kids and I’ll donate to people and schools and it’ll be amazing.”
“I have no doubt, baby.”
“I wish I could have met her,” I say gently. “Your mom.”
“She would have loved you. I wish I could say the same for your mom,” he mutters.
“Hey,” I state, reaching up to cup his cheek. “My mother would have loved you for one simple reason, Matteo—you make me happy. All she ever wanted in life was for me to be happy. You’re my destiny, Matteo Vitale. I was always meant to end up with you.”
“Ti amo, principessa,” he murmurs, eyes roaming across my face before landing on my lips.
“I love you too.”
As always, when he kisses me, the world stops. But this time, I’m ready for it to start up again. Because I know he’ll be at my side through it all.
My safe space. My undoing. My everything.
Epilogue
