He just puts the boba cup in front of me on the kitchen island and then drops a paper bag next to it. I look inside. There’s a slice of apple pie and a chocolate donut. How does the saying go? The easiest way to a man’s ass is through his stomach…or something like that.
“I could hug you right now, sweetums.” I wink at his blank face while taking a long suck from the straw. Earl Grey milk tea, no ice, a little syrup, pearl boba and aloe—perfection, just how I like it. I pull the donut out of the bag and give it a huge bite. The sweet flavor of apple jam explodes on my tongue, making me moan. I lick it off my lips, and while still chewing, I take another bite.
“Like watching a python eat a mouse,” he declares, glancing at me with the usual cold anger, before moving with one of his cigars near the window.
I bite my tongue as a sassy reply tries to leave my lips. He brought me food and boba tea, and I want him to do it again, even if the price to pay is to shut my trap. The earthy, sweet smell of tobacco soon reaches me, but I strangely find myself used to it. Or maybe I’m so taken by the best apple pie I’ve ever eaten that I don’t care right now.
He waits for me to lick every little crumb off each finger before saying, “Send Mario a text.”
All the heavenly sweets turn to ash in my stomach as knots start to form. Luca doesn’t seem to notice my deep discomfort or just ignores it, handing me my phone.
“Now!” he hisses.
I grab it. Better do what he wants. I need to know where my half-brother is too. “What do you want me to say?”
“I’m not sure about this wedding. Can you help?”
I sniff derisively. “No.”
He growls angrily. But before he can voice that cold fury, I add, “I’d never ask for his help, not in a million years. He’d know it wasn’t me if I sent that.”
His jaw ticks as he keeps staring at me. “Then what would you text him?”
Fucking nothing! The idea of contacting him would be possible only in fiction. But this is the only way to know where that psycho is—Rami hasn’t texted me back yet.
“I’m not sure about the wedding. What should I do?”
“If you are fucking with me, I’ll personally cut that tongue of yours out.”
I huff. “Another threat, shocking.” Ungrateful asshole.
Message sent. He yanks the cell back as soon as I show him. I quickly grab my boba cup and take a shower, leaving Luca to his phone calls. From the bits and pieces I hear, he’s trying very hard to find out who’s behind the shooting. Of course, my family is enemy number one.
Two hours later, I’m in the kitchen again, munching on some nuts. No answer from Mario yet. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing. I’m trying not to think about it. That’s why I keep listing out loud more lame Mafia nicknames for Luca. His annoyed groans are spurring me on.
“Luca ‘Slasher’ Nero, ‘Steel-made,’ ‘Swordfish,’ ‘Shark.’”
I hear a racket on the other side of the front door just as his phone starts ringing. My heart beats faster as I’m reminded of last night’s events, and my body automatically moves toward him.
“Jesus Christ!” He swears with exasperation on the phone, stopping my advance. “Let him in!”
The door opens, and I see Fly looking frantically around the living room until his eyes find me.
“I’ll give you five minutes with him, no more.” Luca’s absurd words catch my attention.
“I’m not making instant noodles here,” I tsk.
“Five minutes, Fly,” he tells him as well. But my friend dismisses him with a wave of his hand before his body crushes into me. Ah, it has been so long since I saw him. Almost two months. The feel of his arms around me and his familiar fresh-rain smell make me smile on his shoulder. Warmth. If only I could keep it with me.
“Art, is it really you?” His voice breaks a little. I bet those sweet gray eyes are watery. “Are you okay?”
Fly doesn’t seem to have any intention of letting me go. What’s with the sappy moment? I’m going to add to it if I don’t lighten the mood.
“Of course! There’s only one of me, I’m a limited edition, buddy,” I chuckle.
“More endangered species,” Luca grunts.
“I heard what happened. Why didn’t you tell me?” Fly sounds worried and irked. He grabs me by the shoulders to look at my face. His blond hair’s gotten longer, past his shoulders. I forgot how ethereally beautiful he is.
